Choosing a Dog that can adapt to being left alone for short periods.
Before choosing any dog to suit your lifestyle requirements you should read our Guide to Choosing a Pet Dog to get an overall view of the many areas you should consider before making your final decision to get the right pet dog for you.

• How active are you, what are your energy levels? The activity levels of dog breeds will vary, many dogs require long walks and outside exercise (boredom and bad behaviour often result from lack of exercise}

• What size of dog would suit your lifestyle:- (dogs fall into three size groupings- small, medium and large),
  Is your accommodation and outside space sufficient for a large dog?
  Are you able to handle a larger dog on walks?
  Could you lift or carry a larger dog if necessary?
  Small dogs can also be full of energy and busy dogs at home can cause all sorts of problems

• How much time can you give to your pet dog. Apart from exercise, dogs could make other demands on your time.
  Easy to train dogs obviously require less time spent on training.
  Little or no grooming may be a factor.
  Do you require a dog that likes playing or a more docile “lapdog”?

• Noise levels…many dogs react to unfamiliar noises, some by barking or growling and others who may be more shy or reserved can become frightened. Extreme barking can obviously cause problems for you or your neighbours.

• Will you need to leave your dog alone for short periods? (Doctor or hospital visits even social visits to “dog free” zones). Some dogs can cope with this, others, unless trained, find it difficult and can get bored.

• Will the added cost of keeping a dog fit in with your lifestyle and circumstances?
  

Some suggestions for Dog Types that are happy to be left alone.

Dog Breed

Bichon Frise - Good natured small dogs that make excellent pets . Very attractive and distinctive with a predominately white coat and a pocket-sized appeal, they do not need particularly long walks and are just happy in big houses or small flats Good with children and other pets they make excellent gentle and loving companions. Borzoi Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - A generally playful dog that likes human company, but are sometimes reserved with strangers. Affectionate and devoted to owners and children, good with other pets and friendly towards unfamiliar dogs, thrives on human contact and will love being part of your family. They are happy in big houses or small flats and are intelligent and easy to train. Cocker Spaniel - Medium sized dog that is friendly, energetic and keen to please. Good with children and other dogs the Cocker Spaniel makes an ideal family pet. Has lots of energy and can be trained with patience Greyhound Loyal, affectionate, calm dogs with a wonderful even temper. Loves human company and belonging to a family, despite appearances loves to relax at home.after walks. Loves children and are generally very affectionate. Great Dane Exhuberant, outgoing dogs that can sometimes be stubborn and independent. Moderately easy to train (but easy to housetrain). Likes to be part of the family and if exercised properly will often be quiet at home, Generally make good guard dog possibly due to appearance rather than aggression.. Pekingese - Small affectionate little dogs with long silky coats and a shortened pug like face. They are affectionate but have independent personalities. Pekingese usually get along well with other dogs and people, but may be wary of strangers. They need regular grooming but require little exercise. Pug - A small dog that is sociable, homely, companionable and friendly , their playful and clownish nature makes them ideal family pets. Not overly intelligent which means patience is required when training..Has a low exercise requirement but can be high-energy dogs that love to cuddle. Can shed quite a bit which mighy require regular grooming. Shih-Tzu - Active, friendly, alert little dogs with an independent nature.Affectionate and devoted to their owners, good with children and other animals They live for human companionship; and have a have a sweet, gentle disposition Their long coats can require high-maintenance grooming, or they can be trimmed in a "puppy cut" which requires less Whippet A sleek, handsome and very fast sight hound which makes an excellent family pet. Gentle, affectionate, friendly, and easy-going, very good with children but can be difficult to control on walks.

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