Dogs That Can Be Left Alone - a Ranking of 15 Breeds

You work full-time. You leave in the morning and come back 8 hours later. And you ask yourself: can I even have a dog in a situation like this?

The answer is: yes. As long as you pick the right breed and prepare your dog properly. Some dogs, once they're properly prepared, can calmly stay home alone for a few hours - without heavy stress, persistent howling, or wrecking the place.

This article is the flip side of the coin. If you read our ranking of the 10 breeds most prone to separation anxiety, you already know which dogs take being apart hard. Now for the good news - the breeds that usually tolerate a predictable, few-hour absence better.

Are there really dogs that like being alone?

Let's be honest: no dog "likes" being alone. Dogs are pack animals, wired to live in a group. Even the most independent dog would rather have your company than an empty home.

But there's a difference between "I'd rather be with you" and "I can't live without you."

Some breeds developed traits that let them calmly tolerate being alone:

• Independence - bred to work on their own (guarding, hunting without human contact), they don't need constant interaction
• Low energy - dogs that naturally sleep a lot simply sleep through your absence
• Low tendency toward anxiety - confident, calm, unfazed by changes in their surroundings
• Moderate attachment - they love you, but they don't "cling" to you around the clock

It's an important distinction. We're not looking for a dog that doesn't need people. We're looking for a dog that can calmly wait for you to come back.

What to look for when choosing a breed

Before we get to the ranking, a few things worth weighing up:

Level of independence

Breeds bred to work on their own - guarding dogs, earth dogs that hunt in burrows, spitz breeds - usually handle being alone better than companion or herding breeds, which need constant human contact.

Energy needs

A dog with low exercise needs simply sleeps through most of the day. A dog with high exercise needs, shut in four walls for 8 hours, will look for an outlet for its frustration - and usually finds it in your shoes or your couch.

Tendency toward anxiety

Some breeds show a more frequently observed tendency toward separation-related behaviors. Others are quite the opposite. Confident, calm breeds with a stable temperament are a better choice for people who leave the house often.

Size vs. living space

This may come as a surprise, but a dog's size doesn't always match its need for space. The Greyhound - one of the largest dogs on this list - often settles in well in an apartment, because it sleeps most of the day. Meanwhile a small but energetic Jack Russell can tear the place apart.

15 dog breeds that handle being alone best

The order on this list reflects each breed's general tendency to handle being alone calmly, but it's not a rigid ranking. Every dog is an individual - how well it copes on its own comes down to temperament, past experiences, health, and how it was prepared.

1. Basenji

The Basenji is one of the oldest breeds in the world, originating in Central Africa. Nicknamed "the dog that doesn't bark" (it makes a distinctive sound called a yodel), it's remarkably independent and self-sufficient.

Bred for thousands of years as a solo hunter, the Basenji learned to rely first and foremost on itself. It's a dog that loves its people, but doesn't need them around all the time to feel safe.

2. Shar Pei

The Shar Pei is an ancient Chinese breed, originally bred as a guard and fighting dog. Its independent, somewhat aloof character means it often handles being alone well. The Shar Pei is loyal to its family, but usually isn't "clingy" - it can lie calmly in its corner without demanding constant attention.

3. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a breed that's often compared to a cat. And there's a lot of truth to that. This fluffy giant from China is considered one of the most independent breeds. The Chow Chow forms a strong bond with one person, but doesn't show it in a pushy way. It can often rest calmly for long stretches without demanding constant interaction.

Its history as a guard and all-purpose dog in China shaped a character that values self-reliance over company.

4. Akita

The Akita is a Japanese dog with a strong character and a clear sense of dignity. Originally bred to hunt bears and to guard, the Akita is self-sufficient and composed. It usually doesn't demand constant reassurance - your calm presence is enough.

The Akita is a breed that forms a strong bond, but also needs its own space. It's a dog that's delighted when you come back, but usually takes your leaving in stride.

5. Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is a "mini Akita" - at least when it comes to character. This popular Japanese dog is known for its independent, somewhat stubborn disposition. The Shiba loves on its own terms. It comes for cuddles when it wants to, and spends the rest of the time watching the world from a distance.

That innate independence means the Shiba Inu is sometimes chosen by people who work away from home. With the right preparation, it can handle a few-hour absence more calmly.

6. Greyhound

This may be the biggest surprise on the list. The Greyhound - a racing dog, a symbol of speed - is surprisingly calm and sleep-loving at home. After a short, intense run, the Greyhound is ready to sleep the rest of the day. And that's literal - these dogs can sleep 16-18 hours a day.

Retired racing Greyhounds are an especially good choice. Used to spending time in kennels, they can often rest calmly for long stretches. They're gentle, quiet, and usually adapt well to a calm daily rhythm.

7. Whippet

The Whippet is a smaller version of the Greyhound. It has all of the sighthound's virtues - calm, gentleness, a love of sleep - in a smaller package that fits apartment life better. Whippets are sometimes called "couch potatoes" - after a morning walk they happily curl up and sleep through the rest of the day.

They're also quieter than most breeds - they rarely bark, which your neighbors will appreciate.

8. English Bulldog

The English Bulldog is regarded as one of the calmer breeds. This compact, muscular dog has some of the lowest exercise needs among popular breeds. A short walk, a bowl of food, and a comfy bed - that's often all it needs to be content at home.

Its easygoing character means it often handles being alone well. It usually doesn't have much need to move around indoors and, with the right preparation, can take your absence more calmly. Most of the time it simply sleeps - in exactly the same spot where you left it.

9. Basset Hound

The Basset Hound, with its trademark long ears and mournful gaze, is a dog that looks like it's tired all the time. And in a way, it is - Bassets are one of the calmest breeds, spending most of the day napping.

Bred to trail game on their own, Bassets have an innate ability to work without constant commands. That self-reliance translates into greater tolerance for predictable absences.

10. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua has a reputation for being a nervous, yappy little dog. And in many cases that's true - but a well-socialized Chihuahua is a completely different story. The smallest breed in the world can sleep 14-16 hours a day, which means it can settle in better with a working owner, as long as it's been well prepared for time alone.

The Chihuahua also adapts easily. It bonds strongly with its owner, but with gradual acclimation from puppyhood it usually handles shorter absences calmly.

11. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is a dog with a stable, balanced temperament. It's confident but not pushy. It enjoys company but doesn't fall apart when left alone. It's a breed that combines a steady temperament with a good ability to learn.

Miniature Schnauzers were bred as farm watchdogs - which means they knew how to work on their own, keeping an eye on the property without the owner overseeing them.

12. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a breed that won over city dwellers - and for good reason. It's small, quiet, low on exercise needs, and adapts easily to apartment life. After a morning walk it happily naps for a few hours.

The French Bulldog is more sociable than its English cousin, but it can tolerate a moderately long absence well. The key is routine - a dog that knows you always come back stresses less about you leaving.

13. Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier, known as the "American Gentleman," is a dog with a balanced temperament and natural elegance. It's cheerful and sociable, but it can also lie calmly on its own. It's a breed with moderate needs across the board - activity, attention, space.

The Boston Terrier is neither hyperactive nor overly attached. It's a breed with a fairly balanced profile among companion dogs.

14. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is an ancient Tibetan breed, bred as a watchdog in Buddhist monasteries. For centuries, dogs of this breed stood guard inside buildings, which fostered patience and self-reliance. It's a dog that can rest calmly and watch its surroundings without constant interaction.

The Lhasa Apso has a strong, independent character - it resembles a watchdog more than a companion breed, despite its small size. It isn't "clingy" and doesn't follow you from room to room.

15. Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is a small dog with plenty of confidence. Bold and self-reliant, it can tolerate shorter absences better because it treats the home as its territory to guard. A natural watchdog instinct means it often focuses on keeping an eye on its surroundings.

The Miniature Pinscher is energetic on walks, but at home it can be surprisingly calm - especially after a good dose of exercise.

Breed comparison - table

Below you'll find all 15 breeds side by side with the key details to help you decide. Keep in mind that how long a dog can be left alone depends on many factors - the values given are a rough range for an adult, healthy, well-prepared dog. Every dog is an individual - temperament, past experiences, health, and the current situation at home can shift these numbers significantly in either direction.

Even an independent dog needs preparation

Picking a breed from this list is a good start, but it's no guarantee that your dog will calmly stay home alone for 8 hours right away. Even the most independent dog needs proper preparation.

Gradual acclimation

Don't leave for 8 hours on day one. Start with 15 minutes, then 30, then an hour. Increase the time away gradually, always coming back before your dog starts to get anxious. This process can take a few weeks, but it's an investment that pays off for years. You'll find the full step-by-step plan in our article on systematic desensitization.

Routine is the foundation

Dogs love predictability. Build a fixed routine: morning walk, leaving the house, coming back, evening walk. When your dog knows what to expect, it takes your leaving more easily. It's also worth looking at exercise before you leave and your dog's daily rhythm - the right amount of tiredness and regular sleep support calm time at home.

Mental stimulation

Leave your dog something to do: food-stuffed toys (like a KONG), snuffle mats, balls with hidden treats. A bored dog - even a naturally independent one - may start looking for entertainment on its own. And that rarely ends well for your furniture.

A safe space

Give your dog a set spot where it feels safe. That can be a crate (if your dog is used to it), a separate room, or simply a comfy bed in a quiet corner. What matters is that your dog associates that place with rest and a sense of safety.

Calm goodbyes and hellos

Don't make a drama out of leaving. Don't say goodbye for 10 minutes, don't apologize to your dog, don't say "Mommy will be right back" in a shaky voice. Leave calmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. When you come back, wait until your dog has settled before you greet it. That way your dog learns that your comings and goings are ordinary, not a special event. For more on how a dog reacts to the very sequence of getting ready, see our article on departure cues, and for the common pitfalls of alone-time training, our article on alone-time training mistakes.

When it's still worth consulting a behaviorist

Even choosing an "independent" breed and preparing carefully doesn't remove the risk that your dog will develop separation-related difficulties. Every dog is an individual - temperament, past experiences, health, and the current situation at home all shape how it copes with being alone.

It's worth considering a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist when you notice:

• Severe signs: self-injury (paws bleeding from scratching at the door, broken nails), long howling over 30 minutes, refusing food all day, trying to escape through a window or door.
• No progress after 6-8 weeks of consistent desensitization work, despite a properly run plan.
• Regression that keeps coming back: stepping back a phase worked once, but after a few weeks the problem returns.

Merdilo is a tool for observing - it doesn't replace a visit to a specialist, but concrete data from the app (the length of calm periods, the type of vocalization, the Calm Score over several weeks) can make a behaviorist's job easier. A bit like a thermometer: it shows a signal, but it doesn't diagnose the cause or treat it.

Summary

Working full-time doesn't rule out having a dog. But it does call for a conscious choice of breed and consistent preparation for time alone.

The most important rules:

1. Choose a breed with an independent character - breeds from Asian guarding lines, sighthounds, and low-energy breeds are the best place to start
2. Acclimate gradually - no dog should be left alone for 8 hours on day one
3. Build a routine - predictability helps reduce anxiety
4. Provide stimulation - a dog that's had enough activity and has something to do is more likely to rest calmly
5. Keep watching - even independent breeds can have off days

And remember - breed is a predisposition, not a guarantee. Every dog is different. Even a Basenji may need extra support, and a shelter mix can turn out to be a master of independence.

What matters most is that you know your dog, listen to its signals, and give it the right conditions. And if you ever wonder what's going on at home while you're away - a dog monitoring app can give you more concrete information, and using your phone as a dog camera lets you start without buying any equipment.

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. Serpell, J. A., & Hsu, Y. (2001). "Development and validation of a novel method for evaluating behavior and temperament in guide dogs." Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 72(4), 347-364.
3. Kubinyi, E., Turcsán, B., & Miklósi, Á. (2009). "Dog and owner demographic characteristics and dog personality trait associations." Behavioural Processes, 81(3), 392-401.
4. 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.
5. Svartberg, K. (2006). "Breed-typical behaviour in dogs - Historical remnants or recent constructs?" Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 96(3-4), 293-313.

This article is for informational purposes and does not replace a consultation with a vet or a behaviorist. Even breeds considered independent can develop separation anxiety under stress, trauma, or changes in their environment. If you notice concerning behavior in your dog, consult a specialist.