Top 12+ Dog Breeds That Hate Being Alone

12. Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retrievers may be America's most popular dog breed, but these friendly companions struggle significantly with solitude. Bred as working dogs that collaborated closely with humans, Labs form intense bonds with their families and experience genuine distress when separated from them. Their social nature means they typically view time alone as punishment rather than a normal part of the day. When left by themselves for extended periods, Labs often express their unhappiness through destructive chewing—particularly targeting personal items that carry their owner's scent. Many Lab owners return home to find shoes, pillows, or furniture damaged. This isn't misbehavior but rather a manifestation of their anxiety and need for human connection.

11. Border Collies

Border Collies possess extraordinary intelligence and an intense work drive that requires regular mental and physical stimulation. These herding dogs were developed to work alongside shepherds all day, making constant human interaction part of their genetic programming. When left alone, their brilliant minds and boundless energy can turn destructive very quickly. A bored and lonely Border Collie may resort to obsessive behaviors like chasing shadows, digging, or dismantling household items with surgical precision. Their problem-solving abilities make them experts at escaping yards or crates when they feel abandoned. Border Collies require homes where someone is present most of the time or where they can accompany their owners throughout the day. Without proper companionship, these dogs can develop serious anxiety issues that are difficult to reverse.

10. German Shepherds

German Shepherds form extraordinarily strong bonds with their families and consider protecting them their primary purpose in life. These loyal guardians experience significant stress when separated from those they're instinctively driven to watch over. The breed's high intelligence and working background make isolation particularly challenging, as they need regular mental engagement. When left alone, German Shepherds may pace anxiously, howl, or engage in destructive behaviors—often focused on barriers like doors or windows that separate them from their people. Their distress isn't just emotional; many develop stress-related digestive issues or compulsive behaviors when regularly left alone. German Shepherds thrive in environments where they can remain active participants in family life rather than being relegated to backyard living or long periods of isolation.

9. Bichon Frise

Despite their small size, Bichon Frise dogs have outsized attachment needs. These cheerful, cotton-ball-like companions were historically bred to be devoted lapdogs for European nobility, spending virtually every moment in their owners' presence. This centuries-old breeding has created a dog that genuinely suffers when left alone. Bichons commonly express their separation distress through excessive barking, inappropriate elimination, and destructive behaviors that seem out of character for their otherwise gentle temperament. Their need for human contact is so profound that many Bichon owners report their dogs following them from room to room, unable to relax unless in direct proximity to their person. The breed's sensitive nature means they're also more likely to develop lasting psychological effects from regular isolation, including depression and generalized anxiety that persists even when their owners return.

8. Australian Shepherds

Australian Shepherds possess boundless energy and exceptional intelligence that requires constant direction. Originally bred to work closely with ranchers, "Aussies" have a genetic predisposition to stay engaged with humans throughout the day. This breed experiences isolation as particularly stressful because their natural instinct is to be working under human guidance. A lonely Australian Shepherd often becomes destructive not out of spite but from genuine psychological distress and understimulation. Their herding background means they're constantly seeking something to control, and without proper outlets, they may begin herding household objects, other pets, or even develop compulsive behaviors like tail-chasing. The breed's sensitivity and intense focus on their human family mean they're prone to developing full-blown separation anxiety that can be challenging to address once established.

7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels embody the concept of "velcro dogs" with their unwavering desire to be near their owners. These gentle, affectionate companions were specifically bred to be devoted lapdogs for nobility, creating a breed that genuinely struggles with any form of separation. Their sweet temperament masks a profound dependency on human companionship that makes isolation genuinely traumatic for many Cavaliers. When left alone, these sensitive dogs often exhibit signs of severe anxiety including trembling, excessive vocalization, and stress-related health issues. Their need for attachment isn't merely a training issue but a fundamental aspect of their breeding and temperament. Cavaliers thrive in households where someone is home most of the time or where they can accompany their owners during daily activities, making them poor choices for people with demanding work schedules or frequent travel requirements.

6. Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhounds combine exceptional sensitivity with deep devotion, creating a breed that suffers acutely when left alone. These delicate sighthounds form intense bonds with their owners and experience genuine emotional distress during separation. Their slender build and thin skin makes them physically uncomfortable in solitude as they rely on human companions or other dogs for warmth and security. When isolated, Italian Greyhounds commonly exhibit anxiety through trembling, hiding, or house soiling—even when perfectly trained. This isn't stubbornness but a stress response they cannot control. The breed's fragile physique also means their anxiety manifests physically more readily than in sturdier breeds, with stress-related digestive issues being particularly common. Italian Greyhounds function best in households where they rarely face solitude or where they have canine companions to provide comfort during brief human absences.

5. Poodles

Poodles across all size varieties—standard, miniature, and toy—share an exceptional intelligence and human-oriented nature that makes isolation particularly challenging. These sophisticated dogs were bred to work closely with people, whether retrieving for hunters or performing as circus dogs, creating a breed that craves mental engagement and human interaction. Their problem-solving abilities and sensitivity make them acutely aware of being left behind. When regularly alone, Poodles often develop anxiety behaviors including excessive barking, destructive chewing, or neurotic behaviors like shadow-chasing or tail-spinning. Their intelligence makes these patterns particularly difficult to break once established. Many Poodle owners are surprised by the depth of their dog's attachment, expecting independence from such a capable breed, but their brilliance actually increases their need for social engagement. Poodles require homes where their mental and emotional needs receive as much attention as their distinctive grooming requirements.

4. Vizslas

Vizslas have earned the nickname "velcro dogs" for their extraordinary attachment to their human family members. These Hungarian hunting dogs were historically bred to work in close partnership with a single hunter, creating a breed that forms unusually intense bonds. Vizslas not only dislike being alone—they often seem genuinely incapable of settling or relaxing without their people nearby. When separated from their owners, these sensitive dogs commonly exhibit extreme distress behaviors including howling that can continue for hours, destructive chewing focused on exit points, and even self-harming behaviors like excessive licking that can lead to hot spots. Their athletic builds and high energy levels amplify their distress, as they have tremendous physical resources to channel into their anxiety. Vizslas require households where alone time is minimal, making them poor matches for first-time dog owners or families with demanding work schedules.

3. Shih Tzus

Shih Tzus were developed solely as companion animals for Chinese royalty, with their entire breeding focused on creating dogs that would be constant, devoted presences in their owners' lives. This centuries-old purpose has created a breed genetically programmed for human attachment, with little tolerance for solitude. Despite their reputation for stubbornness in training, Shih Tzus are emotionally dependent and experience genuine distress when separated from their families. Their separation anxiety often manifests as excessive barking, inappropriate elimination, or destructive behaviors directed at entry points like doors or windows. The breed's long history as indoor companions means they lack the independent characteristics found in dogs bred for outdoor work. Many Shih Tzus develop stress-related health issues including digestive problems and compulsive grooming when regularly left alone, making them best suited for households where human companionship is consistently available.

2. Samoyeds

Samoyeds developed in close partnership with nomadic Siberian tribes, where these striking white dogs lived alongside humans 24 hours a day—working, traveling, and sleeping with their families. This heritage created a deeply social breed that experiences isolation as genuinely unnatural. Modern Samoyeds retain this tribal mentality, viewing their human family as their pack and experiencing significant distress when separated from them. When left alone, these typically cheerful dogs often become destructive and extremely vocal, with their distinctive high-pitched "Sammie scream" capable of disturbing entire neighborhoods. Their thick double coats also make them prone to overheating during anxiety episodes, creating potential health risks beyond the psychological impact. Samoyeds thrive in active households where they're included in family activities rather than left behind. Their need for inclusion makes them poorly suited for owners who cannot incorporate them into much of their daily routine.

1. Jack Russell Terriers

Jack Russell Terriers combine exceptional intelligence with relentless energy and a working heritage that makes isolation particularly problematic. These spirited terriers were bred to work alongside hunters all day, giving them a natural expectation of constant activity and human interaction. A Jack Russell left alone not only becomes bored but genuinely distressed, often channeling their anxiety into destructive behaviors that can be astonishingly extensive despite their small size. Their athletic abilities mean they can access seemingly impossible areas of the home when motivated by separation anxiety. Many Jack Russells develop obsessive behaviors like relentless digging, compulsive barking, or self-harming activities when regularly left alone. The breed's determination and problem-solving abilities make their separation anxiety particularly challenging to manage through conventional training methods. Jack Russells require homes where their need for engagement and company is understood as a fundamental breed characteristic rather than misbehavior.

Conclusion: Helping Dogs Cope With Being Alone

Understanding that certain breeds struggle with solitude is the first step toward responsible ownership. For families committed to these companion-oriented breeds, gradual desensitization training from an early age can help dogs develop tolerance for short periods alone. Creating safe, engaging environments with puzzle toys, comfort items carrying the owner's scent, and calming music can reduce anxiety during necessary absences. For many of these breeds, considering a second pet companion can significantly reduce stress, though it's not a complete substitute for human interaction. Professional options like doggy daycare, pet sitters, or dog walkers provide valuable alternatives for working owners. Most importantly, potential dog owners should honestly assess their lifestyle before choosing a breed known for attachment issues. The emotional well-being of these social breeds depends on compatible homes where their need for companionship is respected as an inherent trait rather than a behavioral problem to overcome.