Time alone
Small dogs that can be left alone
Many small dogs were bred to sit on laps, which is exactly why they hate empty houses. The ones on this list are different: independent terriers, spitz types and a few calm companions that cope better than most with quiet hours. Coping isn't the same as loving it, so the four-hour guideline still applies.
- Every breed here is small and scores at least 3 out of 5 for coping alone.
- We sorted by how well they handle time alone first, then by how little they bark.
Small breeds that handle quiet hours
Basenji
Clean, athletic and famously reluctant to bark. A Basenji replaces barking with independence, climbing and inventive escape plans.
- Tolerance of being alone
- High
- Barking
- Very low
- Size
- Low
- Energy
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,100
Shiba Inu
Independent, fastidious and self-contained. A Shiba respects you rather than obeys you.
- Tolerance of being alone
- High
- Barking
- Low
- Size
- Low
- Energy
- Moderate
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,000
Lhasa Apso
Self-possessed, watchful and loyal on its own terms. A Lhasa is less eager to please than its small size suggests.
- Tolerance of being alone
- High
- Barking
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,100
Miniature Pinscher
Tiny, athletic and independently minded. A Min Pin needs secure doors, real training and respect for its terrier-like drive.
- Tolerance of being alone
- High
- Barking
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,000–€1,800
Cairn Terrier
Scruffy, upbeat and satisfyingly sturdy. A Cairn is a proper working terrier, not a decorative small dog.
- Tolerance of being alone
- Moderate
- Barking
- High
- Size
- Low
- Energy
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,100–€1,900
Jack Russell Terrier
Small, fast and utterly convinced of themselves. Great fun if you like a dog with an engine.
- Tolerance of being alone
- Moderate
- Barking
- High
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Very high
- Typical yearly cost
- €900–€1,600
Miniature Schnauzer
Bearded, bright and quietly self-important. A terrier brain in a tidy, low-shedding coat.
- Tolerance of being alone
- Moderate
- Barking
- High
- Size
- Low
- Energy
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,000
Papillon
Delicate-looking but athletic and exceptionally quick to learn. A Papillon wants games, training and sensible physical care.
- Tolerance of being alone
- Moderate
- Barking
- High
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,100–€1,900
Independent, but not always quiet
The Basenji and Shiba Inu are the most self-sufficient small dogs in our data, and both are fairly quiet. Terriers like the Jack Russell, Cairn and Miniature Pinscher cope with time alone but can be vocal at noises in the stairwell — worth knowing in a flat. The Papillon and Miniature Schnauzer are the friendliest trainers of the group.
They're among the most affordable dogs to keep: roughly €900–2,100 a year in our data, with the Jack Russell at the lower end.
Please don't choose from this list if…
- You live with thin walls and noise-sensitive neighbours — several terriers here bark readily.
- You're hoping for a lap dog who wants to be held all evening.
- You have small pets like rabbits or rodents; many terriers were bred to chase them.
Questions people ask us
What small dog can be left alone the longest?
In our data the Basenji, Shiba Inu, Lhasa Apso and Miniature Pinscher cope best with time alone among small breeds. Around four hours at a stretch is still the kind limit.
Are small dogs worse at being left alone?
Many small companion breeds are, because they were bred for constant company. Small terriers and spitz types tend to cope far better.
Which small dogs are good for working people?
The Papillon and Miniature Schnauzer combine reasonable alone-time tolerance with easy training — a good fit if you add a midday walk.
Your week is the other half of the match
A list can only get you so far. The Find My Dog quiz sets your home, your hours and your limits against every breed, and shows you the reasoning behind each score so you can judge it for yourself. It takes two minutes and it's free.
For when your dog comes home
DoggMatch+ helps with the practical side of the first year: training week by week, food portions worked out from your dog's weight, a care calendar and a printable Dog Pack. It's entirely optional, and everything on this page stays free.
See what DoggMatch+ includes