5 Dog Breeds That Make Great Assisted Living Companion Dogs in Arizona

Are you looking to move into an assisted living community but do not want to leave your dog behind? Are you wanting to get a dog but worry you will not be able to bring them with you when you move into assisted living? 

Don’t worry, there are assisted living communities in Arizona that allow your pets to move in with you! Here at BridgeWater Assisted Living communities, we do allow our residents to bring their furry friends with them.

It’s important to note that there are some dog breeds that are better than others when it comes to life in assisted living in Arizona. For instance, smaller dog breeds tend to fare better as they do not need as much room or as much maintenance as larger dogs do. Even though many assisted living communities like ours have courtyards where you can walk your dog, these outdoor spaces are typically better-suited for smaller breeds than they are for larger breeds.

If you are looking to get or adopt a new dog, or if you already have a dog and you are wondering if they would do well moving into assisted living in Arizona with you, here are five dog breeds that we’ve found from experience that make good assisted living companion dogs:

1. Poodle

Poodles are great companion dogs for seniors, thanks to their high intelligence level and highly-trainable demeanor. Poodles shed lightly, which means you don’t have to worry about clumps of hair all over your apartment. Plus, they are content with just one daily walk and after that, they’re happy just lying on the couch.

Another plus of choosing a poodle is this breed comes in three different sizes, so you can choose the size that’s best for your living arrangements – toy, miniature or standard. You do not need to worry if the apartment you are living in is on the smaller side, a toy or miniature poodle will still fit!

2. Maltese

Maltese dogs tend to be anywhere between four to seven pounds, one of the many reasons that they’re considered great lap dogs. They do like going outside for short walks and running around the house, but they don’t need much outdoor exercise other than a walk every day. They may dash around your living space, but they’ll be content with that. These dogs also tend not to shed heavily, but they do require a biweekly bathing and a semi-regular brushing.

Maltese dogs are also commonly used as emotional support dogs and can be trained as a medical alert dog, since they bond closely with their owners. They are also very friendly and get along great with other pets, as long as they are socialized from a young age. 

3. Pug

Pugs don’t need much exercise at all and would rather spend time indoors than outdoors, making them perfect to cuddle in an armchair with! They do not do well in high temperatures, which is one of the main reasons they prefer to be inside.

They are loyal and affectionate and completely devoted to their owners. They also don’t bark much, but they do snore. Pugs do like to nap a lot. They are fairly low maintenance dogs, other than they may shed more heavily than other breeds.

4. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu dogs are a highly adaptable breed, meaning that they can thrive in whatever their living situation is. Even though they are a really playful breed, they’re not overly active. This means that they are good with one short walk a day.

They like to be by their owners’ sides and are great lap dogs, since they are mostly looking for attention and cuddles! They tend to be more welcoming to both other pets and strangers, meaning they will do quite well living in an assisted living community.

5. French Bulldog

French bulldogs do enjoy plenty of human contact, but they do not need to get a lot of exercise. A short walk will do just fine, or a bit of playtime where they can run around would do them just fine. They’re not yappy dogs even though they can be a bit territorial.

One thing to note is that French Bulldogs are prone to heat exhaustion. This means that they should not be outside for too long if it’s too hot, if they go out at all. They do prefer to be inside where it is cooler, which can be easier on you, as you probably do not want to go outside in the extreme heat either!

If your dog breed was not mentioned above, have no fear! These are just some of the dog breeds that would make a great assisted living companion dog in Arizona. If you have a dog that you’d like to bring with you that we did not mention above, reach out to us here at BridgeWater Assisted Living and we are happy to see what we can do.

It is always worth asking any assisted living in Arizona what their rules regarding pets are and if there are any specific breeds that are not allowed to live in the community.

If you are still on the fence about getting a dog, we hope that by knowing you can bring your furry friend with you to an assisted living community helps make the decision easier. Additionally, there are so many great reasons as to why having a dog is great for seniors. Dogs help keep seniors active, by giving them reasons to get outside, get more fresh air, and go on short walks. They also can help reduce any loneliness that some seniors tend to feel as they age. Dogs can give everyone a sense of purpose, and that applies to seniors too.

We love all of the companion dogs living at BridgeWater!