Home alone: How long can different dog breeds stay on their own?

Dogs are extremely social animals, and only a selective few breeds show signs that they can do fine all by themselves with minimal interaction all day. Studies have shown that dogs are well adapted to living in groups and are proficient at interpreting human behavior and gestures. They also show most dogs struggle if they are left home alone for extended periods.

Because they are companion animals most dogs do best when they can spend most of their time with their humans and struggle when left home alone for extended periods.

In light of this information, let’s take a quick look at some dog breeds to find out whether they are comfortable being home alone for extended periods. 

Yorkshire Terrier: 4-6 hours

One of the smallest dog breeds in the world, Yorkies can develop bad behavior if their owners don’t check on them. They also are hard to potty train due to their small bladders, and at times accidents do happen when they can’t hold for long, which is why they need to frequently go potty.

That is why Yorkies don’t do well for extended periods on their own. Adults can stay alone for 4 to 6 hours at most, while puppies can only survive 2 to 3 hours a day before acting erratically.

Yorkies need affection, they are very social, and loving little dogs. Leaving them home alone for long periods of time would be considered sinful.   

Corgi: 4 hours

A cattle herding dog breed, Corgis are generally friendly and personable and they like attention. This makes them a perfect dog breed for people who have constant visitors and you shouldn’t leave them alone for more than 4 hours a day. So it’s pretty obvious that leaving them alone for extended periods is a big no.

It’s also important to note that while Corgis are playful, if you leave their instinctive aggression unmanaged, then they can become dangerous.

This is especially true for spoiled adult dogs, which is why they need sufficient training, firm discipline, and appropriate physical activity. Corgis form a strong bond with their owners and family members. Lonely time makes them depressed, stressed, and prone to behave in a destructive manner.    

Labrador Retriever: 8-9 hours

A popular dog breed in many countries around the world, the Labrador Retriever or simply Lab, is a medium-large dog breed. As their name implies, these dogs make excellent dogs for retrieving game for hunters. They also are considered a favorite choice for disability assistance and are frequently trained to aid people who are blind or autistic.

Generally leaving an adult Labrador for 8 to 9 hours is acceptable. However, you can pretty much read between the lines and figure out that Labradors are companion dogs and don’t enjoy spending long hours on their own.

Being alone for most of the day can make them feel agitated, which can lead to developing bad habits like barking, biting, and chewing. 

Golden Retriever: 8 hours

Another medium-large gun dog that was bred to retrieve game for hunters, Golden Retrievers are known for bringing back shot game undamaged due to their softer mouths. They also make excellent pets due to their playful nature, intelligence, and affectionate behavior towards owners and family members. However, they lack guard instincts, so making them into a watchdog is a bad idea.

Nevertheless, when it comes to leaving a Golden Retriever at home, they set the standard high compared to other breeds. They catch up on quality nap time and may even entertain themselves by trying some off-limit activities like jumping on a counter to grab a yummy treat.

Leaving them alone for more than 8 hours a day, however, can make them feel lonely and stressed.  

Bulldog: 8 to 10 hours

Their distinctive pushed-in nose, wrinkled face, and muscular bodies make bulldogs an absolute nightmare for trespassers. While they were originally bred for dog fighting and bull-baiting, bulldogs have become friendlier through selective breeding and other techniques.

They are, however, extremely protective of their owners and family members. Trained bulldogs can be left at home for a considerable amount of time — 8 to 10 hours, but they have to be potty trained, taught to chew only on toys, and have an established eating schedule. 

Spending active time also keeps your bulldog physically fit. Remember, bulldogs love company, and untrained dogs can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long on their own.  

Poodle: 4 hours

Poodles come in three varieties with the Standard Poodle being the biggest and the Toy Poodle as the smallest in size. Poodles are intelligent dogs, and many have been known to win prizes and various other honors due to their ability to learn quickly from trainers.

However, when it comes to isolation, poodles can suffer from the worst anxieties, which could even make them sick. Poodles are indefinitely companion dogs and need a lot of affection from their masters. They should not be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time.

They are attention seekers and would do anything to please their owners and family members. This also makes them overly attached to their family, and thus any kind of separation from them is like a massive heartbreak to them. Here is a Work from Home Guide that can help you keep your poodle happy and still not miss out on your work duties.   

Dachshund: 4 hours

Probably one of the cutest and unique looking dog breeds in the world, dachshunds are also known as wiener dogs or sausage dogs due to their short legs and long bodies. Dachshunds are also fond of cuddling and would love to get all snuggly inside the covers if you let them.

They love to have the company of their masters and family members, are very loyal, and follow you around everywhere. This is also where the problem comes.

As pack animals, it is extremely inadvisable to leave dachshunds home alone for extended periods. Anything more than 4 hours can make them feel miserable, lonely, bored, and highly stressed.    

Siberian Husky: 8 hours

The Siberian Huskies are one of the finest looking dogs that are almost magical to gaze upon. They are commonly bred as sled dogs, and a simple glimpse illustrates their northern heritage. They are fast, big, and can be difficult to handle if not well trained by their owners.

Huskies are pack dogs and enjoy family time and are quite energetic as well as generally clean dogs with little body odor. Leaving your husky for more than 8 hours is not advisable. As social animals huskies crave for companionship and staying home alone for too long can cause them to suffer from separation anxiety.    

Beagle: 4 to 6 hours

Similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound, Beagles excel as scent hounds as they were primarily bred for assisting in hunting activities. They are, however, fun-loving dogs who can be great as an active companion for both kids and adults alike. Because they are hounds, they can be stubborn at times and may require creative training and patience from their owners.

It is highly recommended that adult beagles over the age of 18 months should not be left unsupervised for more than 4 to 6 hours. For puppies that limit drops even lower, as growing beagles should not be left alone for more than 2 hours in a single day. If they get too bored, then beagles can adopt destructive behavior and even start to bark excessively.    

German Shepherd: 4 hours

One of the smartest and most intelligent dog breeds, the German Shepherd is in a league of its own and is often considered the choice breed by military and police officers.

Their potential to learn and improve is remarkable. This is why many German Shepherds are often used for disability assistance as well as in search and rescue missions.

They are known protectors and proficient watchdogs that are willing to go all the way and even risk their own lives for their owners and family members. German Shepherds, however, are the kind of dogs that shouldn’t be left alone for a longer period of time. At most adult dogs can tolerate up to 4 hours of isolation, but after that they start to feel bored.   

Chihuahua: 4 hours

One of the smallest dog breeds in the world, Chihuahuas are delicate and vulnerable to attacks and injuries from larger animals. They can be provoked and easily frightened, making them unsuitable for homes with small children.

However, they can fall in love deeply with a single person and can become so overprotective. Chihuahuas also love the sunlight and are ill-equipped to handle cold weather.

Chihuahuas seem to not recognize their tiny size and seem to think they are much bigger and tougher than their appearance would dictate.

But they don’t like being left alone and shouldn’t be left for more than 4 hours at a time. If you decide you regularly need to leave your Chihuahua home alone, consider getting two of them. They typically do better as a pair.   

Rottweiler: 6 hours

A working dog class dog, also known as butcher dogs, Rottweilers are by nature territorial and can serve to be good guard dogs. They also the second most dangerous dog breed in the world after Pitbulls who have caused the most human fatalities.

Rottweilers also are used by the military and the police and can be search and rescue dogs. Without a calm, firm, and stable leadership, however, a Rottweiler may become out of control and destructive.

The dogs can be left alone for 6 hours a day, but then you must treat them to a walk or a companionship building activity afterward.

Keep your dog occupied

To help keep your dog busy when alone, consider getting them new toys.

One option is to subscribe to a service like Bark Box, which provides a monthly collection of toys and treats. 

Limit leaving your dog home alone for extended periods

If you’re not going to be able to give a dog the time and attention they deserve, don’t get one. For any dog, being left alone routinely for more than 8 to 10 hours can cause stress and anxiety. Most dogs want to be with their people 24/7. 

If you have to leave your dog for extended periods, be sure they get plenty of exercise and attention from you when you are home. It’s also a good idea to provide some stimulation to prevent when they are home alone for extended periods.

Consider getting your dog interactive feeders or puzzle toys. It’s also a good idea to consider hiring a dog walker to come by and give your pup a break if you can’t come home during the day.

Amanda Jerelyn works as a Lifestyle Blogger at Assignment Assistance, where higher education students can acquire professional assistance for their subjects and topics from experts. During her free time, she likes to engross herself in the world of popular fiction, such as the likes of the famous J.R. Tolkien.

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