12 Dog Breeds That Don’t Need a Fence

Dogs are generally creatures of the outdoors. They enjoy the freedom to roam wherever they want.

The problem with that is that it puts them in danger. The number of dogs hit while crossing the road is quite alarming.

 In most cases, these canines leave the safety of the home to explore what lies beyond.

While some dog breeds are known for being escape artists, others do perfectly without a fence.

To help you establish whether or not you need to invest in a fence when welcoming a new dog into your home, we will highlight for you top dog breeds that don’t need a fence.

But why are some dogs more likely to escape than others? Well, a lot of factors come into play, including:

• High Prey Drive: Dogs with high prey drive tend to get distracted by sights and smells of squirrels, rabbits, and cats, which make likely to wonder or take off anytime without hesitation.

• Separation Anxiety: Dogs that are prone to separation anxiety may escape when they feel lonely, particularly if they are left home for long periods.

• Sex Drive: Intact males tend to have a strong drive to seek out females and will try to escape when the motivation to mate is high.

• Phobias: Some dogs fear loud noises like firecrackers and thunderstorm and may escape when they hear such sounds.

• High Energy: Dogs that are known to have considerably high energy are less likely to stay put than their low energy or laid-back counterparts.

• Territorial wars: A dog may also escape if he feels the need to mark or remark his territory.

Top 12 Dog Breeds That Don’t Need a Fence

Without further ado, here is a quick list of the top 12 dog breeds that tends to stay close to their owners—and don’t need a fenced yard.

1. Bulldog

Both the French and English bulldogs are famous for their calm and laid-back dispositions.

They don’t mind lounging on the sofa or snoozing in the yard for hours on end. As a result, they drool, fart, and shed heavily.

On the opposite side, they have a gentle temperament that makes them easy to train.

Bulldogs also tend to stick around the home with no problem. The only time they will leave is when they have been left alone too long and wander to look for their owner.

2. Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels are also some of the best dog breeds for homes with no yards.

 The Cocker Spaniel particularly comes with an adaptable and friendly temperament. Whether you have kids, senior citizens, or other pets, she will get along with them.

Trained to be gundogs, cocker spaniels are very intelligent. Training them to stay put is relatively easy.

Their loyalty is also unmatched. It is this very character trait that makes them content staying in the yard.

They do not find any reason to wander off at home or during walks.

These canines do love the outdoors but they prefer staying close to home.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Another member of the spaniel family, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also among the dog breeds that will stay in the yard.

Intelligence is one of the best traits of the breed.

Teaching her new commands and tricks is fast. Plus, she is obedient and not likely to leave the safety of the home.

Cavies are also beautiful, agile, and easy to train. They strive to please you thereby remaining close home at all times.

4. Maltese

Fearless and gentle, the Maltese treats everyone as a friend. People mean so much to her no wonder she excels as a therapy dog.

The breed can put a smile on your face when everything around you is plummeting.

Her glamorous white coat and personality work in tandem to make her a great companion.

Maltese crave and love human company so much that they are less likely to leave the yard.

If they do (which is rare), they will not go too far before missing you after which they will come back home.

The breed is also smart and responsive, which means you can command your doggie to return if she leaves the yard.

5. Golden Retriever

If you live in a farmhouse or an urban residence with no fence, here’s another breed to consider having.

The Golden retriever is your delightful family dog. She is gentle, amazing with kids, and rarely starts trouble around the home.

Playing fetch with her brings out the breed’s character to please her owners.

The Goldie is also incredibly intelligent, easy to train, obedient, and social with all (kids and pets), loyal, and has a low tendency to bark.

That’s not all. Thanks to their loyalty, Goldies love staying closer to their owners.

During walks, you can take her off-leash and she is less likely to make a run for it, especially if she’s properly trained.

6. Labrador Retriever

Just like the Golden retriever, the Labrador retriever is a popular dog breed in the United States. She has ranked number one for decades in a row.

For one, labs are super friendly. If you are looking for a dog you can play with, one that will get along with everybody, go on runs around the block with you, and fill your heart with so much joy, go for a Labrador retriever.

Unlike golden retrievers that require a lot of grooming, labs are quite low-maintenance.

The breed is also one of the smartest. When you want her to remain within the yard boundary, she will do just that.

That coupled with her tendency to want to please you makes her easy to contain at home.

However, please note that despite being obedient, labs are full of energy. Don’t take her off-leash during walks without proper training.

7. Vizsla

The AKC describes the Vizsla as a gentle, energetic, and affectionate dog.

As the ultimate people-oriented dog, she is always hanging out near the home.

Vizslas form tight bonds with their owners earning them the name ‘velcro dogs’.

They love accompanying you during jogging and running activities. It is for this very reason that they can exist in a home without a fence.

Plus, they have a low prey drive and find no fun in chasing birds, cats, and moving objects.

The bonus of owning a Viszla is that she is good with kids, thrives well during training, and takes direction without a problem.

8. Old English Sheepdog

This massive 80-pound canine is another great dog for homes without a fence.

Although she is a herding breed, don’t count on her to not run around herding cows.

Her strategy is more like lying around watching the livestock from a distance. These dogs only lift their heavy bodies when the cattle or sheep are truly in danger.

At home, the Old English sheepdog will be happy to just laze around in the yard checking everything out.

With a very low prey drive, she will not be fuzzed by birds and butterflies flying around or cars moving down the street.

9. Border Collie

As one of the smartest dog breeds known to man, the Border collie is quick to pick up new commands.

It is the reason the breed excels in canine activities such as obedience, herding, and agility. This fact alone makes it easy to train the dog to not leave the yard.

Border collies may have the habit of chasing down cars but with the right training, you can tame the habit completely.

The trick is to offer enough physical and mental stimulation to avoid aimless wandering.

10. Pug

The pug is like the bulldog in more ways than one. They are both brachycephalic dogs meaning their heads are short, faces squished, and snouts shortened.

Secondly, both breeds have a low tendency to run away. Pugs would rather curl up on the sofa than walk down the street to explore the world beyond.

These dogs are also small and thus fit almost anywhere including tiny apartments.

Finally, they are good with kids, smart, and require minimal activity from their owners.

11. Boxer

From playfulness to a high sociability score to intelligence and energy, there are plenty of reasons to own a boxer. The breed gets along with kids perfectly.

 With a strong instinct to protect the home, she makes a wonderful guard dog.

Unlike most dogs with a high prey drive, boxers don’t fancy chasing things around. They would rather wrestle with another dog or you than chase cats and rabbits across the stress.

Once in a while, they will wander but only when bored or anxious.

Else, with proper training boxers will remain in the yard for as long as you want them to.

12. German shepherd

German shepherd dogs (GSD) may appear to be too active and curious to live in a home with no fence but they can stay put if trained well.

See, this breed is one of the smartest in the world. She makes an excellent working dog that carries out off-leash tasks.

A GSD is also easy to train, loyal, and incredibly obedient. If she’s trained and ordered to stay in the yard, she will not leave.

Of course, the yard needs to be big enough to allow this active breed to run around to her liking. That way, she can remain where you want her to.

Closing Thoughts

Most dogs are better placed in homes with fences. However, if you don’t have such a property, don’t shy off from owning a dog.

Just get a dog that knows how to remain in the yard.

This list gives you 12 options to choose from.