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It's the Golden Years.
Time to move out of the rat race and into a more relaxing way of life.
And there’s no better way to spend this stage of life than with a doggy companion.
Science has proven many of the benefits on physical and emotional health.
The companionship of a dog has been proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure,
as well as reduce anxiety and depression.
Plus, exercising your dog is a great way to stay active and fit.
Let’s check out seven best small dog breeds for seniors.
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7.
West Highland White Terrier (Westie)
The wee white Westie is surely no stranger to the life of a companion dog.
The West Highland White Terrier is a friendly, low maintenance small dog with a rugged, non-fragile
build.
The happy and inquisitive West Highland White Terrier is always busy and involved in something.
At the same time, he is also among the friendliest and most affectionate of terriers.
He’s always up for a walk or just a bit of play indoors.
His playful and loving personality will surely keep you entertained and his desire to romp
and play will keep you active and alert.
6.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu was bred specifically to be a companion.
And that face!
Those big dark eyes looking up at you with that sweet expression!
It’s no wonder why the little “Lion Dog” has delighted owners for a thousand years.
As a small dog bred to spend most of his day inside a royal palace, he makes a great pet
if you live in an apartment or can’t get out much.
He likes nothing better than to be held, stroked, petted and pampered by his owner, and is perfectly
happy sitting with you for hours.
This is a noble breed but he is never too proud for a roll on the floor with a treasured
squeaky toy.
5.
Pomeranian
When you hear the word Pomeranian images of pampered pooches being carried by well-heeled
socialites comes to mind.
But, the tiny, foxy-faced Pomeranian is one of the most popular toy breeds with both the
elite and commoners alike.
He’s playful, lively and alert and is often described by his owners as a furry little
angel.
With his small size, his exercise needs can mostly be met inside, but he does like to
get out for short strolls.
It’s hard to go out with a Pomeranian and not get attention.
Oh and did you know that Mozart dedicated an aria to Pimperl, his beloved Pomeranian.
4.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
If the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is good enough for the Queen of England, well….
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II has owned more than 30 Corgis over 8 decades?
The Corgi is known for being happy, loving, and intelligent, but can have a stubborn or
independent streak at times.
He is easy to train, but don't expect your Pembroke to be subservient.
He is affectionate and companionable and is considered by many to be among the most agreeable
of the small house dogs.
He enjoys playing with his family and may require a bit more activity from his owner
than other dogs on this list.
He is a herding dog, by the way.
So if you’re an active senior, the Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgi might be the breed
for you.
3.
Maltese
There’s not a lot more we can say about the Maltese that we haven’t said in multiple
videos.
He’s a great little companion.
He’s active and gentle and treats everyone he meets as a friend.
Because he's so people-oriented, he takes well to training and responds to positive
reinforcements such as food rewards, praise, and play.
He’s playful, but he’s been sitting on laps since the Bible was a work in progress.
He enjoys quality lap time as you stroke his long, white, silky coat.
2.
Bichon Frisé
Also frequently featured on this channel is the cousin of the Maltese, the Bichon Frisé.
Like the Maltese and the Shih Tzu, this gentle, little, white dog was bred to be a companion.
The Bichon Frisé is considered a great all-around pet.
He’s a playful yet gentle dog.
The Bichon is quite active, but because he is small, he doesn't need too much room to
romp and is suitable for apartment living.
He’s happy with a run around your living room.
If you love the Bichon, you might like this shirt we’ve got on Amazon.
There’s a link in the description for this and other Animal Facts Merch.
1.
French Bulldog
It’s hard to mistake the one of a king French Bulldog, well perhaps you could mistake him
for a Boston Terrier, a dog that would also be great for seniors, but didn’t make it
to this list.
The Frenchie is playful, alert, adaptable, and completely irresistible.
He doesn’t require a lot of outdoor exercise and isn’t known to be a barker.
This little charmer is affectionate and intelligent and enjoys making new friends, both animal
and human.
Unlike a lot of other breeds on this list, the French Bulldog sports a short easy-care
coat to accompany his easygoing personality.
While the dogs on this list are awesome, the truth is that you can have any dog you want
if you have the ability to care for him.
You might even find your retirement companion as close as the nearest animal shelter.
Just because a dog finds himself in a shelter doesn’t mean he is damaged or flawed.
Many times, he’s there not because of his own doing, but of that of former owners.
You at least owe it to yourself to take a trip down to your local shelter to see what
kind of love you might be missing.
If you like this video, check out some of our other videos here.
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And as always, catch ya next time.