Do you know? Just like humans, animals can also develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
While some dogs have an independent nature and do not crave constant human interaction, other dogs require 24/7 attention and feel anxious when left alone.
If you are planning to adopt a canine companion, it is important to familiarize yourself with the breeds that thrive on human attention. For instance, busy owners should understand and adopt breeds that can spend at least some hours alone.
By understanding your dog’s needs, you can make sure your dog stays happy and healthy. It will help you develop a special understanding with your pet, making every moment with them super special.
Here are the top 9 dog breeds that can undergo extreme stress if they don’t spend time with their owners.
Dog Breeds Who Can’t Stand Being Alone
1. Labrador Retriever
Breed Profile
Height: 21.5 to 24.5 inches
Coat Type: Double coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 11 to 13 years
One of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., Labrador Retrievers make friendly and warm companions. They thrive on love and attention from their owners. Labs are sociable pups who cannot tolerate being left alone for long periods.
If you leave your Lab alone for a couple of hours, provide it with plenty of toys to play with. You can also ask someone to check in on them. While adult Labs can tolerate a few hours alone (around 4–6 hours) with the right training and stimulation, they do best when they’re part of the action.
Labs have an easygoing personality with high energy levels. They are mostly placid and can cope well with the hustle and bustle of life.
2. Border Collie
Breed Profile
Height: 18 to 22 inches
Coat Type: Double coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Border Collies are highly intelligent pups who need a lot of time and attention from their owners. They are true workaholics and like to have a purpose. But once they are worn out, they love cuddling and spending time with their families.
Border Collies are vulnerable to separation anxiety— they don’t do well in homes where they are left alone for most of the day. Making them follow a proper schedule can keep them occupied and help ease their anxiety.
According to PDSA, they prefer companionship all the time. If Border Collies do not get enough attention or exercise, they will become destructive and chew everything in their reach.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed Profile
Height: 12 to 13 inches
Coat Type: Silky double coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Leaving a Cavalier King Charles spaniel alone can be a distressing experience for both you and your pup. This dog breed is known for being affectionate and loyal, which is fantastic, but this trait makes them more prone to separation anxiety.
Cavalier King Charles spaniel can experience anxiety due to several reasons. For instance, while adjusting to a new environment, due to a lack of training, or when separated from their favorite human for too long.
Signs of anxiety may include excessive barking, house soiling, and destructive behavior. The best way to overcome your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s anxiety is to train them properly and provide enough stimulation, like toys, puzzles, or exercise.
4. Australian Shepherd
Breed Profile
Height: 18 to 23 inches
Coat Type: Double coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Originally bred as herding dogs, these gorgeous dogs now make excellent family pets. Australian Shepherds are often called “Velcro dogs” due to their determination to stick to their owners all the time.
Australian Shepherds are immensely loyal to their owners. They are not well-suited for busy owners because they need a lot of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. When not stimulated properly, these high-energy dogs might become destructive or show unhealthy behaviors.
It is recommended never to leave your Aussie alone for more than 3 to 4 hours. To help your Aussie spend quality time in your absence, you can hire a pet sitter. You can also try leaving the television on to make them feel like they’re not alone.
5. Vizsla
Breed Profile
Height: 21 to 24 inches
Coat Type: Short single coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
Vizslas are beautiful and loving dogs that make excellent pets for active people. These social and energetic pups are the happiest when they are around their favorite human.
Vizslas are the true velcro dogs. Although Hungarian Vizslas can be left alone with proper training and a suitable environment, the frequency and length of their alone time vary depending on their age and individual personality.
Vizslas take a little longer than other dogs to mature mentally. Leaving a puppy younger than 6 months can be very difficult. But if you give your Vizsla puppy a lot of alone time, crate training, and enough physical and mental stimulation, they will be able to spend at least 6-8 hours a few days a week alone.
6. Bichon Frise
Breed Profile
Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches
Coat Type: Double coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 14 to 15 years
Bichon Frises are adaptable and cheerful fellows who do well in almost all types of households, including those with children and other pets. These highly social and intelligent dogs are always eager to learn and like pleasing their owners.
However, just like all other breeds on our list, Bichon Frise are susceptible to developing separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. They thrive in homes where somebody is always there to accompany them.
Petplan explains that they exhibit undesirable behaviors like chewing, barking, whining, and scratching when they do not get enough attention. Bichon Frise needs only 30 to 40 minutes of exercise every day. They enjoy playing fetch, tug of war, and other indoor games.
7. German Shepherd
Breed Profile
Height: 22 to 26 inches
Coat Type: Double coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 7 to 10 years
German Shepherds are loyal dogs that form strong bonds with their owners. They are highly energetic, smart, and curious, which can make leaving them alone at home a bit challenging.
A home alone German Shepherd, experiencing separation anxiety, exhibits the following symptoms:
Barking
Whining
Salivating
House soiling
Destruction of property
Escape attempts
Do you know? GSD puppies separated from their mother before 8 weeks of age are more likely to develop separation anxiety later in life.
Proper training can make your German Shepherd dog confident. Eventually, they can be left alone for some time. Basic obedience skills and learning the rules of the home can also play a pivotal role in this regard. Setting up a schedule and consistently sticking to it can also help overcome a GSD’s anxiety.
8. Papillon
Breed Profile
Height: 8 to 11 inches
Coat Type: Single coat
Trainability: Easy to train
Lifespan: 14 to 16 years
The word Papillon means “butterfly” in French. The breed is named so because its ears resemble outstretched butterfly wings. According to WebMD, Papillons are intelligent and highly energetic dogs that do not like being home alone.
Just like their name, they are the social butterflies that get very, very attached to their humans. They are also vulnerable to suffering from separation anxiety. So, Papillons might not be an ideal pet for you if you have a busy schedule.
Papillons are very vocal. Adopt a Papillon only if you have enough time to train them not to bark and work on their anxiety issues. Papillons have low to moderate exercise needs. Around 30-45 minutes of physical and mental stimulation will suffice.
9. Affenpinscher
Breed Profile
Height: 9 to 12 inches
Coat Type: Single coat
Trainability: Difficult to train
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Affenpinschers are affectionate, intelligent, and curious dogs. Affies love their families and do well with older children. They can also coexist with other dogs if raised along with them. However, you cannot leave them alone with young kids because they dislike being chased and can nip at the heels.
Affens also prefer companionship and do not like being away from their humans. These dogs cannot spend more than two hours alone, and even this may be pushing their limit. Home alone, Affies tend to bark and exhibit destructive behaviors.
Crate training can help prevent destructive behaviors in Affenpinschers. According to PetMD, they have moderate energy levels and need 20 to 40 minutes of daily exercise. Affies become happy with a few daily walks and some indoor play time.
Conclusion
Leaving a dog home alone might not be a big deal for some pet parents. But leaving some breeds alone can bring a lot of inconvenience for both you and your pup. Some dogs can experience anxiety and exhibit destructive behaviors if you leave them without companionship for too long.
There are two options for dog lovers who cannot spend enough time with their dog: Get the dog trained to stay alone or opt for an independent dog breed instead.
