Are you desperate to have a dog in your life, but you worry that the long hours you spend at work or elsewhere outside of the home will be challenging for them?
This is a legitimate concern, as many dogs are prone to developing separation anxiety when left on their own for long periods of time. This is not only bad for your dog’s health, but it often manifests in destructive behaviors that will also be very bad for your home.
If you know you will need to leave your dog alone at home for long periods, then you should look for a breed with an independent personality and a low propensity to suffer from separation anxiety.
Read on for our list of dog breeds that are least likely to develop separation anxiety.
Note: While the personalities and temperaments of pure-bred dogs are predictable, the same is not true of mix-breed dogs. There is just no telling how the characteristics of the two breeds will combine and manifest in each unique pup. If you know that you need a dog with certain personality traits, it is worth adopting a pure-bred dog.
Basset Hound
It is impossible not to fall in love with a Basset hound’s adorable floppy ears, and their saggy skin means they always look like they’ve just rolled out of bed. And that’s not too far from the truth. These dogs love to sleep.
Basset hounds are affectionate and will love spending time together when you are around, but when you’re out, they are equally content to just snooze the day away.
Bullmastiff
One of the reasons dog ownership can be so rewarding is the bond of unconditional love and affection that forms between you and your pup. You can lose this to a certain extent when you adopt a low-anxiety dog. But not with a bullmastiff.
These are protective and affectionate pups that quickly form a close bond with their family. But these dogs don’t have a lot of energy, which means they won’t work themselves into a distressed state when they are home alone.
Chihuahua
While the Chihuahua might have a reputation as a little yapper and a bit territorial and aggressive, they aren’t clingy, which means they won’t fall to pieces when you leave them alone.
While they are very affectionate little dogs, they also have a very independent nature and won’t mind having some time to themselves to plot and scheme. Even better than one Chihuahua are two, who can play Pinky & The Brain together when you aren’t in.
Chow Chow
While the chow chow might look like a teddy bear, they are actually very independent dogs who prefer to be left to their own devices and aren’t actually that keen on pats and cuddles.
These dogs are a bit like cats, in that they will approach you when they want love and affection and promptly leave when they are done. They can be a little bit difficult to bond with, but they can also tolerate being left alone for long periods of time.
French Bulldog
The French bulldog is great for apartment dwellers who know they need to spend a lot of time out of the house, with their pup at home alone. This is because, while they are affectionate and will form a close bond with you, they are also incredibly lazy and love to sleep.
With a French bulldog, you will never feel like you are living with a dog who just isn’t interested in you, but when you are out they will be happy to spend the time sleeping or just puttering around the house.
Pug
Pugs, with their cute, flat faces, are lapdogs who will love to spend time with you, but they are lazy! Doing anything high energy for more than about five minutes will wear them out and see them lounging around for hours. If you exercise this dog before you go out, you will probably find them relaxing exactly where you left them when you get home.
The thing to be aware of with pugs is that they can be prone to a number of respiratory-related medical issues due to their flat noses.
Shar Pei
These wrinkly teddy bears are very independent, and they might even prefer when you aren’t around. As long as they have their own space and their own toys, you shouldn’t expect any trouble from these guys when you are out and about.
On the flip side, they can be very willful and difficult to train, so it is important to establish rules and who is boss from the outset. It can be worth it to invest in some professional training when they are puppies.
Need To Know
The above dog breeds will do better than most when left at home alone for extended periods of time, but all dogs need love and affection.
All dogs need a certain level of attention and to feel like they have a home where they are safe and loved. So, when you leave your dog alone for eight hours while you are at the office, you need to make sure that you have time for them when you’re home.
Proper mental stimulation, exercise, training, and love will make all the difference when it comes to your behavior, whether you are in the house or not.
Are you dealing with a dog that suffers from separation anxiety? Read our guide on what to do here.
FAQs
What dog breeds don’t suffer from separation anxiety?
If you are looking for dog breeds that are unlikely to suffer from separation anxiety when they aren’t with you, then prioritize looking for independent breeds. They don’t need human companionship, attention, and validation in the same way as many other dog breeds.
Good choices include the Chihuahua, chow chow, and Shar-Pei.
Which dog breeds are happy to be left alone?
If you want a dog who is happy to be left alone, then it can be a good idea to choose a fairly low-energy breed. Basically, a lazy dog who is happy to spend most of the day sleeping when you aren’t around.
Good choices include the pug, French bulldog, and Basset hound.
Are you dealing with an anxious dog? Why not try the Original Calming Bed as a tool to help manage your dog’s stress and anxiety.
What do you do when you need to leave your dog at home alone? Share your tips and tricks with the community in the comments section below.
