Dog Breeds With The Worst Separation Anxiety Who Hate Being Left Alone

No loving pet owner likes to be away from their dog. Whether you’re running out for a quick trip to the grocery store or going to work for the day, it’s never easy to part with your pup for any amount of time. But while it’s certainly difficult for people to be away from their dogs, it’s often the dogs who really suffer the worst separation anxiety.

Now, scientists have established that these specific breeds suffer from the worst separation anxiety. Does your furry friend belong to one of these 12 breeds?

1. Toy poodle

It should come as no surprise that these dogs, bred for the sole purpose of companionship, don’t exactly fare well when their owners are away for any given amount of time. It’s just in their nature to crave constant interaction.

2. German Shepherd

Known for performing a wide variety of tasks that range from herding sheep on farms and serving alongside the police, you’d think these dogs couldn’t be any more calm and collected. Yet despite their seemingly stoic personalities, researchers have found that German shepherds are among the dog breeds who suffer the most from separation anxiety.

3. Havanese

These small Cuban dogs were pretty much bred to be the perfect family companions. When they are left to their own devices, unfortunately, their separation anxiety really kicks it into high gear.

4. Labrador Retriever

Everyone loves a Labrador. As one of the most family-friendly dogs, you’d expect these dogs to be incredibly happy throughout the day, no matter what. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. As family dogs, it only makes sense that Labs enjoy the time they spend around people. So when they’re left alone—even for short periods of time—their separation anxiety can be intense.

5. Cocker Spaniel

As gun dogs, cocker spaniels are accustomed to spending long hours in the great outdoors with their owners. And while they are fantastic companions, they’ve developed some temperament issues over the years.

6. Border Collie

Often noted by people as little balls of energy, these intelligent sport dogs are always looking for new ways to keep themselves busy. When they’re not out running around with their owners, they need ways to bide their time. Unfortunately for border collies, their constant need for exercise, mental stimulation, and entertainment throughout the day often leads to severe cases of separation anxiety when their owners are away.

7. Bichon Frise

These lapdogs don’t enjoy being away from their owners. The sudden change in the amount of attention they receive while their humans aren’t at home is enough to give them severe anxiety.

8. Australian Shepherd

These active dogs are known for their relentless work ethic that includes herding livestock on the busiest farms. But that’s okay for them, because they love to get in the dirt and lend a helping paw! That said, things aren’t always peachy. Their need for stimulation certainly helps explain why the Australian shepherd doesn’t fare too well when it comes to fighting boredom. In fact, when there’s nothing left to do, it often leads to these pups becoming quite anxious.

9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

As is the case with the majority of companion dogs, these spaniels aren’t fond of being left alone. So when they’re looking for ways to fill their time, they often struggle with anxiety.

10. Vizsla

Bred as loyal hunting dogs, Vizslas have often been referred to as a “Velcro dog,” meaning they love to stick by their humans’ sides at all times. They go to great lengths to please their owners, too. These active Hungarian pups often aim to please their owners in the great outdoors. When they’re left alone for longer periods of time, the side effects of separation anxiety kick in rather quickly, and they struggle to fill the dull moments in a day.

11. Italian Greyhound

While you might recognize greyhounds as an active and agile breed, the Italian ones are just as happy to lounge around with their companions as they are to be running through a field. When they’re alone, they become incredibly anxious.

12. German Shorthaired Pointer

As one of the most popular hunting dog breeds, these dogs are bred for working long hours alongside their owners. So it only makes sense that when their owners are away, they have a hard time adapting.

Over the years, researchers have found that some breeds of dogs are much more likely to suffer from severe separation anxiety. While the condition isn’t exclusive to these specific breeds, they are more prone to it than other breeds.

If you own any of these breeds, make sure you give them some extra time and attention that they need in order to thrive!