12 Best Dogs That Can Be Left Alone — our top picks
Shar Pei
Shar Pei: very high independence, low barking and low energy — able to handle a working day alone without unravelling. Chinese breed with distinctive wrinkles and blue-black tongue. Independent and loyal but can be aloof.
Chow Chow
Chow Chow: very high independence, low barking and low energy — able to handle a working day alone without unravelling. Ancient Chinese breed with blue-black tongue and lion-like mane. Independent and dignified with strong protective instincts. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Chow Chow needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu: very high independence, low barking and medium energy — able to handle a working day alone without unravelling. Smallest Japanese spitz breed with fox-like appearance. Independent, clean, and alert with strong personality. Worth knowing before you commit: the Shiba Inu sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Basenji
Basenji: very high independence and very low barking. Barkless African hunting dog with cat-like cleanliness. Independent, intelligent, and unique. Worth knowing before you commit: the Basenji needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Pekingese
Pekingese: very high independence, medium barking and low energy. Ancient Chinese breed with lion-like mane and dignified bearing. Independent and somewhat aloof companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Pekingese needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Anatolian Shepherd Dog: very high independence, medium barking and medium energy. Large, powerful livestock guardian from Turkey. Extremely independent and protective, bred to work autonomously in harsh conditions. Worth knowing before you commit: the Anatolian Shepherd Dog sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Great Pyrenees
Great Pyrenees: very high independence and low energy. French livestock guardian with independent nature. Gentle with family, protective of property. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Great Pyrenees needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso: very high independence and medium energy. Tibetan breed with floor-length coat and watchful nature. Independent and somewhat aloof but devoted. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Lhasa Apso needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Akita
Akita: high independence, low barking and medium energy. Japanese spitz-type guardian with dignified bearing. Loyal, courageous, and devoted to family. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Akita needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Akipoo
Akipoo: high independence, low barking and medium energy. Akita and Poodle cross combining guardian instincts with intelligence. Large, protective companion with reduced shedding. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Akipoo needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgeback: high independence and low barking. African lion hunter with distinctive ridge of hair on back. Strong, athletic, and independent breed. Worth knowing before you commit: the Rhodesian Ridgeback needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Scottish Terrier
Scottish Terrier: high independence, medium barking and medium energy. Dignified Scottish terrier with distinctive beard. Independent, confident, and devoted to family. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Scottish Terrier needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or see which breed you look like from a single photo.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for owners who work away from home
Vizsla
The Vizsla is a popular choice, but very low independence and very high energy put it at odds with owners who work away from home. On top of that, the Vizsla needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a popular choice, but low independence and very high energy put it at odds with owners who work away from home. On top of that, the Belgian Malinois needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a popular choice, but low independence and very high energy put it at odds with owners who work away from home. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Border Collie needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Which dog do you look like?
Take one photo and an AI model tells you which of our 321 breeds you most resemble, and which features gave it away. Free, no account, and your photo is never stored. It is a game rather than advice — but every match links straight into that breed's real guide.
See which dog you look likeFrequently asked questions
- Which dog breeds can be left alone during the workday?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Shar Pei ranks as the top choice for owners who work away from home, followed by the Chow Chow and Shiba Inu.
- How was this list of dogs for owners who work away from home chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for owners who work away from home — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. The same trait ratings are printed on each breed's own guide page, so you can check why a breed placed where it did.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for owners who work away from home?
- The Vizsla, The Belgian Malinois, The Border Collie all rank near the bottom for owners who work away from home despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.