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7 Dog Breeds that are Independent

Siberian Husky standing on hill in nature

We have all heard of “Velcro” dogs that attach themselves to a person and follow them everywhere. But what about dog breeds that are perfectly happy on their own? Here are 7 dog breeds that are independent.

Afghan Hound

a pair Afghan Hound standning on leaf covered ground with trees in background

Unsurprisingly, this dog breed finds its origin in the course terrain of Afghanistan and neighboring regions. The unique coat of these dogs offers an insight into their ancient past. Their long hair and thick fur keep them warm in the colder climates of Afghanistan. They were introduced to the UK in the 19th century as a gift from the Afghan royal family.

Due to their typical nature and impressive speed, Afghan Hounds were used for hunting purposes. According to some people, they could have been used to take down snow leopards. Like most of the dog breeds that are independent, Afghan Hounds can be a little difficult to train. Their stubborn nature proves daunting, even for the most experienced and patient owners.

The Afghan Hound is as aloof as a dog can possibly get. However, this does not mean that these dogs don’t know how to have fun. Many dogs of this breed are quite playful.

Akita

Akita standing in grass covered yard with tree and shrubs in background

Akita is a large dog breed from Japan. Although they were bred as hunters, Akitas were often used to protect important people. Given such a background, it is no surprise that these dogs are loyal, brave, and independent.

It is hard to train Akitas but they are not as stubborn as some other breeds on this list. Given their companionable nature, these dogs don’t like to be left alone for long periods. An under-stimulated Akita is much more likely to be aggressive.

This dog breed is difficult to train because it doesn’t get along well with other canines. This makes Akitas unsuitable for families with other pets and children. However, they can become loving and caring companions through proper training and socialization.

Beagle

Beagle running through grass field

Originally, Beagles were bred to chase rodents. This is the reason why these strong and lean dogs love to chase small animals. Anything that has an intriguing scent will be chased by a Beagle if he/she catches a whiff. This little ruffian can be found in a variety of coat colors including black, tan, white, red, and even blue.

Although Beagles are small and playful, they are the most stubborn dogs in this list. Due to their energetic nature, Beagles tend to bark a lot which can be an issue for some families. Similarly, these small dogs are packed with an attitude that only the most patient owners can withstand. Despite all these difficulties, a well-trained Beagle makes a great canine family member.

Beagles love to be independent and leaving one alone is usually not a good idea. This is because these hounds may end up in trouble if left unchecked.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier in field of wildflowers

As the name suggests, Cairn Terriers were developed in Scotland. Bred on the Isle of Skye, the original purpose of this breed was to kill vermin. Alongside intelligence and independent nature, modern-day Cairn Terriers do inherit the instinct of chasing small animals from their ancestors.

All these characteristics don’t mean that this dog breed is not suitable for domestic life. It is POSSIBLE to train a Cairn Terrier as a pet but it will require a lot of experience. This is because these canines are not very good at obeying.

However, patient owners who want a challenge can certainly try to calm this rebellious dog. Irrespective of the circumstances, scolding or physical punishment is NEVER an option because it will do more harm than good. If you are consistent enough with the training, you can get an extremely loyal companion by your side.

Greyhound

Greyhound standing on barrier lined road

Greyhounds make great pets due to their quiet and laid-back attitude. This sweet-natured breed is considered quite intelligent but they don’t care much about pleasing people. Owing to their independent nature, this breed can be a little harder to train for new parents.

Greyhounds look like they are built for speed, and that is true. Being one of the fastest dog breeds, these dogs can reach around 40 miles per hour. This combined with a strong prey drive makes a Greyhound an excellent hound. However, they cannot run for long because of their relatively lesser endurance as compared to other dogs.

The downside of these good attributes is that they can’t be left alone in open areas. They can jump extremely high and have shown the tendencies to run away. Therefore, it is important to keep them on a leash when you take Greyhounds for a walk.

Shiba Inu

Pair of Shiba Inu standing in fence opening in yard

Despite its size, Shiba Inu is one of those dog breeds who have a history of hunting boars. Originally, these dogs were used to hunt small animals, but their strong prey drive placed them on boar hunts. Just like its fellow hunter dogs, Shiba Inus are bold and intelligent.

The modern-day Shiba Inu is a popular companion dog due to its loyalty and grace. Many people describe the breed’s attitude as “superior”, which is probably a good way to describe it. This causes Shiba Inus to sometimes show aggression towards other dogs.

The independent nature means that these dogs can be difficult to train. It’s an intelligent breed, so it can pick up training easily. The question is whether he wants to do what you say. Therefore, obedience training should begin early in their lives.

Siberian Husky

Portrait of Siberian Husky

This dog breed offers a complete package. Siberian Huskies are intelligent, brave, athletic, and affectionate. Although they are intelligent, Huskies require an extremely patient approach to training due to their independent nature.

If not trained correctly, they can become disobedient and difficult to manage. For this reason, they are not usually recommended for first-time dog owners or those with little training experience. On the plus side, these canines do not beg for a ton of attention like many other dog breeds.

Owing to their working background, Huskies like to roam a lot. Consequently, it is important to make your home and garden sufficiently enclosed to prevent your Husky from caving into wanderlust. Similarly, these born-runners must on a leash (at all times) when they go outside. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

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