9 Dog Breeds That Run Away and Reasons Why They Do It

There are few feelings worse than not being able to find your dog. This feeling is significantly worse when you find out that your dog ran away on its own. If your dog comes back, you’ll be over the top happy. Still, its important to find out why your pet decided to do that. That might help you to avoid similar situations in the future. 

There are some dog breeds that run away, and they do this as they are naturally adventurous. Some of the breeds that do this a lot are well known, and this information is all thanks to data from manufacturers of GPS dog tracking devices.

So, we will answer the question, why do dogs run away, and tell you the breeds most likely to do that.

Do you have a specific question about the dog breeds that run away? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page. 

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is a breed that was created to herd and protect sheep. It is also considered to be one of the most intelligent breeds ever.

Australian Shepherds, on the other hand, need stimulation because they are easily bored. If they are bored, they will seek out something interesting to do, and sometimes that is running away. Shepherd breeds can escape an average of 0.9 times per month.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Let’s face it: Staffies are obstinate. To keep them satisfied, they need strict leadership and plenty of exercises. This particular terrier could easily climb a six-foot fence if not closely watched by their keepers.

It is simple for them to be enticed by something on the other side of the wall. These muscular powerhouses also have large paws that are useful for digging underneath the wall instead. This is one of the most common dog breeds that run away, and it takes a strong person to handle it.

Bloodhound

The Bloodhound is well-known for its keen sense of smell, which, according to reports, often tempts them away from their homes.

They like to run away from home 1.5 times a month on average, putting them very high among dog breeds that roam and run.

Great Pyrenees 

The Great Pyrenees is a big working dog with a lot of self-assurance and no fear. They make excellent guard dogs as well. However, sitting around and protecting can become tedious after a while, and they begin to yearn for adventure.

Aside from their excellent physical and defensive attributes, owners can also rely on their talent for fleeing more than 1.2 times per month. If you’re looking for dogs that don’t run away, this definitely is not the one.

Great Dane

Great Danes are a social breed, but they, like humans, still seek solitude. This dog enjoys spending time alone. They usually hop over fences to go on their own discovery expeditions.

They have been observed escaping up to 14.4 times a year.

Dachshunds

Although they are small, these sausage pups were initially bred to hunt badgers into underground caves. Dachshunds are highly conscious of their surroundings, are excellent at digging, and can travel quickly to capture small animals and birds.

Dachshund puppies are tenacious, stubborn, and faithful to their parents. Suppose you don’t see a dachshund running off to catch a bird. In that case, the cunning wiener dog is presumably looking for his owner because he suffers from separation anxiety.

Standard Poodle

Poodles tend to have an inherent ability to explore. Even if they have been adequately educated, they will sometimes wander off on their own. According to surveys, they are likely to leave an average of 10.8 times a year. This is one of those dog breeds that run away a lot.

Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are unquestionably the best family dogs. This is due to their immense patience and affection. A Golden Retriever will remain loyal to his owner during good and bad times.

Retrievers were bred for recreational purposes to accompany hunters. They take a lot of exercises to stay satisfied.

According to Fido Finder, the Golden Retriever ranks 13th out of 15 dog breeds in risk of being lost.

Saint Bernard

When you think of a Saint Bernard, you picture a massive, stumbling beast with wooden booze barrels hanging around its neck, trotting through the Swiss Alps to save misbehaving skiers.

A Saint Bernard, it seems, would often require regular exercise, and they are infamous for doing the unimaginable, such as running away while untethered. If you own a Saint Bernard, brace yourself because he will most likely escape 14.4 times per year. 

Dog breeds that flee are not necessarily bad dogs. They are simply dogs with inattentive owners or owners who have not done enough research on dog breeds.

Why are dogs running away?

The most obvious explanation is that your dog is bored. They’re left alone in the yard with nothing to do, and it’s not difficult for them to get out. As a result, they go for a stroll around the city. They might even be searching for a partner or planning a hunt. And they can be frightened at times. Even the most well-behaved dogs can attempt to flee if they are too terrified. This is particularly popular during summer thunderstorms or fireworks displays.

How do you prevent your dog from running away?

The key technique for stopping your dog from escaping is simple:

  1. Make it more difficult for him to flee.
  2. Never leave your dog unattended outside.
  3. Build a fence if you don’t already have one. If you have a fence, raise it, or install coyote rollers.

These slick rollers prevent your dog from jumping your fence and are extremely useful! Avoid using underground barriers because they leave your dog exposed to dog-nappers and do not prevent motivated dogs from escaping. Both underground fencing and electronic collars can burn your dog and have also been connected to increased violence along property lines.

However, it is also important to fix the underlying issue. Yes, a stable fence and close surveillance would help. However, if your dog is genuinely bored, afraid, or driven to flee, he can find a way out.

If your dog continues to wander, it might be time to seek the assistance of a trainer. A trainer will assist you in developing a training plan that will keep your dog safe and prevent you from having to return to the pound to retrieve your escapee.

Credits: thanks for the cover photo to Canva.

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