If you are looking for the best hypoallergenic dog breeds for seniors, you’re in luck.
I weeded through all the hypoallergenic dogs out there to pick out only the best!
All of these breeds would make ideal pets for our older generations.
Read on to find out why they’re such awesome choices!
Related: Choosing the Best Dog Breeds for the Elderly
Hypoallergenic Breeds for Seniors
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1. Poodle
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkfGZBSH1lH/?tagged=poodle
When it comes to the Poodle, you have a few options in size; toy, mini, medium and standard. The range in sizes is from about 9.5 inches up to 24 inches.
- No matter the size, the Poodle is playful and smart!
- He has a lot of energy, so if you are an active senior, he is a good fit for you. Or maybe he can help to make you a little more active.
- He can get bored easily, and then will find fun for himself, which isn’t always a good thing.
- The toy breed is good with some outdoor exercise and then will gladly snuggle with you inside.
Related: Worst Dog Breeds For Seniors
2. Mini Schnauzer
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkdBTpIg_SQ/?tagged=minischnauzer
This bearded guy is very alert and loyal.
- Once fully grown, he is going to weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and stand about 12-14 inches tall.
- The mini Schnauzer will be great with your grandkids! As long as they don’t bring about anything smaller than he is (like mice, or hamsters).
- His wiry coat will have to be stripped from time to time.
3. Maltese
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He is a great fit the older generations because he tends to get separation anxiety when left for too long.
- He would love to be the companion of a retiree!
- Also, he sheds very little, so not much in the way of dog hair laying around. However, he still needs to be brushed and groomed, but that is just good quality time spent with his owner.
- Your Maltese might be a good candidate for using puppy pads
, he is kind of notorious for difficulty in housebreaking.
4. Yorkshire Terrier
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkfbThYlYBz/?tagged=yorkie
I knew someone with a Yorkie once! She was the cutest little thing too, but she thought she was bigger than she really was.
- Active during the day, she loves to curl up and cuddle too. He will definitely announce visitors!
- You can get a hold on his voice early on, no one wants a barker, but it is not horrible for him to do so, especially if your elder lives alone.
- He doesn’t require lots of exercise, a walk will do him good.
Related: Small Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds – Terriers
5. Bolognese
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjzhkWenuLk/?tagged=bolognesedog
Super cute, he looks just like a stuffed animal! I promise you he is real.
- He is a quiet and low energy dog, perfect for a senior master! If there is a dog that almost never sheds, he is the one, and for the icing on the cake, he is easy to train.
- All of that great stuff being said about the Bolo, he can be hard to find. He is part of the Bichon family (which also includes the Maltese).
- He will love his quality time with you while you brush him (he needs it often, so he doesn’t matte).
- Some say he even comes off as telepathic because he has such a skill at reading body language.
Now that you know which five breeds are our top picks, let’s talk a bit about a few more things you need to know before bringing home a dog for a senior.
What to consider when adopting a hypoallergenic dog for seniors
1. Make sure dogs are allowed!
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that your senior’s housing facility allows dogs! This usually isn’t an issue for seniors who live in their own homes, but even then, if they’re living in a retirement community there could be HOA rules against certain breeds.
If they’re living in a retirement home or assisted living facility, the rules are even more strict. A nursing home is unlikely to allow dogs, but facilities where seniors have their own apartments may be a bit more lax on that rule.
2. Consider an older dog
Consider adopting an older dog rather than puppy for your senior. There are two reasons for this:
- An older dog is usually calmer and easier to manage than a puppy. They’ve most likely received at least some basic training.
- Seniors and older dogs can relate to each other better. I saw a wonderful news story about a rescue that only takes in older dogs, and they bring them to visit with seniors regularly. They form such amazing bonds!
- While we don’t want to think about our grandparents or parents passing on, it can be brutal on a dog to lose their person. I know it seems morbid to say, but an older dog won’t have to spend as much time without their beloved human than a puppy would.
3. Choose a budget-friendly dog
I’m not talking about the cost of the dog, but rather the dog’s maintenance. One of the reasons that smaller breeds make great hypoallergenic dogs for seniors is that they aren’t as expensive to own. Many seniors are on a tight budget and can’t really afford thousands of dollars a year to own a dog.
You still need to buy high-quality kibble and healthy dog treats, but chances are you won’t be going through 60-pounds of food a month! As the owner of two large dog breeds, I can tell you that I spend about $100 a month, give or take, on dog food alone.
By comparison, the average cost to feed a poodle is about $125 a year, according to the Poodle Forum. That seems a bit low to me, but maybe it’s because I’m used to feeding big dogs! Still, I would say it costs at least half as much to feed a smaller dog than a large breed.
Small breed beds and accessories also cost a lot less! When I shop for toys, I’m always excited to see low prices…until I realize that it’s for a teeny toy
I have found that small dogs love to cuddle. Well, I guess all dogs do, but it is just easier for the smaller ones to curl up in your lap. The bonus of these hypoallergenic breeds for seniors is when they are in your lap, you won’t start having an allergy attack!
While these are our top picks for seniors, there are other great hypoallergenic breeds out there as well. If you want to keep it small, check out our list of small breed hypoallergenic dogs.
Can you think of any other great hypoallergenic dog breeds for seniors? Share them in the comment section below!
