Dogs for seniors: calm, easy and not too big
For a peaceful retirement, the best choice is a calm dog that is easy to train, small or medium-sized, and doesn’t pull on the leash. Our list combines these criteria.
Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.
Refine with your own criteria-

Shih Tzu
Tibet / China · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
United Kingdom · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

French Bulldog
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · calm · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Coton de Tulear
Madagascar · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Havanese
Cuba · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Bichon Frise
Belgium / France · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Pug
China · Companion and toy dogs
Small · calm · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Boston Terrier
Boston, Massachusetts, United States · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Japanese Chin
Japan · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · average coat care
Sensitive to heat -

Clumber Spaniel
England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · calm · average coat care
Sheds a lot -

King Charles Spaniel
England · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Löwchen
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · moderate energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Chihuahua
Mexico · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Eurasier
Germany · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Pomeranian
Germany · Spitz and primitive types
Very small · moderate energy · high coat care
Sheds a lot -

Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire, England · Terriers
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Whippet
England · Sighthounds
Medium · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Avoid with cats -

Miniature Poodle
France · Companion and toy dogs
Small · high energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Continental Bulldog
Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Medium · moderate energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Basset Hound
Great Britain · Scent hounds
Small · calm · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Maltese
Malta, Mediterranean basin · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Lhasa Apso
Tibet · Companion and toy dogs
Very small · calm · very high coat care
High-maintenance coat -

Japanese Spitz
Japan · Spitz and primitive types
Small · moderate energy · average coat care
Sheds a lot -

Miniature Schnauzer
Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Small · moderate energy · high coat care
High-maintenance coat