Working from home is a luxury in many ways: no commute, a fridge full of healthy food that doesn’t cost a week’s income, and warm sweatpants.
But there’s one thing we’re missing that we didn’t anticipate we’d miss: coworkers. Even when things are difficult, it might get lonely in the home office.
A four-legged coworker can be the ideal option, providing all of the attention and friendship while avoiding the loud, unpleasant phone calls.
However, breeds differ, and not every puppy’s résumé is comparable. For example, you might wish to avoid high-energy canines in favor of a more peaceful friend.
To acquire some recruiting tips, we polled vets on the best dogs for the job. Continue reading to learn about the eight greatest dog breeds for working from home.
Poodle
Aside from fancy hairstyles, the Poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds, according to Deepanshu Bedi, marketing director of Holistapet.
They’re easy to teach, quiet, hypoallergenic, and content to stay indoors. They can even be trained to use the litterbox! They’re also good with kids and “will quietly snuggle with you while you work.”
According to Bedi, poodles are extremely attentive to their owners’ demands (which puts them ahead of the majority of human coworkers).
He goes on to say that poodles are divided into three sub-breeds: standard, toy, and miniature. “If you want a less active animal, choose a standard breed.”
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Greyhound
According to Jenna Mahan, qualified veterinary technician and head of claims at Embrace Pet Insurance, “most Greyhounds are content to sprawl out on your couch, preferably tucked in under a blankie.”
They’re generally quiet and clean creatures with sweet demeanors and manners.”
According to Emma Thompson, a trained veterinary nurse who operates the online pet portal Jaxery, one type of Greyhound is particularly suitable for those who work from home.
“Italian Greyhounds are low maintenance in the sense that they don’t require much grooming and only require one walk per day.”
They’re also quite affectionate and enjoy being in close proximity to their owners, so they’d be content sitting by your feet or on your lap while you work.”
Thompson did offer one caveat. “But if you work from home, that wouldn’t matter at all!” the slimline canines don’t enjoy being left alone for long periods of time.
Maltese
Small dogs make ideal office companions since they can sleep in your lap while you work. As a result, according to Aaron Rice, a professional dog trainer at Stayyy,
Maltese are one of the most preferred breeds for those who work from home. “These are little and calm dogs who don’t require a lot of space to wander around…
They are also incredibly intelligent and simple to teach, making them an excellent companion for anyone who want to spend more time at home.”
Chihuahua
Linda Simon, veterinary surgeon and consultant at FiveBarks, votes for the chihuahua, the world’s smallest dog breed, in keeping with the smaller-is-better ethos.
“When working from home, there will be specific characteristics you look for in your coworker. You do not want a needy or clingy dog, nor one who is very boisterous.
Rather, you’ll want a laid-back canine who can keep themselves busy and doesn’t get into too much mischief.”
Chihuahuas don’t require a lot of exercise, which is great if you can’t get away from your desk for a stroll, but they do like attention, so “make sure to spend plenty of time with them on your break,” Simon recommends.
Great Dane
Small dogs are not suitable for everyone. If you like to size up, you’ll be glad to know that Great Danes make excellent office companions.
These gentle giants are “absolutely couch potatoes and will be fine with just a walk every day,” according to Mahan. “They’re not usually excitable, except when someone new comes to pet them.”
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Their placid demeanor makes them quiet and trainable, making them a top big dog breed for those working from home, as long as they have somewhere to stretch out for a sleep.”
Just make sure your home office is large enough to accommodate both your desk and their dog bed.
Labrador Retriever
According to Corinne Wigfall, registered veterinarian and veterinary spokeswoman for SpiritDog Training, Labrador Retrievers are an excellent all-around choice.
“They will sit at your feet and keep you company all day while you work.” She did point out that Labs need at least 40 minutes of activity every day,
but this “will help you get out of the house and top up your step count after your work day is done so you can unwind and relax after a hard day in the home office.”
Labs are also easy to train, amiable, and get along well with both children and other dogs.
Golden Retriever
According to Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist and researcher, the perfect dog breed for a remote job should be equal parts calm and active.
“You want them to be mellow enough not to distract you at work, but also active enough to go for regular walks with you.” Having a pet walking buddy encourages necessary physical activity.”
When it comes to these characteristics, Golden Retrievers are pure gold. “These dogs have an innate ability to match their human’s energy,
so they’ll be lazy when you’re distracted with work, but also willing to join you for an afternoon or evening jaunt around the neighborhood,” Venn-Watson explains.