Dogs that cope with being alone
Breeds that handle a few hours on their own better than most.
No dog should be alone all day, but some breeds handle a few hours on their own much better than others. These score highest on our copes-alone scale: often independent breeds that were bred to work away from people. Build it up slowly from a puppy, leave something to chew, and use a dog walker or a friend on long days. A dog that howls or chews the door while you are out is telling you the hours are too long.
Chow ChowCopes alone: 4/5
Pyrenean Mountain DogCopes alone: 4/5
Shiba InuCopes alone: 4/5
AidiCopes alone: 4/5
Bucovina Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
Carpathian Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
Castro Laboreiro DogCopes alone: 4/5
Caucasian Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
Central Asian Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
Cão de Gado TransmontanoCopes alone: 4/5
Kangal Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
KomondorCopes alone: 4/5
Maremmano-Abruzzese SheepdogCopes alone: 4/5
MarkiesjeCopes alone: 4/5
Pyrenean MastiffCopes alone: 4/5
Rafeiro do AlentejoCopes alone: 4/5
Romanian Mioritic Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
Romanian Raven Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
Slovak CuvacCopes alone: 4/5
South Russian OvcharkaCopes alone: 4/5
Spanish MastiffCopes alone: 4/5
Tatra Shepherd DogCopes alone: 4/5
Tibetan MastiffCopes alone: 4/5
TornjakCopes alone: 4/5Scores 1 to 5 are our own estimate from the breed standards and the sources on each breed page, not a published rating. Open a breed for its costs, health and the rules where you live.