Dogs That Can Be Left Alone: 7 Worry-Free Breeds

While I would never recommend getting a dog if you do not have enough time to play with them every day, it’s a simple fact that your dog may need to be left alone at times. While there is no cut and dry answer about what breeds will do well inside on their own, there are breeds that are more likely than others to handle this type of independence.

Let’s take a closer look at 7 different breeds that are known for their easy-going attitudes that will keep them chill at home while you’re out and about.

More...

#1 Basset Hound

While people often think of Basset Hounds as long dogs that will be taken out on hunting trips with their owners, they are just as content to be relaxing at home.

Basset Hounds are very lovable dogs that like to spend their time lounging around the house with their owners. Their personality is very friendly, and they are unlikely to get worked up easily. This means that you can let them chill at home without worrying about them becoming destructive.

Basset Hounds are, in fact, pretty lazy. If their sensitive noses pick up an interesting scent, they will become more energized and investigate it, but on most days, they can be happy just laying around.

Though Basset Hounds do better than other breeds at being left alone, they do have a pack mentality and prefer to be around their owners when possible.

If you have to leave them home for a longer period of time, you should take them for a long walk before hand to reassure them that you care! You also want to tire them out as much as possible. If you don’t, they may get bored and become a bit destructive. I had a basset hound that once tore up all the sheets on my bed!

If left alone for too long, they might start to howl, but they will get used to you leaving after a few weeks of this behavior. Gradually leave the house for longer and longer periods, and reward your dog if they behave while you are gone.

#2 Miniature Schnauzer

Many people think that smaller dogs are the dogs that will do best alone, but this is not always the case. The Miniature Schnauzer, however, is a smaller dog that many owners have been able to leave at home while they work without any issues.

These dogs have huge personalities, and you’ll never get tired of having them around. They look cute, and they’re smart enough to learn lots of fun tricks as well. This means that you’ll have a great time when playing with them around your house.

When you have to leave them, however, you don’t need to worry about them turning into destructive Tasmanian Devils. Sure, they might get a bit frustrated and bored from time to time, but you can fix this. All you have to do is make sure that you pay plenty of attention to your Schnauzer while you are home and take them out for some exercise before you leave.

This dog does love to be by your side, so if you notice that your dog is starting to become a bit bothered by you spending so much time away from home, you may want to hire a dog walker to come by a few days a week. This can help bridge the alone time your dog has to spend, but most Schnauzers will not need this type of treatment.

#3 Chow Chow

Have you ever seen or heard of a Chow Chow? If so, you probably know that these dogs are one of the fluffiest around, and they look like the perfect pillow.

If you actually try to use this dog as a pillow, however, they probably won’t like it! While every dog is different, this breed generally is not a big fan of hugging or cuddling. Some even think they behave more like a cat than a dog!

Chow Chows are a proud and intelligent dog that focus on themselves more than on the world outside of them. While they may not lick you or follow you around the house, this doesn’t mean that they don’t have affection for you.

The simple fact is that the Chow Chow is a very reserved and protective dog. They are very loyal to their owners once they become accustomed to them and will be sure to do their best to fight off any strangers that they should come upon.

Because this dog is so independent, they do well when left at home on their own. They even stay quiet unless someone tries to come into the house. They are excellent guarding dogs, and they will stay alert throughout the day while you are not home.

Some even say that the Chow is more like a roommate than a dog. They have their own ways of showing affection, but they will be okay to spend the day alone.

#4 Labradoodle

Have you ever heard of a Labradoodle? These hypoallergenic dogs are getting very popular, and they are a good option for those that have to be out of the house for at least a few hours every day.

Since these dogs are not overly attentive guard dogs and are very friendly, they will be content to rest around the home during your day. They are very devoted and affectionate to their owners, but this does not mean that they need to be around them 24/7.

For best results when leaving a Labradoodle at home all day, you will want to exercise them in the morning before you head out. This dog has a lot of energy, and they can definitely get into some trouble if you aren’t careful!

There’s a saying that a “good doodle is a tired doodle,” and that’s how you’ll find the most success for keeping them happy when they’re going to be alone for a few hours a day. Wear them out with some morning exercise!

Labradoodles are a reserved and intelligent dog, and this means that they will need some entertainment while at home, too. Consider leaving them a new toy, or give them a toy that they can play with for a long period of time such as a frozen treat. This kind of mental stimulation is necessary when you plan to be out of the house for a longer period of time.

#5 Beagle

Beagles are known to be very attached to their owners, so it can be scary to think about leaving them at home by themselves! There are even rumors that Beagles get separation anxiety. But is this true?

Yes and no. Any dog can get separation anxiety, especially if they are not taught how to spend any time by themselves. From a young age, you should make sure that your dog is getting some alone time every day. Otherwise, they might always act like this:

It’s good to teach them how to spend time alone. This will help them learn some independence. Without it, they may rely too heavily on your presence to be happy.

Many Beagle owners have found that crate training their Beagle helps the dog understand that while their owner may be leaving the house, they will come back. Crate training lets your dog know what to expect, and with a Beagle, that’s all they need to stay calm while you aren’t home.

Other Beagle owners say that their dog does better if they are just left free to roam the house. While you should not suddenly leave your Beagle for the whole day if you are usually at home, you can gradually increase how long you are away to teach your dog that they will be just fine without you being around all day.

#6 Shar-pei

​The Shar-pei is a very old breed of dog that was originally bred to be both a guard dog, a herding dog, and a hunting dog. Talking about versatility! Nowadays, people don’t usually use them for these purposes. Instead, they’re a popular family pet known for their affection towards their owners.

These dogs have very loose skin, and that’s usually how people recognize them. But not many people know what their personality is like!

Shar-Peis, much like the Chow Chow, are quiet, somewhat reserved dogs that can live in an apartment or in a bigger house. These dogs will be very loyal to you and appreciate your company, but they don’t need to be around you at every minute. This means that you can leave them at home without worrying about them missing you so badly that they become stressed.

It should be noted that Shar-Peis can be a difficult dog to train, and without the proper exertion of control, they can become stubborn or disrespectful. You need to show that you are in charge, not them, so that they will understand who is the leader of your family pack. Training them in this way will help when you leave home because they will remember how they are supposed to behave.

#7 Golden Retriever

​Did you know that Golden Retrievers are another dog that you can actually leave at home all day? It really is possible, even though many people probably think that these dogs are too rambunctious to stay inside for so many hours a day.

Every dog is different, and when it comes to Golden Retrievers, this is even more apparent. If you adopt a Golden puppy or even a young adult, you’ll find that they have a lot of energy and need mental stimulation all day long. It may be difficult to leave them at home for too many hours every day.

If you have an adult or senior Golden Retriever in your life, however, they will be very happy to rest all day at home. They don’t have as much energy as younger dogs, and they have mellowed out as they have aged. These type of dogs will do much better than younger Goldens when left alone all day.

Golden retrievers like to please. You can train them to enjoy their time at home by gradually introducing them to alone time when they are home by themselves. If you give them tasks to accomplish regularly, you’ll see that Goldens are very intelligent. Make the task of being a good dog part of being home alone, and you won’t have any problems.

Remember These Tips

​Even if you get one of these dogs that can be left alone based on their breed, not every dog will do well being alone all day, every day, particularly if you work more than 8 hours a day. You need to make some adjustments to make sure that your dog does not get depressed or make a mess in your house.

Try incorporating the following tips into your dog care routine to keep your dog happy:

If you choose an easygoing breed of dog and enrich their time spent alone as much as possible, you won’t have any problems with your dog acting destructive or becoming depressed from their time spent alone.