12 Best Dogs for Seniors — our top picks
French Bulldog
French Bulldog: small-sized, low energy and medium trainability — manageable on a leash and satisfied by a gentler daily routine. Muscular flat-faced breed with bat ears and adaptable personality. Excellent apartment companion.
English Bulldog
English Bulldog: medium-sized and low energy — manageable on a leash and satisfied by a gentler daily routine. Iconic British breed with distinctive wrinkled face and muscular build. Gentle, courageous companion despite breathing challenges. Worth knowing before you commit: the English Bulldog is stubborn enough that first-time owners often struggle.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability — manageable on a leash and satisfied by a gentler daily routine. Short-legged herding dog with fox-like face. Intelligent and affectionate companion, royal favorite. Worth knowing before you commit: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability. Gentle toy spaniel with silky coat and sweet expression. Perfect family companion with sporting dog heritage. Worth knowing before you commit: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does badly left alone all day.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu: small-sized, medium energy and medium trainability. Flowing-coated toy breed bred to be a companion. Friendly and outgoing with all people. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Shih Tzu needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability. American Gentleman with tuxedo markings and friendly disposition. Intelligent and easy-going companion.
Havanese
Havanese: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability. Cuban toy breed with silky coat and cheerful disposition. Adaptable and social companion dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Havanese needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Basset Hound
Basset Hound: medium-sized and low energy. Low-slung French scenthound with excellent nose and gentle nature. Calm, patient family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the Basset Hound is stubborn enough that first-time owners often struggle.
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise: small-sized, medium energy and medium trainability. Cheerful white powder-puff with hypoallergenic coat. Playful and adaptable companion with minimal shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Bichon Frise needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Pug
Pug: small-sized, medium energy and medium trainability. Charming flat-faced toy breed with wrinkled face and cheerful personality. "Multum in parvo" - much in little. Worth knowing before you commit: the Pug sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Cavapoo
Cavapoo: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross. Gentle and friendly with reduced shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Cavapoo needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Cockapoo
Cockapoo: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability. Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross, one of the first designer dogs. Friendly and adaptable family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Cockapoo needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking based on your own answers.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for seniors and older adults
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a popular choice, but large-sized and very high energy put it at odds with seniors and older adults. On top of that, the Belgian Malinois needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is a popular choice, but very high energy put it at odds with seniors and older adults. On top of that, the Australian Cattle Dog needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a popular choice, but very high energy put it at odds with seniors and older adults. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Border Collie needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the best dog for seniors and older adults?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the French Bulldog ranks as the top choice for seniors and older adults, followed by the English Bulldog and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
- How was this list of dogs for seniors and older adults chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for seniors and older adults — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for seniors and older adults?
- The Belgian Malinois, The Australian Cattle Dog, The Border Collie all rank near the bottom for seniors and older adults despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.