Dog lovers see dogs as not only a way to enhance social occasions, but also an answer to loneliness and isolation. But can all dogs thrive in a quiet household where you live alone, without much social activity? The answer is “No!”
Dogs, like people, have their own individual temperaments, and some dog breeds come with their specific needs when it comes to socialization and environment.
While certain breeds enjoy an easygoing lifestyle, others need more physical and mental stimulation and are prone to separation anxiety.
Some quiet dog breeds are perfectly happy to relax by your side, matching your calm and quiet lifestyle. But others need constant activity, challenges, and companionship to stay content. For owners who spend a lot of time alone or enjoy peace, choosing a dog becomes a crucial choice.
If you live alone, it’s important to pick your doggo mindfully. Here are 9 dog breeds you should think twice before adopting if you don’t have other people or a partner living with you.
Notable Dog Breeds To Avoid If You Live Alone
1. Chihuahua
While, despite its spunky and demanding temperament, the Chihuahua is one of the most popular small dogs, it needs a pet owner who can devote his or her time to it. A Chihuahua might probably be the worst dog breed for you if you don’t have the experience and time to cater to its needs.
While a Chihuahua’s bat-like ears and big, round eyes tempt us to make it our forever pup, many owners will tell you this breed isn’t always a cake walk if you live alone. These doggos thrive on attention and suffer from separation anxiety if they’re separated from their pet parents for a long period of time.
Purina describes its temperament as ‘terrier-like’; they’re very alert, small pooches with a confident demeanor. They’re great for families who love lap dogs and can spend quality time with them.
2. Dalmatian
These sleek, spotted dogs have many fans from their appearances in pop culture, especially 101 Dalmatians.
While they look like fancy canines you’d sign up for a dog pageant, Dalmatians are energetic dogs that have played different roles like hunting dogs, war sentinels, and carriage dogs, as per Britannica.
Dalmatians were popularly used to run alongside carriages for long distances. They make amazing pet dogs and family dogs for people who can spend time exercising them, especially outdoors.
But if you live alone and don’t have a lot of time to take care of their mental and physical stimulation needs, they can prove to be a challenge.
If you have other dogs at home, you might want to watch out for your Dalmatian for cranky behavior. Some caution is also needed if you happen to have small children.
3. Akita
Akitas are gorgeous dogs of Japanese heritage, recognizable due to their fluffy, thick fur. They are moderate shedders but still rather low-maintenance pups who only need some weekly brushing and occasional bathing.
Though Akita is a brave companion, loyal to its human and very protective, it needs a lot of human attention. If you live alone and have to go away for a while, you might have trouble finding a dog sitter, as these canines are aloof towards strangers.
According to the AKC, these doggos need only moderate daily exercise; brisk daily walks will make your pup overjoyed. They are better suited for a cold climate as their thick coat is made to protect them against it.
4. Border Collie
Border Collie is a very companionable dog and without any doubt, one of the most ideal family pets. It thrives in a family system, where it gets to socialize and interact with people. Early socialization training is still very important for even these loving pups.
These herding dogs are agile and hardworking; they love to please their owners and can be quite playful. Due to their background, they can show strong herding instincts, and they are made to thrive in farmhouse-like settings where they get to interact with people and other animals.
So, an isolated lifestyle might make them cranky, especially if you’re the only human around, and you fail to spend quality time with them and exercise them regularly.
5. Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is one of the fastest and most elegant breeds, literally known for its speed. While Iggy looks like it can leap out of your reach any moment, it loves nothing more than a place close to you, even in your lap.
Maybe you have an important meeting, have to catch up with friends at the cafe, or just travel out of town. A dog like IG, who’s prone to separation anxiety, will find it hard to deal with this situation, if there aren’t other people at home it’s bonded with and can stay happy with in your absence.
Though this pup also enjoys an active lifestyle, it adapts surprisingly well to apartment settings and enjoys lounging on the sofa next to you.
These doggos have an active prey drive, which can get triggered anytime if they haven’t received proper training. Keep them on a leash if you’re taking them on a walk, and let them play in a fenced yard.
6. Weimaraner
Weimaraner, also called “Gray Ghost,” makes for a courageous companion and has worked with hunters. It has a graceful, sleek, but strong stature that points to its agility and paints the picture of a confident doggo.
This pup can turn out to be a very obedient and loving pet with proper obedience training at a young age. These dogs require a lot of daily exercise as they’re a high-energy breed, as per the AKC.
As sociable dogs with a need for constant engagement and a lot of activity, Weimaraners are the right dogs for a household where there is more than one human to take care of them.
7. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are small dogs but full of vigor and playfulness, and are one of the most loved pets. They were originally bred to hunt foxes in England, and still carry the strong prey drive and brave nature required for that job.
Despite their compact size, JRTs are dogs best suited for experienced owners; they’re not just quite strong, but also crave a lot of human attention.
You can’t just bring a Jackie home and forget about it; this doggo has extensive exercise needs and will get bored if it’s left alone.
They really need to be watched over, as these pooches are surprisingly good jumpers and also can start digging under the fence to escape if they’re bored. So, for this small but high-maintenance pet, it’s better if you have other people at home who can share the responsibility.
8. Rottweiler
With their badass appearance, it’s easy to put your trust in Rottweilers, who indeed make great guardian dogs. They can be surprisingly sweet with their pet parents and families, and aren’t unnecessarily aggressive.
The Rottweiler can be the best breed for you if you have an active lifestyle and have some experience as a dog owner. These doggos have a history of protective livestock, and as working dogs, they need a job they can put their energy into.
Rottie puppies are really cute but can also be a handful; well-socialized grown-up Rottweilers can turn out to be well-rounded, but stubbornness is still a possibility.
They can show a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs; handling them in dog parks can turn out to be extremely difficult. Small spaces also aren’t very suitable for them; they need a fenced area to burn off their energy.
9. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are very beautiful, thick-coated, wolf-like doggos that were originally used in Siberia as sled-pulling dogs. As a medium to large breed, they should be adopted by owners with some experience; if you live alone, taking care of this mutt can become tricky.
If you want to commit to a Sibe, make sure you have enough time daily to dedicate to them. They can be quite entertaining and playful if they’re being taken care of, and they get along with children as well. However, if they aren’t getting enough exercise daily, they can show destructive tendencies.
These Spitz-type dogs are pack animals; they can coexist with other dogs pretty well if they’re socialized properly. They also have a high prey drive and can try to chase small animals or rodents.
FAQs
Why should some dog breeds be avoided when living alone?
Some dog breeds aren’t suitable if you’re living alone, because they:
Need a lot of attention and interaction
Are large dogs or need a lot of exercise
It can become destructive if left alone.
Are there dog breeds that struggle with being left alone?
Yes, breeds like Chihuahua and Italian Greyhounds (and many others) don’t prefer being left alone at the house and can experience stress and separation anxiety.
Do large or powerful breeds pose challenges for solo owners?
While some large breeds are safe for solo owners (if they’re calm), dogs with a huge size and higher exercise needs might not be the best fit. It may become difficult for a single person to manage the dog’s ample needs along with his/her own busy life schedule.
Conclusion
Living alone can become isolating at times, and having a dog with the right temperament can make things easier. However, if your dog isn’t the best fit for a single owner, it can cause a lot of problems and dilemmas.
Make sure to talk to people at your rescue center or a reputable breeder about the right doggo for your environment.
