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Since both our dogs died of old age we just haven't had the heart to take on any more. We worry that we may be the ones who die first. My daughter lends us her little dog now and then when she wants a break. We love having him but also feel relieved to give him back after about a week's dog sitting.

Cats are good but Grommie falls between big and small. No silly haircuts or bottom cleaning

ty Susan again...

wow judgemental much?

To each their own, if you get a big dog there is a company of volunteers, "Poops" they walk any size dog, and another company, call " Diry Dogs Done Cheap", so you don't have to walk or wash the any size dog., little dogs are easy, but bigger dogs are a hand full and that's why I changed my mind and got 2 budgies

Dogs don’t just come in size - big or small. The different breeds have different instinctive behaviour ie herding, sight hounds etc. what is important is having a dog in which the owner understands the inherent traits of the breed, and can train themselves, and the dog to accomodate for this. The age of the owner is not as relevant as the knowledge of the owner.

It's vicious so that no one will mess with our senior citizens who have done so much for us

I've been thinking about this too. I've always had Labradors, but I would consider a mature one from a rehoming place. I like beagles too, so this would be a good size. Not keen on little yappy dogs

depends on training of the dog more than the size

It’s up to the person

I dont take my little dog for walks, not my thing.

Small dogs aren't necessarily more manageable. It comes down to the time you put into training, obedience, how much the dog trusts you, etc.

I understand the concern for "manageable", but for me, I am a German Shepard lover and would take the manageable risk of having what breed I love over being a little age conscience. Shepards are really gentle and obedient and great protectors. But to each his own and just my thoughts!

Small

Individual choice - if they can handle a dog and its well trained and obedient fine - if they are a bundle of energy and power stick with medium or small dogs.

Up to the individual, if an elderly person can manage walking a large dog why shouldn’t they have one

It's cats for me.

Big dog, small dog big dogs… luv being in an animal world I’d have either or. A home is not a home without a dog/pet

Small

Have you ever been tripped, or known someone who has been tripped by a happy little dog? Have you ever been knocked flying by a large dog? Nothing to do with age or the size of the dog.

They can get whatever size dog they want

Everyone should stick with whatever they choose to stick with - regardless of age, gender, colour, nationality, breed, size

What is it with the younger generation always typecasting older people and telling them what to do, I am not a dog owner nowadays but am sure people consider what they are doing and in the past I have found larger dogs are easier to train and obey commands in comparison to some of the smaller erratic ones. I am more concerned with people who own known vicious unpredictable dogs and allow them nearer children and frail people.

Maybe even a tortoise so they can keep up with them? No ones business but their own.

Ummm , controversial but... they should get a cat 😉

Depends what they can manage. How active and healthy they are. I would pick small for myself because I couldn't lift a heavier dog nowadays.

Well, they're old. They earned their freedom and their choice. They deserve all the love and respect. If you see them struggling, assist them. No disrespect intended my friend 🙏🏽🙏🏽

It is up to the person my grandmother had a bull mastiff who was very well behaved

That's very ageist, why can't they freely choose as you have freely chosen.

For myself, I have always chosen small dogs. I imagine, in time I will continue to do the same. I have found, as a short person (And getting shorter by the day!) that it is easier to manage smaller breed dogs, however, I do believe that it becomes a question for the Indvidual!

Who cares, whatever they want

I think small dogs are more manageable.

whatever they prefer

Who has the right to tell anyone what kind of dog they should have. I'll have Siberian Huskies till I die and I'm gonna be 60 in 2 months. Dogs are companions, family members, some think of them as children. As you age you should be able to enjoy whatever pleasures in life that bring you joy even if that's a larger size dog. Let's see how you feel about the subject when your old! Smh

Seniors should probably not have a dog at all due to their claws and the very thin skin of seniors.

I would choose a small dog I cannot ran but can walk everywhere

If you have a Great Dane Trained properly a 24 month old can walk it in perfect safety. The only problems that arise is when you do not bother training your animal at all and let it do as it pleases.

no dogs no comment

Elderly with mobility problems are better able to handle small dogs from a safety perspective and to enjoy also.

Small dogs can easily be tripped over by an elderly person.

My recommendation for seniors is always to consider adopting a greyhound. They are large enough to not be a trip hazard, not too large and strong, very gentle and generally come fully trained. We have the same issue where I live with older people owning dogs that are to large for them to handle, a close friend of mine was attacked by an older ladies doberman a few years ago it was simply to much dog for her to handle. I think so many people fall into the trap of I've always owned this breed and it's what I will continue to own not taking into consideration their own changing capabilities. I have had Australian Cattle Dogs my whole adult life but as much as I love them I am definitely aware that it is a breed I won't always be able to own, require a huge amount of exercise and can be quite strong. Everyone needs to be honest with themselves about their abilities and lifestyle when considering a new dog.

I would have a small dog easier to look after

Deberian de tener perros mas pequeños

You have to be able to control your dog whether it's trained or not. Big dogs can inflict a lot more damage to someone than a small dog. Once they have a taste for it it may bite more people. I don't think most people would feel good about that (remember I said most people). On the other hand, if the dog is too big for the owner they can be either knocked down or dragged along at the dogs pleasure. Either way, they may hurt themselves very badly. For everyones safety, get a loving pet you can control.

each to their own

Its there own choice and maybe they have had their dogs for a long time so are thoroughly attached to them.

Like everything in life it is there choice ..n so long as they don't expect everyone too accept there dog as bring family all good with me

to each there own

Small if you are older, easier to look after, less exercise needed, etc, won't eat as much, cheaper to keep.

i find big dogs, and especially younger ones, need more exercise than I can manage.

We have 2 small dogs. My parents got given a dog for free as the family split up and the Granny couldn't look after such a large dog because of her knees. He's an Australian Shepherd and Mum can't walk him at all because he has pulled Mum over but Dad loves him and walks him, spoils him rotten. Feeds him all sorts of foods dogs shouldn't eat and he's over weight to say the least. He's company for Dad when he walks his 10 k walks twice a week and he's company for Mum when Dad is out. Mum needs some one when Dad goes out all day so either my sister or brother goes over. This is so Mum doesn't fall down the stairs again and makes Dad rush home from what he's doing. Dad needs a break from Mum as she's becoming hard work in her old age and she forgets things and burns things and she can't smell the food burning which is quite a worry. Dad does a great job looking after Mum and the dog. Our 2 little boys Toby and Max are so little compared to their Max, we call Maxi but our Max still gets confused when we are over there. I think owning a dog is great, you're never alone and you always have some thing to love and cuddle, talk to, look after and they pick up on your feelings. They know if you're sad, happy and ours can do silly things to make us laugh. Wouldn't not have a dog in our lives but our next puppy will be a girl. Fingers crossed but of course that means our old boy Toby would have passed and that is going to be a very sad day for us. He's 15 almost 16, sleeps a lot but the keeps on. Which is a miracle in my books.

I worry about them getting hurt.

Where we live, dogs are welcome, but with some restrictions. They must weigh less than 40 pounds, and must be at least one year old. Recently, an older neighbor was walking her big dog, when she fell and broke her hip,because of the dog.On the other hand, another elderly neighbor was walking her son's smaller dog, and she tripped over him, and hit her head,, and bruised her knee.I guess it should be up to the individual. Edited 05-Oct-24 13:02pm

I am a senior & do not want a dog have told my family if I am widowed I do not need a dog I have been looking after someone for the past 20 years to be not looking after someone would be all I would need, so do not have to worry how big or small a dog wold be. My daughter has trained therapy puppies seeing their photos & when they work is enough.

Anything else you want to put age restraints on? As long as the pets looked after it’s their business.

Depends on the seniors fitness when walking their animal.

Yes, a large dog could be dangerous. I was walking a small dog, and a car went past. She took off so fast that she pulled the leash right out of my hand! I was terrified because she went around the corner of my home, and I couldn't see her. She was fine, but I was so scared! She is a small dog too! It was so quick that I had no time to react!

If the elderly person has full control of the dog that isfine

If the elderly person is able to take care of a big dog or a small dog they should certainly do it. They know there limitations. The same applies to younger people. We all know our limitations and we should do what we are capable of. I guess the same applies to service dogs.

As long as it is well trained it shouldn't matter...

Each to his/her own.

Depends on where they are living, if in care, it would be limited to some facilities. I think a smaller dog would be more of a tripping hazard.

up to them

Depends on the senior and depends on the dog.

Having a dog and choice of dog is entirely up to the individual. I like all sort of dogs big or small but at the present time I have a mixed breed female who is desexed. She is my companion who loves to come in the car, she sits on my lap a lot of the time and she sleeps on her own sheet on my bed. She is a good watch dog and will let me know if someone comes to the door, but she isn't a barker. She is park Poodle and part C and the colour of the collie. Very smart. I would give her up for anyone.

I can't stand small yappy dogs.

The problem is NOT the age of the dog owner. ALL dogs should be trained, it starts with the human doing the right thing = putting in time and effort with training pups/dogs - calm dog and human!

Some of those Seniors might have had that dog all their lives which means they acquired it when they were younger and had no problems handling them at that time. As they grew older they still managed and now that dog is part of the family and they would not like to part with it unless they really had to because still living in their own homes means they had companionship especially if the children had grown and moved on. They would probably feel that dog would also miss them as well. I would be thinking of that side off things as well.Edited 05-Oct-24 10:19am

if you can't control your dog you shouldn't have one at all

Personal choice, what is manageable and comfortable for an individual's fitness level

they should stick with the small dogs only.

I definitely think Seniors should stick to small dogs.

I would imagine people in general who want to stay fit and healthy qould want bigger dogs which require more exercise in order for them to also get more exercise.Edited 05-Oct-24 09:51am

Depends on your personal mobility & strength. I have a rescue border collie now 13 years old who is ok but next dog will be smaller. I’m in my early seventies!

Give me a Shiba Inu any day. Although they can be an escape artist or difficult to lead their quite compact and don't cost an arm or a leg to fed them. However they love their walks so be prepared. A medium sized dog which has a double fur coat that only sheds seasonally.Edited 05-Oct-24 11:34am

I am what you call in my senior years and have two greyhounds. I have no problem controlling both of them and they are extremely friendly. The little dogs react by barking and pulling on their leads at my two gentle giants who just want to sniff and walk. I love all dogs and animals and I don’t think it’s any of our business what dogs seniors have as long as the dog Is cared for and not neglected. Many younger owners can’t control their dogs.

I think all these people who want to control other people, go live on a desert island, you apparently cant mind your own business. Dont know where you but it must be a crazy place, 77 years and never seen a senior picking dogs that don't suit, that sound more like projection from young "I want to control" people

I am over 70 and have a Jack Russell cross, so small to medium. When walking he has pulled me off my feet on more than one occasion. Has much more strength and agility than me. I feel many seniors handling large dogs would be greatly challenged.

I've always had big dogs I couldn't imagine myself with a little dog it would get under my feet and I also think it's a safety issue where a big dog would protect you better

Where I live most seniors have small dogs so there is no problem when they walk them some of the men have bigger dogs but they are all well trained and behave

If they can handle them, doesn't matter what size dog they choose. But, that goes for anyone. Someone inexperienced shouldn't get dogs that are known to be more difficult to train. People should also have dogs that suit their lifestyle. If you are sedentary and get a dog that is known to be active, it probably won't be a good experience. Having a hyper, happy, small dog probably isn't good for a frail, inactive senior anymore than a large, strong,active one is. A large, calm dog with good behavioural traits could be a very good fit. Examples include Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands... It all depends on the senior.

These questions..."should"? At this moment we still have choice. Dogs are family and especially so if you have lost a partner as you age. Most people have dogs that are trained and loyal. Size doesn't matter.

Depends on the breed & training - small dogs can also be problematic

It really depends upon how much strength seniors have maintained. And you have to take into consideration where you live as many senior apartment complexes will only allow small dogs. It seems like larger dogs like German Shepherds, Labs and Golden Retrievers are trained to be support dogs than smaller dogs, so in that case, you will see seniors with larger dogs. Any dog, large or small can get under foot and trip you. Before my mini pin died at age 18, he was constantly getting underfoot and tripping myself and my husband but fortunately, we both have very good balance and did not fall. I did know a man in his 80's whose kids got him a Lab puppy after his wife died so that he would have company. The dog tripped him many times and the man ended up in the hospital with bruises and broken bones.

Can be dangerous

Small always

I am senior and have a Bearded Collie which is fairly large and he is trained and listens when he is told to come or what ever he is hardly ever on a lead.

IT WAS LITTLE WHEN WE GOT JEFF NOW OPPS

I agree Susan 1265302, seniors should not have big dogs that are known for being strong. One senior where I live has a Doverman Pincher and she cannot control him and she is older and frail. The dog is not dog friendly and it is a huge accident waiting to happen. I'm all for people having dogs, I had dogs for 30 some years now and I know what I can handle. I have 2 medium size dogs that are very strong. I'm able to handle their strengh but I certainly know my limits and anything bigger than medium, I would struggle. The beautiful dog in my Profile picture is Bailey and she was a Black German Sheperd. She was the biggest dog I ever had. She was a dominant dog but she listen well and she was very slow walking. She loved people.

I have a small shitsu-cross....weighs 5 kilos and is a great little pet

To each there own. In my opinion, if they train there dog, it shouldn't be a big deal. It is the untrained dog that is the problem.

Whatever makes them happy.

You forgot the plus side of keeping them warm in winter!!

It isn't just the elderly. When walking our dog I sometimes see other owners of various ages struggling with a dog that is obviously too big for them. In one case there is a small woman who has two large dogs and has real problems trying to control them whenever they see another dog. It's not just walking them either. You have to be able to get it into the car when it's sick and needs to go to the vet.Edited 05-Oct-24 08:03am

it depends on the dog and the ability of the owner

depends on the agility of the senior

Depends on the agility of the human and the training and age of the dog. Small dogs tend to be to short/low for some elderly to bend down to. A well trained older big dog is okay. Personally I prefer small to medium well trained

a large dog means security for the elderly as my gran's German Shepherd was for her

I believe any size of dog is a great choice for the elderly