Dogs for older owners and retirees

About dogs for older owners and retirees

Retirement can be the perfect time for a dog: more hours at home, more time for walks and a routine that suits a companion animal. Choosing the best dog for an elderly person is about energy, size, lead manners and planning ahead as much as breed. This page covers dogs for retired people, the charities that help older owners, and what to ask a breeder.

What this work involves

A dog for an older owner should fit the life you have now and the one you expect in ten years’ time. Think about:

• Strength and stability. A young dog that pulls, jumps up or weaves under your feet is a fall risk. A calm adult with good lead manners may suit better than a puppy.
• Exercise. Many small dogs for seniors are content with two short walks and play at home, but every dog needs daily exercise and something to think about.
• Grooming. Some low-shedding breeds need clipping every few weeks, which is a regular cost.
• Lifespan. Many small breeds live well into their teens, so a written care plan makes sense for owners of any age.
• Cost. Insurance premiums rise as dogs age, which matters on a fixed income.

Searches for dogs for pensioners UK often lead straight to puppies, but adult dogs from breeders and rescues deserve serious consideration.

Who trains and supplies these dogs in the UK

Most companion dogs come from private breeders, from hobby breeders to licensed breeding businesses, and are trained by their owners. Some breeders occasionally rehome adult dogs, such as retired breeding bitches or young dogs that did not suit the show ring. Dogs Trust and Blue Cross rehome adult dogs, and the Greyhound Trust rehomes retired racing greyhounds through more than 50 volunteer-led branches, whose volunteers work to match each dog to the right home.

The Cinnamon Trust describes itself as the national charity for older people, the terminally ill and their pets. Its practical help is for pet owners who are over 65 or terminally ill: volunteers help with dog walking, trips to the vet and short-term fostering during hospital stays, and the Trust does not charge for its help. Its free Pet Profiling service, which is open to all owners, lets you arrange in advance for your pet to come into the Trust’s care if you die or move into nursing care. Profiled pets then live in one of the Trust’s two sanctuaries or in a foster home, never in kennels or a cattery, and the Trust also keeps information on pet-friendly care homes.

For training, the Royal Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme is open to dogs of any age and to owners of any fitness level or disability. Canine Breeder lists breeders; it does not supply or train dogs.

Breeds and lines

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: affectionate, adaptable and small. Ask about the parents’ heart screening and other health tests.
• Bichon Frise: cheerful and portable, with a low-shedding coat that needs regular grooming.
• Shih Tzu: a sturdy little companion with modest exercise needs and a long coat that many owners keep clipped short.
• Greyhound (retired racer): gentle and quiet indoors and usually happy with two short walks a day, though a large dog to lift into a car.
• Poodle (Miniature): intelligent, trainable and low-shedding.
• Whippet: quiet at home, short-coated and easy to care for, but with a strong instinct to chase.

What to ask a breeder

1. Do you ever have adult or retired dogs looking for homes, and how do they walk on a lead?
2. How much exercise and grooming will this dog need at two years old, and at ten?
3. How do the parents behave in a quiet household, and do they jump up at visitors?
4. Which health tests have both parents had, and how do the results compare with the Royal Kennel Club Health Standard for the breed?
5. If my health or circumstances change, will you take the dog back, and may I name you in my care plan for the dog?

Frequently asked questions

What is the best dog for an elderly person?

A calm, affectionate dog of a size you can handle, with good lead manners. Small companion breeds, retired greyhounds and adult dogs with a known temperament are all popular; energy level and strength matter more than breed name.

Am I too old to get a puppy?

There is no rule against it, but think honestly about a dog that may live 12 to 15 years or more. Many older owners choose an adult dog, and many make a written plan with family, the breeder or the Cinnamon Trust for who will care for the dog if they cannot.

What happens to my dog if I go into hospital or a care home?

If you are over 65 or terminally ill, the Cinnamon Trust can arrange short-term fostering while you are in hospital. Its Pet Profiling service provides lifelong care for profiled pets whose owners have died or moved into nursing care, and it keeps information on pet-friendly care homes. Set up a Pet Profile before you need it.

Breeders who place adult dogs, or who raise calm, easy-going companions suited to older owners, are welcome to list on Canine Breeder.