Best Off-Leash Dogs For You - How The Tail Wags

Dogs that will stay by your side

Looking for a “Velcro” dog that won’t stray from your side? Do you want a dog that won’t run away when off the leash? Then you will want to consider this shortlist of Best Off Leash Dogs.

Best Off Leash Dogs that stay close to their owner (In alphabetical order)

Belgian Sheepdog
Border Collie
Labrador Retriever
Old English Sheepdog
Papillon
Vizsla

Best Trainable Off Leash Dogs for You

If trained early, these dogs will happily stay by your side.

Australian Shepherd
Brittany Spaniel
Dachshund
Dalmatian
Doberman Pincher
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Irish Terrier
Poodle
Puli
Other Spaniels (Cocker, English Springer, Cavalier King Charles, etc.)

Best Off-Leash Dogs for You: Factors to Consider

The following factors were considered when selecting the Best Off Leash Dogs shortlist above as well as the Trainable Off Leash Dogs list. Some breeds were designed to be close to their humans while others are afraid to stray. Some breeds are more interested in their humans than in the exciting world around them and others want to stand guard to protect their humans from surrounding threats.

Nature of the breed – dogs that are bred to serve humans are often more likely to stick close to their owners and be the best off leash dogs.
- Companions – Papillons, Dachshunds, Spaniels, Poodles, French Bulldogs etc.
- Guard Dogs – Doberman Pinchers and Shepherds
- Herding Dogs – Collies, Shepherds, Sheepdogs, Cattle dogs.
- Working/Hunting Dogs – Retrievers, Pointers, Setters, Spaniels, Vizsla
Separation anxiety – dogs that are uncomfortable with being away from their pack are more likely to be “Velcro” dogs that will not run away. These off leash dogs include the Vizsla, Papillon, and Old English Sheepdog.
Low prey drive – Best off leash dogs have low prey drive. Thismeans that they do not have much interest in chasing or catching other creatures but rather are more interested in their owners and being with their pack. Although some hunting dogs are very obedient and want to please their owners, their high prey drive lends to an unpredictable readiness to run after other creatures. French bulldogs are very well known for their low prey drive.
Low wanderlust potential – Just like humans, if a dog is too interested in the exciting world around them, they wander away from those in front of them. The Papillon and Old English Sheepdog are among the dogs with a low wanderlust potential.

Personality Factor

It is especially important to recognize that each dog has its own personality and may not conform to the characteristic profile of their breed. It is best to use a leash and consider training before testing your dog’s response to being off the leash.

Training Your Best Off Leash Dog

If you want to ensure that your dog will not run away or try to escape every chance they get, then not only will you want to consider the factors above, you will want to train your dog.

Early training is key to helping ensure your dog can walk off leash or stay in your yard.

Consider the online YouTube training video: “How to Train Your Dog to be Off Leash without a Shock Collar”

The renowned Zak George from Dog Training Revolution https://www.dogtrainingrevolution.com/ provides online training videos on YouTube. Consider subscribing to his YouTube channel and viewing other helpful training videos as well.

Do You Need a Leash for your Off-Leash Dog?

Absolutely! There are multiple reasons that the Best Off Leash Dogs still need a leash. You will definitely want to fence your yard or outside enclosure as well as use a leash when out and about with your dog. Some of the reasons that you should use a leash include that it:

Reassures Others: Putting your dog on a leash helps other people around you feel more secure. Not everyone feels safe around dogs or trusts your dog. Dogs often pick up on stress and tension of those around them and, ironically, approach those that are fearful of them. Using a leash is sometimes just the polite thing to do.
Prevents Erratic Behavior: Just in case your dog acts out of character (due to senility, being provoked, loses sight of you, etc.), using a leash or a fence will help prevent unwanted issues and behaviors.
Protects Your Dog: A fence can deter any unsavory character who is looking to steal or harm your dog. Not only does this include other dogs that are aggressively looking to attack, but includes foolish people who are willing to steal. It is rare, but it happens. Your dog may not need a fence to guide them, but people who lack integrity do.
Serves as Birth Control: Avoid an unplanned pregnancy by socially distancing your dog from other attractive pups. Both a leash and a fence can help in this department.
Complies with the Law: Leashing laws vary depending on where you are with your dog. Some leashing laws are not as simple as “required” vs. “not required”. Check out this resource to look up leashing laws near you: https://www.edgarsnyder.com/dog-bite/leash-laws/

Which Leash?

The Max and Neo Double Handle Traffic Dog Leash is one of our favorites. They donate a leash to a dog rescue for every leash they sell.

Attach the leash to a harness instead of a collar to prevent straining your dog’s neck and spine. Our favorite harness for dogs of most sizes is the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness.

For small dogs and puppies, consider the Puppia Soft Dog Harness.

Don’t forget to clean up after your dog with Earth Rated Poop Bags and Leash Dispenser Bundle.

Conclusion

The best off-leash dogs are the Belgian Sheepdog, Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, Old English Sheepdog, Papillon, and the Vizsla. However, there are a lot of other breeds that innately want to be near their owners. Never forget that individual personality and off-leash training are factors that also determine whether your dog will stay by your side or not. Early and consistent training are very important determinants of off-leash behaviors in dogs.

Let’s not forget that there are many benefits to keeping your dog on a leash and using a fence or enclosure. This includes protecting you and your dog.