Dogs and the Elderly

How the right dog can make old age a pleasure…

There is increasing scientific evidence suggesting that elderly people benefit greatly from pet ownership. A dog can provide companionship, a greater sense of security, the opportunity (and reason) for greater exercise and the chance to interact with other dog owners.

In fact, the benefits a dog can bring to the elderly is now even being recognised in nursing homes, with some either allowing pets, having a designated pet or arranging for pets to visit at specific times.

Having a dog offers an elderly person innumerable benefits, from making them feel useful again (even the simple act of walking and feeding a dog can do that) to providing a deterrent to potential burglars. However, it should be remembered that taking care of a dog requires a considerable commitment, so the following needs to be kept in mind when choosing a dog for an elderly person:

Size – a large, strong dog is impractical for an elderly person. It should be small enough to be handled easily.

Exercise requirements – dog ownership is a great way for an elderly person to get that all-important exercise. However, owning a dog that needs long walks twice or more a day (a Border Collie, for example) is asking too much of even the most active senior.

Temperament – the dog should be easily trained, reliable and even-tempered.

Grooming requirements – avoid breeds that are high-maintenance. Endless baths, brushing and/or clipping would quickly take their toll.

Smaller dogs are generally felt to be best for elderly people. Recommended breeds include:
•    Australian Terrier
•    Chihuahua
•    Miniature Poodle
•    Schnauzer
•    Cocker Spaniel
•    Beagle
•    Boston Terrier
•    Corgi
•    Pug
•    Maltese
•    French Bulldog
•    Yorkshire Terrier

Before choosing a dog, however, speak to the breeder as there are always exceptions in every breed. There is also the issue of how much energy an elderly person has to devote to the task of training. For that reason, it may be better to adopt an older dog through an organisation like the RSPCA rather than buying a puppy.

Images by: moaan and Michael Skelton