You’re retiring at 55 and looking for a new home. You want a place that’s easy to get around, with plenty of space and amenities. Also, a quiet one where you can relax after a long day at work. Whether moving into a 55+ apartment in Houston, TX, or a home, it’s important to be mindful of the breed you bring into the space if you want to have a dog. While all dogs are unique and have their personality traits and needs, certain breeds have been more prone to health problems as they age.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a short-muzzled dog with a short snout. This means he has a large head and a heavy body, which can sometimes cause breathing difficulties. Also, he’s prone to skin problems due to his heavy coat of hair (or lack thereof), and his heavy weight puts him at risk for joint issues later in life.
If you’re still interested in adopting an English Bulldog despite these potential health issues, ensure he gets plenty of exercise every day so that he doesn’t become overweight or obese as an adult.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a popular dog breed, and with good reason. They are highly intelligent, loyal and protective dogs that love to please their owners. They also have a good temperament with children and other animals — as long as they’ve been socialized early in life.
However, German Shepherds require lots of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you don’t have time or energy to give your furry friend what it needs daily, this might not be the best breed for your life in a retirement community apartment.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are an amiable breed but can be extremely energetic. If you want a quiet and sedate home, this is not the dog for you! However, if you’re looking for a companion who will play fetch with you every night and enjoy long walks in the park or along the beach, then this may be just what you need.
Golden Retrievers require lots of exercise and room to run around! They tend to bark excessively when left alone (which could lead to neighbors calling animal control) and get into trouble when bored (like chewing up your furniture).
If these things sound like something that would make life difficult for your golden retriever, consider one of the other breeds instead.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is not an ideal dog for apartment living. They are very active and energetic and need a lot of exercise to stay happy. These dogs can be destructive if they don’t get enough physical activity, so you must have a safe place for them to run off their energy when you’re not home or when there’s bad weather outside.
Siberian Huskies also do not do well living in close quarters with other animals—they may even attack other pets if they feel threatened by them!
Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier is a small dog breed that can be high-energy and difficult to train. This dog requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. If you live in an apartment or condo, a Bull Terrier may not be the best fit for your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this list has given you some ideas of what to look for when choosing a dog breed to retire with. The hardest part is deciding which one will be best for your lifestyle—but once you do, it will be a smooth transition into retirement with your new companion.
