Earning a living as a shift worker can get hectic at times! This is a job that has irregular working hours, and it is almost impossible to find a work-life balance in it. You have to spend many hours away from home, and keeping a pet in such a situation seems impossible. Whether you are a nurse with extensive working hours or a factory employee, you may have to spend most of your time at your workplace.
This is when you have to look for dogs that will be low-maintenance, independent, and highly adaptable. They should be intelligent enough to solve most of their problems themselves, without looking for solutions from their parents.
Also, as a shift worker with extensive working hours, you would be too tired at the end of the day to take your dog out for a walk. Hence, getting a pet that doesn’t require a lot of exercise would be a good choice.
There are various dogs of varied sizes that are known for their independent nature and low separation anxiety. Let’s talk about the most suitable dog breeds for shift workers in this article.
Dog Breeds for Shift Workers
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a British breed of toy dog. These graceful, patient, and sociable canines are a good fit for you if you are a shift worker.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Adaptable and friendly
These small dogs are highly adaptable to living situations. As they are friendly, they don’t really make a fuss when they have to stay home without you. They’d rather get along with other members of the family than miss you.
Easy To Train
They are eager to please their owners, hence they’ll learn new skills and commands quite easily. Initially, even if you have to keep them with a dog sitter or a dog walker, they’ll adjust to them easily.
Keep Them Entertained
As long as the Cavaliers have their favourite toys and puzzles around them, they won’t really be bothered by you not being in the house. Hence, this is possibly the best dog breed for shift workers.
This Reddit thread is loaded with tips you can use while having this pet as a full-time worker.
2. Basset Hound
This short-legged dog from Britain is a good choice for shift workers owing to its laid-back attitude.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Super low-energy dogs
These dogs really enjoy lounging. Rather than playing outdoors or even running around the house, they’ll spend most of their time taking naps. Hence, keeping them as pets for busy professionals is easy. PetMD calls them short and sturdy dogs that love to snooze!
Set a Routine
These dogs thrive on routine. Make a schedule for their feeding times and bathroom breaks to occur when you are home. This way, the Basset hound would be more comfortable at home when you won’t be around.
Provide mental stimulation
This dog can get bored pretty easily! Hence, you have to provide it with some puzzle toys so it doesn’t get destroyed. Also, when you are home, play some games that will help them explore their scenting abilities and hone them further.
3. Greyhound
This sighthound was initially bred for hunting and running. Today, it makes a great pet dog for a shift worker, thanks to its independent nature.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Limited Energy Level
Despite being massive and having a history of hunting dogs, these dogs are not high-energy runners at home. In fact, you’ll be amazed to see how much they love lounging around. There is no need to provide them with constant, high-intensity exercise sessions.
Independent Nature
These dogs have an independent nature. Unlike most other dogs, they don’t follow their pet parents at all times. Hence, if you are someone with a busy schedule but need a pet at home, get your hands on a Greyhound.
Schedule A Routine
A predictable routine for all activities, including feeding, walking, and playtime, makes things easy for the dog. Proper training around a consistent routine sets expectations for these dogs, and they act quite self-sufficient when their pet parents are not around.
4. French Bulldog
This toy dog is a great companion canine, known for its fun personality. For a shift worker with kids at home, a French Bulldog is a great choice.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Easily Live Indoors For Long Periods
These dogs are proper Gen Z canines and love their own living spaces. To keep this dog comfortable, give it a cosy bed and access to water so it doesn’t have to look for the required elements. Also, ensure its food is always ready and in its access!
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says they don’t bark much, which is surely a plus!
Arrange A Caregiver if Required
Though French Bulldogs are able to manage alone time when you are not home, it is always better to look for a caregiver initially. Start off by giving the dog alone time for short periods in the presence of a caregiver. With time, you can gradually increase the alone period.
Highly Adaptable
If you live in an apartment, the Frenchie with its small body would fit easily into it. Quora suggests this small breed is a good choice for small living spaces.
5. Boston Terrier
Also known as the American Gentleman, the Boston Terrier is a well-balanced little pup that is a great dog for shift workers.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Easy-going dogs
You don’t need to worry about taking this dog on long walks after coming from work, as they are low-energy couch potatoes. A little walk around the corner would be more than enough for their mental stimulation.
They have moderate exercise needs compared to other breeds, which makes them the best dog to have for owners with hectic job schedules.
Easy To Train
Being really intelligent and eager to please the owners, they are easy to train dogs. Use positive reinforcement methods, and they’ll show you a great performance.
Highly Adaptable
These dogs, with a small size of merely 10-25 pounds, are super easy to manage in a small house. If you live in an apartment, get this dog, and you’ll see how well it adjusts to it.
6. Chow Chow
This sturdily built dog from China is also a great pick if you want a pet dog as a shift worker.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Stay Alone Easily
These dogs are independent and aloof in nature. This makes it possible for them to stay alone for long periods easily. They are good family dogs and will guard your home when no one is in it.
Heat Sensitive
As these dogs are sensitive to heat and humidity, they will prefer to stay indoors rather than go outside.
Give Balanced Attention
During your off-duty hours, take your pet to the dog park and it will love to play there. This practice will also ensure the mental well-being of the dog.
7. Whippet
The whippet is a quiet and sensitive dog. Its calm personality makes it a good choice for shift workers.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Need Occasional Workouts
These dogs are not always asking for a physical activity. Rather, they have occasional bursts of energy, and opting for high-intensity exercise several times a week would be a good way to keep them active. Whenever you get some time off during the week, take this dog to the dog park and it will be ecstatic.
Easygoing Temperament
These dogs are generally gentle, calm, and quiet indoors. If you leave them home for some hours, they won’t showcase their irritation by barking out loud!
Choose An Adult Dog Over a Puppy
An adult dog easily manages in a home without an owner when compared to a puppy. Choose a crate-trained young adult Whippet over a puppy, and you’ll see how well-behaved it acts even when you are gone.
8. Pug
The highly adaptable pug dogs are some of the best canines you can have in the home!
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
No need for extensive exercises
These dogs are generally lazy! All you need to provide them is a 30-minute walk, and they’ll be physically stimulated (and drained as well).
Sensitve to Heat
Pugs are super sensitive to heat. This means when the outdoors are hot, don’t take them out. A well-air-conditioned home would be their top priority over running in the backyard. Give your dog unconditional access to a cool environment and keep it healthy.
Make Arrangements For Pee And Potty
These little pups can hold their bladder for 6-8 hours. If you are out for longer periods, designate a place of pee and potty so they don’t have any dependence on you.
9. Lhasa Apso
Despite requiring regular grooming, the Lhasa Apso is a preferred pick for a pet by shift workers.
Qualities Making Them Suitable For Shift Workers
Independent Nature
This dog is known for its independent streak. Hence, it won’t look for you when a small problem arises and needs a solution.
Adjustable in Apartments
If you live in an apartment, these dogs with a small size and moderate exercise needs are a good pick. They are not demanding and adjust easily in small spaces.
Grooming Needs
Having a Lhasa at home means brushing its hair daily. You’ll have to be ready for this commitment, or else your hair will be matted soon!
Conclusion
People with hectic and strenuous work lives are always in search of small joys! Coming back home to a dog that jumps on you to welcome you and licks your face endlessly is surely a joyous feeling. Get yourself an adjustable dog, and coming back home after extended periods at work won’t be depressing anymore!
