DoggyQ

12 Active Dogs That Can Be Left Alone

You want a running partner, but the dog still has to survive your working day without dismantling the sofa. These breeds have the stamina for evenings and weekends and the temperament to switch off in between.

12 Active Dogs That Can Be Left Alone — our top picks

1

Mudhol Hound

Indian sighthound with exceptional stamina and speed. Hardy coursing breed adapted to hot climates with strong hunting drive.

2

Saluki

Ancient Persian sighthound with feathered or smooth coat. Independent, gentle, and built for endurance running.

3

Sloughi

Ancient North African sighthound. Elegant and noble hunter with aloof dignity.

4

Canadian Eskimo Dog

Rare Arctic sled dog from Canada. One of North America's oldest and rarest breeds.

5

East Siberian Laika

Largest of the Russian Laika breeds. Powerful hunting dog used for large game.

6

Jämthund

Swedish Elkhound, larger than Norwegian variety. Hardy hunting dog bred for large game.

7

Greenland Dog

Ancient Arctic sled dog from Greenland. Hardy, independent, and built for extreme cold conditions.

8

Shikoku

Japanese spitz breed from Shikoku island. Primitive hunter with wolf-like appearance.

9

Tesem

Ancient Egyptian breed, now extinct. Short-legged hunting dog with curved tail depicted in hieroglyphs.

10

American Foxhound

Virginia state dog, lighter than English cousin. Independent, musical voice, bred for American terrain.

11

Karelian Bear Dog

Finnish bear hunting dog with black and white coat. Fearless and independent hunting specialist.

12

Korean Jindo

Korean national treasure breed. Independent, loyal, and extremely intelligent with strong homing instincts.

How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that matter most for this lifestyle — energy, size, temperament, grooming and trainability — using our vet-reviewed breed database. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking personalised to you.

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Frequently asked questions

Which active dog can be left alone during the day?
Based on temperament and care needs, the Mudhol Hound ranks as the top choice for runners and hikers who work full-time, followed by the Saluki and Sloughi.
How was this list of dogs for runners and hikers who work full-time chosen?
Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for runners and hikers who work full-time — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.

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