Separation anxiety is a common problem for many dog owners. Dogs with separation anxiety become extremely anxious when left alone and may exhibit destructive behaviors, excessive barking or howling, and even self-harm. It can be a stressful and challenging situation for both the dog and their owner, especially if you spend a great deal of time at work, which causes many people to wonder if there are any breeds that don’t mind staying home alone. Fortunately, there are several, so keep reading as we list them here so you can see if one will be right for your home.
The 16 Dog Breeds With Low Separation Anxiety
1. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is known for their long, floppy ears and soulful eyes. They are a medium-sized breed with a calm and friendly temperament, making them excellent family pets. Basset Hounds have a low tendency for separation anxiety and can tolerate being alone for several hours.
2. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog, also known as a Frenchie, is a small breed that is popular for their cute and affectionate personality. Their muscular bodies and distinctive bat-shaped ears give them a unique look. French Bulldogs can adapt well to living in apartments or smaller spaces.
3. Maltese
The Maltese is a small breed known for their long, silky white hair and lively personality. They have a gentle and affectionate temperament, which makes them popular as companion dogs, and they can tolerate being alone for several hours.
4. Greyhound
The Greyhound is a large breed that is known for their speed and gentle and affectionate temperament. They can be alone for long periods if they have access to food, water, and shelter.
5. Pug
The Pug is a small breed with a wrinkled face and curly tail. They have a playful and affectionate temperament that makes them popular as companion dogs, and they have a low tendency for separation anxiety.
6. Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a small breed with a long, thick coat and lion-like appearance. They have a calm and independent temperament that makes them excellent companion dogs. They also have a low tendency for separation anxiety, so they can be alone for several hours without getting upset.
7. Shar Pei
The Shar Pei is a medium-sized breed with distinctive wrinkles and a strong, muscular build. They have a calm and independent temperament that makes them excellent guard dogs, as they spend plenty of time watching over the property without getting bored.
8. Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a small breed with a beard and eyebrows that give them a charming and playful look. They have a friendly and intelligent temperament, and they can spend several hours alone and are well suited to apartment living.
9. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is a large breed from England with a loyal and protective temperament, making them wonderful guard dogs and family companions.
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed with a gentle and affectionate temperament. Despite being lap dogs, they have a low tendency for separation anxiety and can tolerate being alone for several hours. However, they are also curious and social animals that might start to explore their environment looking for company if they get bored.
11. Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is a small breed that originated in China before Japanese breeders developed them further. They are affectionate and playful with a flat face, large eyes, and long, silky fur. Japanese Chins can tolerate spending time at home alone as long as they have a few toys to play with while you’re gone.
12. Poodle
The Poodle is a highly intelligent and elegant breed with a hypoallergenic coat that sheds little and is ideal for those with allergies. Poodles are also known for their loyalty and trainability, making them popular for families and as show dogs. They can be left alone as long as there is room to move around and plenty of food and water available.
13. Havanese
The Havanese is a small breed from Cuba with a silky, soft coat and friendly personality. These dogs are often called “Velcro dogs” because they tend to stick close to their owners and follow them everywhere they go. However, despite that desire to stay close, Havanese have a low tendency for separation anxiety and won’t mind sitting home alone while you go to work.
14. Basenji
The Basenji is a small African breed that is quite popular due to their unique yodeling or “baroo” vocalization. They have an independent and curious temperament that can sometimes make them a bit challenging to train, but they are also intelligent, and with proper training, they can learn to stay home alone for several hours at a time.
15. Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is a small-to-medium-sized breed that is native to Japan. They have a lively and independent temperament and a slight tendency for separation anxiety, but they are quite intelligent, and with proper training and socialization, they can learn to tolerate being alone for moderate periods of time.
16. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a medium to large breed from China. They have thick fur, a blue-black tongue, and a wrinkled face, and many owners describe them as loyal and independent dogs. Chow Chows can sometimes have mild separation anxiety, but they are highly intelligent, so you can train them to handle being alone while you go off to work.
Tips for Helping Your Dog Deal With Separation Anxiety
Summary
There are many dog breeds that are less prone to separation anxiety than other breeds. If you are a new pet owner, the Basset Hound, French Bulldog, and Pug are all great options, as they are friendly and have a low tendency toward separation anxiety. If you are an experienced pet owner, don’t rule out the breeds with a slight tendency toward separation anxiety, like the Chow Chow and Shiba Inu, as they are intelligent dogs that can easily learn how to spend more time home alone without becoming upset.
Featured Image Credit: Diana Parkhouse, Shutterstock
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