Losing a loved one is a challenging experience, but having pets can help ease the pain. Pets are loyal companions who can provide love and affection when needed. They also provide companionship for those who live alone in independent living communities. Some dogs are especially good at being companion animals because they’re calm and loyal. Here are some breeds that will make great pets:
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu are a great breed for aging loved ones to keep around. These puffy, friendly dogs have been depicted in Chinese art for centuries and were once used as lapdogs for Chinese royalty. They’re known for their sweet, gentle nature, which makes them good companions for people who want to spend time cuddling on the couch.
Shih Tzus are also great if you have allergies because they don’t shed much hair—the exception being when they get anxious or excited, at which point their fur fluffs out like a cotton ball doused with hairspray. This makes them excellent at cuddling next to someone who needs help breathing through an asthma attack but might be bad news if you’re prone to sneezing attacks triggered by dog dander floating through the air around your head during regular everyday activities like talking or eating dinner with friends or family members who aren’t allergic (but you should still do this anyway).
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a small dog with a big personality. This breed has been popularized by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Johnny Depp, who often dress their French Bulldogs in designer clothing. A loyal companion with an affectionate nature, the Frenchie is a great family pet and also makes for a good solo pet as well. In addition to being intelligent, these pups are easy to train—and they’re even known to learn commands in other languages!
Pug
Pugs are a great companion breed. They are affectionate, loyal, and playful. Pugs don’t require a lot of exercises and they’re good with kids and other pets too!
The small dog personality type is ideal for aging loved ones who live alone in retirement communities because they do not shed or have an odor like many breeds of dogs. They will be happy to spend the day lying next to you on your favorite chair or sofa while you watch TV or read a book!
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Plenty of dog breeds love to cuddle and be around people, but the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the few that can do it all. As a family-friendly breed, this dog is gentle, loving, and affectionate. It also loves being around children it will do best in a home with kids around constantly.
You’ll have no trouble keeping your Cavalier busy because, as an active breed with lots of energy (and therefore lots of playtimes), it needs exercise daily. They enjoy running around outdoors or playing fetch inside the house; hiking with you on trails is also suitable for them if you have time for long walks together. But don’t worry about getting tired from all this activity: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s small size makes it easy to carry around while adventuring outdoors!
Pomeranian
Though it may be hard to believe, Pomeranians are relatively small dog that makes great companions for older folks. They’re loyal and affectionate and will quickly bond with their owners—even if they aren’t allowed outside too often. They don’t shed much hair, which is good news for people who have allergies (or hate cleaning up pet hair).
Poms require minimal exercise time and enjoy spending time with their human companions as much as possible. They’re also easy to train, making them ideal pets for older folks looking for companionship but might not be able to train a large dog independently.
Conclusion
We hope we can help you choose the right dog breed for your independent living needs. If any of these dogs fit in nicely with your family, then now is the time to start looking. Try not to overthink it—there are so many great dogs! The best thing you can do right now is to get out there and find one of them. Good luck!
