Dogs that can be left alone: the most independent breeds

No dog is made to stay alone eight hours a day, every day. Some more independent breeds do cope better with your absences, though. Think about a dog walker or doggy daycare too.

Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.

Refine with your own criteria

Chow Chow

China · Spitz and primitive types

Medium · calm · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Shar Pei

China · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Medium · calm · low coat care

Demanding to train
Shiba Inu

Japan · Spitz and primitive types

Small · moderate energy · low coat care

Sheds a lot
Akita

Japan · Spitz and primitive types

Large · moderate energy · average coat care

Sheds a lot
American Akita

Japan (developed in the United States) · Spitz and primitive types

Large · moderate energy · average coat care

Sheds a lot
Great Pyrenees

Pyrenees Mountains, France · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · average coat care

Sheds a lot
Scottish Terrier

Scotland · Terriers

Very small · moderate energy · high coat care

High-maintenance coat
Kangal Shepherd Dog

Sivas, Turkey · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · moderate energy · low coat care

Sheds a lot
Tibetan Mastiff

Tibet · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Russia · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · calm · average coat care

Sheds a lot
Akbash

Turkey

Giant · moderate energy · low coat care

Sheds a lot
Komondor

Hungary · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Giant · moderate energy · very high coat care

Not suited to apartment living
Kuvasz

Hungary · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Giant · moderate energy · average coat care

Sheds a lot

The breeds that cope worst with being alone

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