10 Dog Breeds Most Prone to Separation Anxiety

Any dog can experience separation anxiety. But did you know that some breeds are more prone to it than others?

That doesn't mean you're guaranteed to have trouble just because you have a dog from this list. And it doesn't mean a dog that isn't on the list is "safe." Separation anxiety is a complex thing, shaped by genes, environment, life experiences, and how a dog is raised.

But knowing a breed's predispositions can help you understand your dog better - and spot the warning signs earlier.

Why are some breeds more prone to it?

Genes matter

A years-long study by researchers at the University of Helsinki (one of the largest studies of dog behavior, covering more than 13,700 dogs) found that dog breeds differ significantly in their susceptibility to anxiety and separation-related behaviors. These differences point to a strong genetic component.

Interestingly, genetic research has even identified specific genes linked to anxiety in dogs - among them variants of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), which governs social bonding. Some breeds carry versions of these genes that make them more "attached" to their people.

Breeding history

Breeds developed to work in close contact with people - herding dogs, hunting dogs that work right in front of their handler, companion dogs - often have a stronger need for closeness. That was their job: to be near a person, watch them, and respond to their cues.

By contrast, breeds developed to work independently (for example, terriers that hunt down burrows, or guard dogs that work through the night) often handle alone time better.

The 10 breeds most prone to separation anxiety

1. Labrador Retriever

Why a Labrador?

This might come as a surprise - after all, Labradors are famous for their sunny nature. But their greatest strength is also their weakness: Labradors are extremely social.

Bred for generations as companions to hunters, and later as family and assistance dogs, Labradors have developed an exceptionally strong need for human contact. When that contact disappears, they can take it very hard.

Research from the University of Edinburgh found an interesting link: Labradors that get less exercise show higher levels of separation anxiety.

2. Border Collie

The smartest, but also the most sensitive

The Border Collie is the genius of the dog world - but a brilliant mind needs a job. When a Border Collie is left alone without stimulation, its brain starts "working" on the problem of its missing person. And it often reaches some worrying conclusions.

This breed was developed to work in almost telepathic sync with a shepherd - watching every gesture, responding to subtle cues. That hyper-attunement to their person means a Border Collie can take being apart very hard.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Made to be close

If any breed was designed to sit in your lap, it's the Cavalier. For centuries these dogs were bred purely as companions - their only "job" was to be near a person.

That gives Cavaliers an exceptionally strong need for closeness. For many of them, simply having you in the next room isn't enough - they want to be next to you, ideally on you.

4. German Shepherd

Loyalty comes at a cost

The German Shepherd is loyalty in its purest form. These dogs form extraordinarily strong bonds with their people - often choosing one "special" person they'd follow anywhere.

But that intensity of bond has another side. When their beloved person disappears, a German Shepherd may experience it as a serious threat.

Genetic research has found that in German Shepherds, OXTR gene variants are linked both to high sociability and to heightened sensitivity to stress.

5. Vizsla (Hungarian Pointer)

The "Velcro dog" - sticks to you and won't let go

The Vizsla has the unofficial nickname "Velcro dog." This Hungarian hunting breed was developed to work in direct contact with the hunter - and over centuries of selection, it developed an almost obsessive need for closeness.

Vizslas are famous for literally following their person step for step, sitting on their feet, and gazing up at them adoringly. It's charming - but it also means that being apart is especially hard for them.

6. Australian Shepherd

Boundless energy, boundless attachment

The Australian Shepherd is another herding breed with remarkable intelligence and energy. Like the Border Collie, it was developed to work in close contact with people.

The difference is that the Australian Shepherd is often even more "clingy" than the Border Collie. These dogs have a strong need to be part of the "pack" - and when the pack (that's you) disappears, they may respond with panic.

7. Bichon Frise

Small dog, big feelings

The Bichon Frise is a breed created purely as a human companion. For centuries these little white puffballs entertained aristocrats - and developed a knack for forming intense emotional bonds.

Bichons are known for "shadow syndrome" - following their person everywhere, including the bathroom. It can be adorable, but it also means a high susceptibility to stress when they're apart.

8. Cocker Spaniel

Sweetness comes at a cost

Cocker Spaniels - both English and American - are dogs with an exceptionally gentle temperament and a strong need for contact. Clinical studies have repeatedly flagged this breed as particularly prone to separation anxiety.

Cocker Spaniels are also emotionally sensitive - they can pick up on their person's mood and "catch" their stress. If you feel guilty as you leave the house, your Cocker will sense it.

9. Jack Russell Terrier

Small, but with a big heart

The Jack Russell Terrier might surprise you on this list. After all, terriers are famous for their independence. But the Jack Russell is a special case - a breed developed for hunting that demanded close cooperation with a person.

Jack Russells form intense bonds with their people and have enormous energy that has to go somewhere. When they're left alone with nothing to do, that energy can turn into destruction or obsessive behaviors.

10. Poodle (especially Toy and Miniature)

Intelligence + sensitivity = feeling things deeply

Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds - and at the same time one of the most emotionally sensitive. That combination means Poodles feel their relationships with their people deeply - and feel their absence just as deeply.

Toy and Miniature Poodles in particular, bred as companion dogs, show a strong need for closeness. Research suggests that the smaller varieties of Poodle are more often diagnosed with separation-related behaviors.

Breed is not a sentence

Before you close this page thinking "I have a dog from the list, I'm doomed to have problems" - stop.

Breed is a predisposition, not a destiny.

Plenty of Labradors, Border Collies, and Cavaliers spend hours alone without the slightest sign of stress. And plenty of dogs from "calm" breeds struggle with serious separation anxiety.

Whether your dog will struggle with being alone depends on many factors:

• Early socialization and puppyhood experiences
• How they were introduced to being alone (gradually vs suddenly)
• The amount of exercise and mental stimulation
• Their daily routine
• How you behave when you leave and come home
• Any past trauma or changes in the dog's life

What you can do, whatever the breed

1. Start early - teach your puppy that being alone is OK
2. Stay calm - your emotions rub off on your dog
3. Give them something to do - a bored dog is a stressed dog
4. Create a routine - predictability is calming
5. Keep an eye on things - catching a problem early makes it easier to solve
6. Don't punish - punishing anxiety symptoms only makes things worse
7. Get help - when you notice warning signs, don't wait

When should you seek help?

If your dog (whatever the breed):

• Barks, howls, or whimpers intensely after you leave
• Destroys things, especially near doors and windows
• Has "accidents" even though they're house-trained
• Refuses to eat when left alone
• Shows signs of panic (heavy panting, trembling, pacing in circles)
• Tries to escape or bolts to follow you

...it's worth consulting a vet or a certified dog behaviorist. Separation anxiety is treatable - but the sooner you start, the better.

Summary: the 10 breeds and what to know about them

In closing: your dog is one of a kind

Breed lists are helpful as a starting point, but your dog is an individual. Yours might be a Labrador that handles alone time beautifully. Or a mixed breed that panics after 5 minutes.

Watch your dog. Get to know how they react. And remember - every dog can learn to handle being alone with the right support.

And if you notice your dog is struggling - don't blame yourself. Separation anxiety isn't the result of "bad training." It's often a mix of genes, history, and circumstances you have no control over.

What you can influence is what happens next. And that's good news.

Scientific sources

1. Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S., et al. (2020). "Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs." Scientific Reports, 10, 2962.
2. Flannigan, G., & Dodman, N. H. (2001). "Risk factors and behaviors associated with separation anxiety in dogs." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 219(4), 460-466.
3. Konok, V., Kosztolányi, A., Rainer, W., et al. (2015). "Influence of owners' attachment style and personality on their dogs' separation-related disorder." PLoS ONE, 10(2), e0118375.
4. Lofgren, S. E., Wiener, P., Blott, S. C., et al. (2014). "Management and personality in Labrador Retriever dogs." Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 156, 44-53.
5. Kubinyi, E., Turcsán, B., & Miklósi, Á. (2009). "Dog and owner demographic characteristics and dog personality trait associations." Behavioural Processes, 81(3), 392-401.
6. Zapata, I., Serpell, J. A., & Alvarez, C. E. (2016). "Genetic mapping of canine fear and aggression." BMC Genomics, 17, 572.

This article is for informational purposes. If your dog shows signs of separation anxiety, consult a vet or a certified dog behaviorist.