Working from home has become a widespread necessity in recent years, particularly since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Census Bureau, 17.9% of people (27.6 million) worked from home in 2021, a three-fold increase from 2019.
And, as more people transitioned to remote work during the pandemic, they adopted pets. The pandemic may be over, but telecommuting is here to stay, as is dog ownership. These are the best dog breeds for remote workers.
What dog breed traits are important for remote workers?
Some breeds need more attention than others. If you’re going to be at home a lot, you won’t necessarily need a dog who’s happy to be alone all day, but it might be best to look for a dog that’s happy to be alone and amuse themselves for a little while. After all, you might be at home, but you’re still working – and there might be times, such as if you have an important video call, during which you won’t be able to interact with your pup.
Likewise, dogs with lower energy levels and exercise requirements might be a better fit for remote workers. Maybe you need calm and quiet to get your work done. In this case, a very energetic and bouncy dog might not be the best fit. And, if you’re having a particularly busy day and you only have time for a short walk, a dog with high exercise needs might not be right for you.
Dogs that are easier to train will likely be better for remote workers too. You might not want a dog who barks whenever the doorbell goes, or who whines when they can’t be in the office with you, if you work from home.
Of course, everyone’s requirements and circumstances will be different. If you’re working from home in a smaller apartment, the dog breeds best for you might be different from the dog breeds best for someone who works from home in a large house. Likewise, if you only work part-time, or your partner doesn’t work, you might have more flexibility in terms of finding the right breed than somebody who lives alone and works long hours.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is small and affectionate, making them a great co-working companion. They don’t cope well when their owners are out all day, but should be able to amuse themselves in short bursts to allow you to work. They’re also easy to train, and have moderate exercise needs, making them one of the best dogs for remote workers.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are able to cope with some alone time if you need to get some work done without any distractions, and they’re often happy with shorter walks if you’re having a busy day. They’re easy to train, too, so they should be quite content to amuse themselves with a favorite toy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is easy to train and shouldn’t be too distracting, making them one of the best dog breeds for remote workers. These adorable dogs might struggle with being away from their owners, but fortunately, you’ll barely notice them if they’re in the same room as you while you’re working. That is, if you can resist giving them a fuss every five minutes!
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs, and while they enjoy walks they’re also quite happy to be by your side while you work. They like plenty of love and affection, but they’re happy to amuse themselves if you’re busy working too.
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is very popular right now, and they’re a particularly good fit for remote workers. They don’t require a lot of exercise, so if you’re busy just a short walk or even some exercise in the yard would suffice. They don’t like being left alone for too long, but should be able to cope for short bursts if you need to get some work done.
Maltese
Maltese dogs are small and quiet, so won’t make too much noise or cause too many distractions while you work. In fact, they’ll probably be perfectly happy sitting in your lap while you’re at your desk. They’re easy to train too, which always helps.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is obedient and easy to train, and doesn’t need a lot of exercise, so they’ll be ideal for many remote workers. They can be quite loud, however, so if you have a video call or meeting you might want to make sure they’re kept occupied with some treats and toys.
Pug
The Pug doesn’t need a lot of exercise, and they’ll be quite happy sitting quietly beside you while you work – they’re just happy to be around you! With some careful training, Pugs can be great dogs for remote workers, and a great distraction if you need a few minutes away from your computer screen.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are playful and affectionate, and love their owners. And they’re happy spending time alone, too, which comes in useful if your manager schedules an important video call. They don’t need long walks, either. So, if you’re tied up with work every so often, it won’t be an issue. Overall, they’re one of the best dog breeds for remote workers.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier can manage being left alone for short periods of time, so they might suit a remote worker better than somebody who’s out of the house all day. They’re affectionate, and fairly easy to train, making them a great pet for a remote worker. However, they can bark and yap. So, if you have a video call, it’s best to make sure they’re content beforehand.
Learn more about working from home with dogs
Wondering how to balance life as a dog owner with remote work? Check out our survival guide for dog parents who work from home!
