Fido doesn’t pull on the leash.
And they come when called.
So you start to think…
“Maybe we can try going off the leash…just one time.”
But not all dogs do well off-leash.
Wanna find out if your pooch is one of them?
Before you let go of Fido…
Keep reading to find out:
- 17 worst dog breeds to put off-leash.
- Why these dogs are the worst when off-leash.
- And so many more…
Table of contents
17 worst dog breeds off leash
#1: Chow Chow
Is it a dog or a lion?
That’s most of people’s initial thought when they see a Chow chow.
Other than that, they also look like majestic cats. Sometimes, their personalities can even be cat-like.
As AKC says, they’re aloof and independent.
And they’re also less eager to please people than other breeds.
However, they can still create strong bonds with their favorite people.
But they do it on their own terms.
Aside from that, Chow Chows are famously stubborn.
So they can be pretty hard to control.
And when something catches their attention outside, they’ll bolt for it.
That’s especially so without a leash.
And trust me, chasing them down will take every ounce of your energy.
#2: Beagle
A nickname for Beagles is “a nose on four legs.”
That’s because of their strong sense of smell.
In fact, they’re among the top 3 breeds with the best sense of smell in dogdom.
And once they pick up a scent, it stays with them for days.
This makes them great trackers.
However, it makes them so terrible off-leash.
Why?
When Beagles catch a whiff of something during walks, they won’t let go of it.
And very little will be able to distract them.
So better keep the leash on for your Beagle friend.
Read more: 13 Dogs With the Worst Sense of Smell
#3: Siberian Husky
Huskies are eye candy.
And they have a happy-go-lucky personality.
Given that, it’s so easy to fall for them.
However, they’re not the best pups to be off-leash.
Why is that?
They’re masters of the Houdini act.
They can disappear from your sight in seconds if given a chance.
And they’ll take the chance, alright.
Part of this is because of their high prey drive.
Once they spot a moving car, a cat, or another pup, they can go bonkers.
Moreover, they can also be quite stubborn. That’s why they might not listen to you.
Now, given their history pulling sleds, they can outrun and outlast you easily. So better keep that leash if you don’t wanna go after a speedy and energetic Husky.
You might also want to know: Do Huskies Need A Lot Of Attention? 11 Facts You Must Know
#4: Greyhound
These pups are built for speed.
In fact, they’re the fastest dogs in the world.
And they can run up to 45 mph (72 km/h).
Fun fact: When Greyhounds run, their feet are only touching the ground 25% of the time.
Take a look at how fast Greyhounds can run compared to a Cheetah:
That’s why I don’t recommend you let your Greyhound go off-leash.
More than their speed, they also have a high prey drive.
And sometimes, it can see small dogs or small creatures as prey. Such can pose a threat to both dogs.
#5: Pitbull
Pitbulls have gained a bad reputation.
Some countries like Brazil and France have even banned the pups.
But Pitbulls can be adorable wiggly softies with the right training.
However, you might reconsider taking them off leash.
Why?
For one, they’ll run away from you.
That’s if they don’t have proper recall training.
Second, they might get overstimulated by other dogs or creatures.
When that happens, your Pittie can get in trouble.
And your simple visit to the dog park can turn into a stressful day.
Continue reading: Top 25 Most Affectionate Dog Breeds That Love To Cuddle
#6: Rottweiler
They look mean. But Rotties are big goofs.
They’ll act like a lap dog even though they’re large.
But don’t let their goofiness fool you.
These pups have a terrifying bite force.
And it can make you rethink putting them off-leash.
That’s especially because of how overprotective they can get.
Don’t get me wrong.
They’re amazing guard dogs.
But when their loved one is threatened, they become an all-out protection machine.
And they’ll fight people, dogs, and other animals.
That doesn’t mean putting them off-leash is impossible, though.
They’ll just need tons of training. Plus, they’ll also need early and constant socialization.
#7: Weimaraner
Are you up for running like your life depends on it?
If not, then going off-leash with your Weim might not be wise.
You see, these pups live for speed.
And according to Dogopedia, they can run up to 35 mph (56 km/h).
Additionally, these dogs love to chase anything that moves.
That includes cats, cars, and joggers.
And sadly for your pooch, these passersby might not appreciate getting chased.
Even on leash, their prey drive can be overwhelming.
And they can make your arms sore from all the pulling.
That’s why leash training is important for them.
It’ll make your walks easier and more enjoyable.
#8: Alaskan Malamute
What do you get with Alaskan Malamutes?
A big ball of fur that loves to explore, that’s what.
These pups are independent in that way.
In addition to that, they’re also intelligent.
But this often leads to them creating escape plans.
And one of their favorite routes is digging a hole under your fence.
With that, walking them off-leash can be another escape route for them.
Also, Malamutes love chasing things.
They’ll pursue anything they find interesting.
And they might not be the fastest dog out there…
But they can be pretty hard to catch if they want to.
#9: Akita
The Akita is a noble breed.
And they’ve been used to guard royalty.
You might have even seen old pictures of them.
And in those pictures, they can be off-leash.
But that doesn’t mean you should follow suit today.
Why is that?
See, Akitas are stubborn and willful. They won’t back down from any challenge.
This makes them great guard dogs. But it also makes them harder to control.
That is especially true around other dogs.
Moreover, Akitas can be unfriendly towards dogs of the same sex.
Additionally, they also have strong hunting instincts.
Fun fact: They hunted creatures as big as boars and black bears.
So, if they go off-leash, it might get hard to keep them by your side.
#10: Basenji
Basenjis are an old breed.
Some even say that the Egyptian god Anubis was based on them.
And to some degree, they can act a little like how we think a god would.
How so?
Well, Basenjis can be aloof. And they’re also highly independent.
So they might not follow your lead when they’re off-leash.
Another concern with that is they don’t bark.
Instead, they make a yodeling sound. But they don’t do that often too.
That’s why hunters that used them as hunting dogs tied bells around their necks.
So when your Basenji disappears from your sight, it can be challenging to track them.
#11: Coonhound
Coonhounds are amazing hunters.
But not so as off-leash walk buddies.
That is especially so in trails or woody areas.
This is mostly because of their hunting instinct.
Once they pick up a trail of a fox or raccoon, nothing else matters.
Some pet parents have even testified that their Coonhounds can play deaf to them when called. And it often happens when they pick up a scent. That’s despite being well-trained.
Fortunately, you’ll be able to find them by their loud barks.
Regardless, it’s still a challenge to do so. With that, it’s best to keep them leashed.
#12: American Foxhound
American Foxhounds have voices like angels.
And by that, I mean they bay and howl like no tomorrow. And their ‘music’ can carry on for miles.
But that’s not the only thing they can do all day long.
They can also hunt for hours on end.
And sadly, they won’t change their ways just because you want them to.
That’s why it can be difficult to have them off-leash.
When they catch a scent, they’ll be off. Not even bidding you goodbye.
And your calls might just become background noise to them.
#13: Bedlington Terrier
Vermin hunter?
A poacher’s sidekick?
Those are what Bedlingtons were born for.
They might look like they belong in fancy dog shows.
But they won’t mind getting dirty.
That’s especially so when they’re chasing something.
So they have a high tendency to run off when they’re not on the leash.
If that happens, I hope you have lots of treats with you. If not, it would be 100% challenging for you to call them back.
#14: Borzoi
In Russian, “Borzoi” means swift.
And these pups are just that and more.
In addition to being fast, they were talented hunters.
And they were particularly good at hunting wolves.
That’s why Russian nobles prized them in the past.
In hunts, they would often release hundreds of Borzois to capture wolves.
And while times have changed, the dogs’ instincts haven’t.
That’s why it’s better to keep them on leash.
Or else they’ll be running after anything that moves.
#15: Toy Fox Terrier
They might be small. But they were once the star of the circuses.
They walked tightropes. And they performed amazing jumping tricks.
However, today, the little pup is mostly a lap dog.
And they always demand to be included in everything humans do.
But, the Terrier instinct is still there.
And that might lead them to chase small animals.
It can also cause them to explore farther than they’re allowed to.
So I recommend taking them off-leash in a secure area.
#16: Shar Pei
Shar Peis can look nice and shy.
And that might be because of all their wrinkles.
But these pups are great guardians.
And they won’t be afraid to protect their loved ones in any way they can.
They also have a history of being used as fighting dogs.
With that, it’s important to teach this pup not to overreact to others they don’t know.
It’s also important you keep a tight grip on their leash.
#17: Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesians look like your average dog.
But don’t think they’re not special.
These pups actually helped hunt down lions in Africa.
And while they might not find lions where you are, a cat or squirrel is good enough for them.
So when they’re off-leash, they’ll just take off.
But they can be trained.
However, you have to start training early. And you have to be consistent.