Each breed of dog brings with it its own needs, personality, and loving companionship, with some requiring more attention, exercise, or company than others. Whether you’re looking to bring a new four-legged friend home to your family or you want to give your pet the best, it’s important to meet the needs of these 20 breeds to keep them happy and healthy.
Labrador Retriever
Known for their affectionate nature and love of human companionship, Labradors, when left alone for long periods of time, can experience separation anxiety. The RSPCA says signs of anxiety include destructive behavior when alone, whining, or excessive excitement when you return.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are an extremely social dog breed and therefore crave constant companionship and attention from their owners. As a result, they are prone to separation anxiety, which may cause destructive behaviors such as chewing or scratching when they are left alone.
German Shepherd
Protective and loyal towards their families, German Shepherds are known for forming a deep bond with their primary caregiver. They require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent becoming bored or frustrated, and this breed can show needy behavior if they feel neglected.
Border Collie
Border Collies require significant exercise to keep them happy. The PDSA says they should have at least two hours of vigorous exercise per day. They recommend “spreading this across the day in several walks with off-lead exercise in a secure area.” Collies are therefore best suited for active families or individuals.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Renowned for being affectionate and clingy, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are often found wanting to be in their owner’s lap. This affection means they aren’t suitable for being left alone regularly or for long periods of time, as they could easily develop separation anxiety.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are an extremely energetic and intelligent breed, and as a result, they need constant engagement and activity. They form strong attachments to their owners, and if they are left alone or feel bored, they can start to show destructive behaviors, such as chewing or scratching.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are known for their loyalty, and they often follow their owners around the house. This means that when they are left alone or not given enough attention, they can become anxious and destructive. Calming Dog says signs of anxiety include “whimpering, running away, tail tucking, or panting.”
French Bulldog
This breed of dog thrives on human interaction and, as a result, doesn’t like to be left alone. They are relatively low on energy and therefore don’t require too much exercise, but they do need companionship and play to prevent them from developing behavioral issues.
Boxer
Boxers are very family-oriented and suffer from boredom when they are not included in daily activities. They need plenty of exercise and playtime to manage their high energy levels and prevent them from developing anxiety. These dogs can also become clingy and overly dependent on their owners for reassurance.
Yorkshire Terrier
These small dogs prefer to be with their owner at all times and are very affectionate towards their family members. As a result, they are not well suited for being left alone for long periods of time, as they can develop separation anxiety and behavioral problems.
Cocker Spaniel
Known for their gentle and needy demeanor, Cocker Spaniels often seek attention and affection from their family members. They require regular interaction and play, and as a result, they don’t cope well with being left alone. To prevent anxiety, it’s a good idea for owners to exercise them consistently and engage in play.
Pug
Pugs love constant companionship and can become anxious and unhappy if left alone too often or for long periods of time. PetHelpful suggests that if you do need to leave a dog alone, you can make it as comfortable as possible for them by taking them for a walk first, leaving toys for them to play with, and hiding treats around the house.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas will form deep bonds with their owners and often become very attached and needy. They can become anxious if they are not given enough attention or if their routine changes, and they are also known for developing jealousy. As a result, they need regular interaction and affection, along with moderate daily exercise.
English Bulldog
This breed doesn’t like being left alone and is known for its loyalty and attachment to family members. While they have low energy levels, they enjoy short walks and require regular play throughout the day. They also require companionship to prevent boredom or sadness, which may result in anxiety.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus like to feel like they have constant companionship and are known for following their owners around the house. As a result, they don’t handle being left alone very well and can exhibit signs of distress if left for long periods of time. They also require regular grooming and engaging play.
Bichon Frisé
Known for being a playful and affectionate breed of dog, Bichon Frisés are always seeking more attention from their owners. They are prone to suffering from separation anxiety and, as a result, require constant companionship and engagement. They love interactive play and need regular exercise to keep them happy.
Vizsla
Vizslas are extremely affectionate and known as ‘velcro dogs’ due to their desire to stay close to their owners. According to Dog Time, “These loyal pups cling close to their human family. They thrive on companionship and are eager to please.” These dogs are therefore best suited to families who can provide constant companionship.
Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are often used as service dogs, and this is, in part, due to the strong bond they form with their owner. They are sensitive to their owner’s emotions and love to be involved in family activities; they can also become needy if they’re not given enough attention.
Great Dane
Despite their huge size, Great Danes are known as gentle giants. They crave affection and close contact with their owners, and as a result, they are not well suited to being left alone for long periods of time. Due to their size, they need adequate space to move around, but they love to be part of a family and involved in daily activities.
Maltese
Maltese thrive on love and affection from their owners and are known to become anxious if neglected. They love to be pampered and involved in family activities due to their need for constant companionship. Maltese also need regular playtime to stay engaged and happy.
Read More: 20 Habits That Indicate You’re A Selfish Person
Selfish individuals often exhibit certain habits that can negatively impact those around them. Recognizing these traits can help in dealing with or avoiding negative influences. Here are 20 habits that may indicate someone is a selfish person.
20 Habits That Indicate You’re A Selfish Person
18 Misunderstood Acts The Bible Says Aren’t Actually Sins
People tend to assume that the Bible condemns a wide array of behaviors, but the reality might surprise you. Here, we zoom in on 18 so-called “sins” that may not be as bad as we thought.
18 Misunderstood Acts The Bible Says Aren’t Actually Sins
18 Things You’re Far Too Old To Be Doing Anymore
As we grow older, it’s a great time to reevaluate our choices and habits. In this article, we’ll explore 18 things you may still be doing even though you may be too old.
18 Things You’re Far Too Old To Be Doing Anymore
18 Things That Become Intolerable as You Get Older
As people age, they sometimes don’t find as much joy in things as they used to. An internet survey recently asked, “What are you starting to dislike more as you get older?” Here are the top 19 responses.
18 Things That Become Intolerable as You Get Older
The Boomers Called It: 19 Stupid Trends That Backfired
Sometimes, we get carried away with trends that we think are cool at the time, only to realize later how utterly ridiculous they were. Join us as we take a cringe-worthy trip down memory lane and explore 19 stupid trends that backfired. Prepare for some facepalms!