11 Dog Breeds That Don’t Run Away

Dogs are entertaining pets that can bring you joy, but sometimes, they can also make you work. As a species, dogs love to run, jump, and play more than any other domesticated animal, it is in their nature after all.

For potential pet owners who may be looking for a dog that won’t run away, there are a few breeds that you should consider that make great companions.

There are several loyal dog breeds that won’t leave the yard, or run off if you take them off the leash while you are out for a walk.

Keep reading to find out the best dogs that don't run away.

The temperament of the Belgian Malinois, also known as a Belgian Shepherd dog is as willful as it is playful.

This breed is very easy to train and thrives on being an obedient pet.

Noted for their intelligence, this breed is able to detect subtle changes in facial expressions which helps them to be more responsive overall. 

A confident owner will be able to train this world-class worker to follow commands without hesitation, however, actually getting them to trust your direction can be difficult in the begging. They are very loyal and sensitive dogs. 

They do not require harsh punishment and do not respond well to confinements.

As a pet, they seldom run away from home. They do love to chase, so may run after joggers if left off the leash during walks.

Boxer dogs are very smart, alert, and friendly. They do not have much fear and they are highly loyal which makes them great home guard dogs.

They are stubborn as a breed and do not respond well to harsh training methods.

When it comes to diet - you can choose between feeding a raw diet, homecook, or feed your boxer a commercial diet. 

Boxers are a bit tough to train, but they are great companion pets with an abundance of energy. Positive attention is critical during their training to make them feel confident in their place and less prone to wandering.

Boxer dogs are not likely to run away from a loving home and will remain in the general vicinity of their owner when taken off the leash.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an attractive looking dog that has a sweet temperament to match.

This affectionate breed of dog is gentle and tries hard to please their owner which makes them very easy to train.

They are also very intelligent and have a lot of agility. Mostly obedient, this small dog breed is not likely to run away from home or run when let off of the leash. 

It is important to train Cavie as a puppy to heel to ensure they remain obedient as adults.

Cocker Spaniels have a very friendly and adaptable temperament. They are great for households with small kids, no kids, elderly people, and even other animals.

The breed was originally created as gundogs and their high intelligence has always aided them in their professions.

Their loyalty is unmatched, and they are always eager to please which also makes them easy to train. If they are not introduced to people and social situations as puppies, it will be easy for them to become stubborn.

Due to their loyal nature, they are not prone to wandering off when unleashed or escaping away from home. They do love the outdoors but prefer to stay close to home.

Still haven't found the perfect small breed that is loyal and protective and won't run off?  

French Bulldogs have a vibrant personality and love people. They are very good companion pets and have great manners once trained. Their stature and general nature make them well-grounded and not prone to running away. They are able to go off-leash if trained at an early age.

Frenchies are stubborn by nature but have a gentle temperament that makes them easy to train. It is important to be firm with training a French Bulldog, but also patient.

This breed is a bit messy with its tendency to drool, excessive shedding, and of course, flatulence.

Potential owners should be aware of one area of concern in Frenchies. Stenotic nares are considered a risk factor for brachycephalic dog, particularly in French bulldogs. 

Though they tend to stick close to home and won't often run away, long hours alone may trigger their need to search and find their owner.

Looking for the best guard dog that doesn't won't run away?

The German Shepherd is a very smart dog that belongs to the working dog class. First time owners should know that with proper training, they are able to complete any task and are very eager to please. 

This is one of the most commonly seen breeds in law enforcement thanks to their loyalty, easy trainability, and general obedience.

It is important to have them trained and socialized while they are puppies, only with positive-reinforcement training.

They are very active and need plenty of space to run and play. Those that get ample exercise will stay at home happily.

Due to their shepherding nature, GSD's trained as puppies can go off-leash without owners fearing that they will run off on their own. 

Golden Retrievers are among the most-friendly breeds of dogs a family can choose from. They have a very low level of aggression and are easy to train. 

Most families who have small children prefer this breed due to their loyalty and high obedience-command ranking. They are very active and enjoy playing both inside and outside.

Due to their loyalty, they are not prone to running away from home and will stay by their owner's side when taken off the leash.

If you're looking for the best breed for off-leash hiking, look no further!

Labrador retrievers have a positive and gentle temperament. They are kind dogs that are FULL OF ENERGY yet are fiercely loyal. This breed is very easy to train and is always eager to please their owners.

Because they prefer to remain as companion pets and follow their owners, it is rare that a lab will escape. 

Coat color for this breed can be white, chocolate brown or black and have brown or hazel eyes.

They do love to run and play so unless they are trained early, removing their leash during a walk will result in more of an owner chasing pet playtime situations.

When it has been trained, a lab is a perfect pet to have as a jogging partner off the leash.

Maltese dogs are very easy to train thanks to their natural desire to make their owners happy. They love affection and respond to positive training methods and encouragement over harsh ridged training.

Though this small breed is naturally independent, praise and rewards make them amiable. They are very smart and responsive which makes them a very good pet for families.

They have a high level of energy and are usually very alert which allows them to double as a guard dog.

They are dependent upon their owners not only for their care but also for their affection. As a result, it is rare that this breed will run away from home.

Old English Sheepdogs are very independent and have a gentle temperament. They are okay being on their own, but when trained well shown that the leader is the pet owner, they will remain loyal and obedient.

This hard-working dog is territorial and will protect its space and its owner.

It is not prone to running away from home or when allowed to roam off the leash during walks.

If you are looking for a loyal dog that won’t run away, the Vizsla is a great choice. This breed has a stubborn streak, but they are very smart and easy to train. They have a natural desire to please their owner which is one of the reasons training them is easy, even with their independent nature.

Since the Vizsla is such an active dog, it's important to make sure you are giving it enough nutrients in their every diet. Opt for a raw diet, homemade food or meat-first kibble to feed your Vizsla.

They are very sensitive to rebuke, so be firm but gentle for a pet that offers you lifelong loyalty. Vizsla has an abundance of energy so you will need to give them plenty of time outdoors to run and play.

They will stay with you even when taken off the leash but even if they do wander during their play, they will return within a few minutes.