17 Vet-Picked Companion Dog Breeds For Remote Workers

Remote working has definite perks, no daily commute, no one stealing your snacks out of the communal fridge and spending more time with your canine companion! It’s no wonder that many people who work from home decide to take the leap into pet ownership. But what breed should you choose?

When choosing your perfect canine work buddy, it’s important to think about what qualities are desirable. These might include:

• Moderate energy levels so that your pet doesn’t get bored
• Content to be ignored for periods while you attend virtual meetings
• Friendly and enjoy having their owner around
• Quiet enough that you can concentrate on work
• Low maintenance needs, that don’t require regular grooming

High-energy or working dogs like Border Collies, Siberian Huskies, Boxers, and Dalmatians are likely to become frustrated and bored by hours of watching you at your computer. Giant, fluffy dogs also won’t feature on our list. While St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, and Bernese Mountain Dogs might be suitable on the moderate energy front, the amount of grooming and care they require could eat into your work time.

Dachshunds can make the perfect companion dogs for remote workers. Their moderate energy levels mean that they don’t need long walks, and they are quite happy pottering around the house. Their low-maintenance coats and compact size, alongside their loyal nature, make them an attractive choice.

However potential owners need to be aware these dogs are prone to spinal issues such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Pet insurance can help to protect you against the cost of veterinary treatment should your pup be one of the unlucky ones.

A slightly odd choice perhaps, given that this breed can be pretty energetic. But known as the ‘Velcro dog’, Hungarian Vizslas thrive on human companionship, so it feels only right to include them. A remote working situation could work well for these loyal dogs, who prefer to stay by their owner’s side. 

They are also a very versatile breed with a low risk of inherited health concerns and an easy-to-care-for coat. Just make sure that you take your full lunch break to give your Vizslas legs a good stretch.

The friendly and reliable Labrador Retriever – of course, it had to feature on our list! With the right approach and consistency, Labradors are easy to train, which make them a well-mannered work companion. They have moderate exercise requirements compared to other breeds of a similar size, so should be happy staying at home on the sofa for a few hours while you work.

Just make sure that they receive enough exercise during your breaks to keep boredom at bay. They also have low-maintenance coats and are not known for excessive barking in the house.

This sweet-natured dog is the perfect size for many remote workers. Small enough to be compact, but not so tiny that you would trip over them, the Cavalier King Charles has a gentle, quiet and loyal nature. Plus, they are extremely attractive with their feathery ears and beautiful coat colours.

It’s easy to see why they are a popular choice. Potential owners should be aware that this breed is at risk from mitral valve disease (MVD) especially as they age. This heart condition can require regular medication and vet check-ups.

The Papillon (meaning ‘butterfly’) can trace its history back 500 years when it was bred to be a companion for noblewomen. Its name arises from its large butterfly-like ears and, as you would expect, this is a very attractive little dog.

Hundreds of years of breeding for companionship means this would be the perfect choice for someone who wants a lap warmer. This elegant little dog has modest exercise needs but will need a bit of mental stimulation due to their intelligence.

Shih Tzus are an incredibly popular companion dog due to their sweet and playful nature. They are more robust than some of the other small dogs on our list, but still snuggly enough to curl up on your lap.

The Shih Tzu is very human-orientated but with the right training will be happy to be left alone for a few hours at a time. This little dog will require regular trips to the groomer however to keep their fluffy coat in order.

Another compact dog that enjoys human company is the Bichon Fraise. This breed would prefer to be around you, so would suit a remote worker well. Its attractive snowy white coat is curly and dense so does require a bit of maintenance to prevent matting.

Regular trips to the groomers can help you to keep it in check. This breed is well known for being low-shedders however, so at least there will be fewer loose hairs around your home!

Another large dog this time, the Golden Retriever is well known for its friendly and laid-back nature. This breed is even-tempered and relatively easy to train which makes them model companions for remote workers.

They will need to get out for a decent walk at lunchtime, but they are not as high-energy as many other working breeds. Blowing the cobwebs away with some exercise in the middle of the day should mean you have a more productive afternoon!

Perhaps the ultimate lap dog, the tiny Chihuahua does not take up much space at all! This confident pocket-sized pooch will feel very at home with a remote worker. They were bred specifically for companionship, so they enjoy spending time with their owners.

The main problem is that they can be quite vocal despite their small size. This means barking at the postman, passing cyclists, cats… They must have appropriate socialisation from a young age to reduce this tendency.

Yorkshire terriers (‘Yorkies’) are loyal and affectionate little dogs, who love to spend time at home with their owners. They have less exercise needs than larger breeds so would be happy with a couple of 20–30-minute walks, which might fit in well with a busy work schedule.

Their silky coat does require a bit of maintenance to prevent it from getting tangled. Like many breeds, Yorkies are prone to bad teeth, so oral care is extremely important for these dogs.

Another small dog with an intelligent and affectionate nature. The Maltese learns quickly so training should be straightforward, plus you can teach your dog a few new tricks during your break times!

Their gorgeous white coat shouldn’t be too hard to care for, but it will need regular brushing and trimming. This compact dog is versatile and will be happy in an apartment or a larger home if they have regular walks.

Pomeranians are known for their gorgeous fluffy teddy bear appearance. Their coat will require regular brushing to keep it in check, however. These little dogs are very bright, sociable and enjoy playtime which can be a great stress reliever during your working day.

As with most small dogs, they have the potential to be yappy but with the right training and mental stimulation, this risk can be greatly reduced. Your Pomeranian will enjoy walk times as much as lap snuggles.

French bulldogs are happy-go-lucky dogs, who enjoy human company. Their playful nature makes them great fun to be around. They do have a bit of a stubborn streak when it comes to training but most of them are highly food motivated which can help.

Your French Bulldog has moderate exercise needs, so will need to go out for around 20-30 minutes a couple of times a day which is a nice amount of time for you to be away from your desk. Sadly, French Bulldogs are prone to a variety of health issues so pet insurance is a must.

Perhaps you’re surprised to see this one on our list as the greyhound is best known for zooming around the racetrack! But when they aren’t doing that, you’ll find them asleep on your sofa for hours on end. This dog is surprisingly calm in the house as it is bred for very short bursts of intense activity.

It can be a great choice for remote workers who would like a larger breed of dog. Their short coat requires little grooming, and they have docile, affectionate natures. Their long legs will take up a bit of space though so they may not be great for apartment dwellers.

A compact dog with a big personality, the Boston Terrier just loves human company. They enjoy playtime and they are extremely friendly. This attractive dog also has a short, easy-to-care-for coat and is generally low maintenance.

Boston Terriers will settle well in the house, provided they’ve had a walk and some play. Their small size means that they can fit in well to most remote working environments.

The opposite end of the spectrum to the Chihuahua, the Great Dane can make a good choice for some remote workers. Despite their giant size, this dog only has moderate exercise needs. 30-60 minutes of walking per day should be enough for most adult Great Danes. They are otherwise very relaxed dogs and will be happy laying by your side.

Healthwise Great Danes don’t have very long life spans, and they are prone to heart conditions including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), so owners need to be prepared for this. They also drool a lot, so you may want to keep your pet in another room while doing your video meetings!

With their droopy ears and doleful expressions, Bassett Hounds capture the hearts of many pet owners. They are not natural athletes so they will be quite content resting at home while you work. They only require moderate amounts of exercise, so a couple of short walks a day should be fine.

One thing that surprises many pet owners is just how big their Bassett Hound’s bark is! Early socialisation and appropriate training will help to keep this under control. As with many short-legged breeds, the Bassett Hound is prone to spinal issues so potential owners need to be aware of this.

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