Which dog breeds are most likely to run away?

Every year, thousands of dog owners experience a runaway dog. It’s no surprise that some dogs are more adventurous than others. Some are very loyal and stick to you like glue, and others insist on taking themselves for a walk whenever they get the chance. But the question is, which dog breeds are most likely to run away?

8 dog breeds most likely to run away

1. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd owners typically lose this breed about 0.9 times a month.

2. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever owners typically lose their dog about 2.13 times a month.

3. Treeing Walker Coonhound

Treeing Walker Coonhound owners typically lose this dog breed about 0.9 times a month.

4. Jack Russell

Jack Russel owners typically lose their dog about 1.2 times a month.

5. German Shepherd

German Shepherd owners lose this breed about 1.5 times a month.

6. Spaniel Breeds (Cocker Spaniels, English Spring Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles)

Spaniel owners lose this breed about 0.9 times a month.

7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners lose this breed about 1.2 times a month.

8. Border Collie

Border Collie owners lose this breed about 1.2 times a month.

Why do they run away?

There can be many explanations to this behaviour. If your dog gets scared by a noise, he or she will probably run off as far away as possible (through an open door, or out of the garden). A dog who isn’t stimulated with sufficient activity, who is neglected by its owners, or left alone for long periods of time, may also run away to find distractions and/or new playmates. It could also be that your dog has never learnt what is forbidden (going out of the house or out of the garden). In this case, your dog will probably feel the need to elope at any occasion. But no matter what the reason is, or which kind of breed you have, if you have an escape artist in your family, you might want to consider investing in a GPS tracker.

NOTE: The list of runaway dogs is much longer and this is just a small part of the best escape artists.