The 15 Dog Breeds Most Likely to Run Away

Australian shepherds were bred to guard and herd sheep, and are generally one of the smartest dog breeds you can own. However, they can become bored easily if not engaged, which will result in the dog making a run for it at the first opportunity. According to Whistle, which manufactures GPS trackers for pets, Australian Shepherds are the 15th most likely breed to run away, with owners losing this breed an average of .09 times per month.

For this bred-to-hunt dog, running away to follow a scent is second nature, and chasing the dog will only make it run faster. Owners of this breed can expect to lose it 0.9 times each month.

Owners of Bernese Mountain Dogs will typically lose their pets an average of 0.9 times per month, with an open door proving a temptation that's tough for that breed to resist.

Standard Poodles are one of those breeds that seem to have an instinctual wanderlust, and no matter how well they've been trained will occasionally wander off on their own. In fact, this breed has been known to run away an average of 0.9 times each month, according to Whistle.

An American Bulldog will likely lull you into a false sense of security by trotting dutifully alongside you when taken off leash — and then suddenly bolt with no warning. Owners of American Bulldogs typically see their dogs take off about 0.9 times per month, making them one of the more expensive dog breeds to own.

Great Danes are a social breed, but have also been known to enjoy some "alone time" by jumping over fences to go exploring on their own. Owners of this breed will typically lose a Great Dane 1.2 times per month.  

We tend to think of Saint Bernards as large, lumbering beasts with wooden barrels of booze hung from their necks, plodding through the Swiss Alps to rescue wayward skiers. The truth is that Saint Bernards also require regular exercise, and have been known to test boundaries – which includes running away when off leash and not responding when they're being called. This is likely why the owner of a Saint Bernard should expect the dog to run away an average of 1.2 times each month.

One of the oldest European dog breeds, Belgian Malinois were bred for herding, and are smart, agile and fast. So fast, in fact, that owners of this breed will watch their pets zoom away from them an average of 1.2 times per month.  

Bred for hunting, the Black and Tan Coonhound is inclined to take off after any scent it finds intriguing, so owners of this breed let it go off leash at their peril, as this breed is reported to run away an average of 1.2 times per month.

Pit Bulls are one of the most popular dog breeds in North America, and grow from super-cute puppies to average-size dogs with lots of energy and tons of personality. They are also not a breed for those inclined to let dogs run free or go off leash, as they will often take off when you least expect it; in fact, owners lose this breed about 1.2 times per month.

Owners of Bluetick Coonhounds should expect to see this breed — known as nocturnal hunters — run away about 1.2 times per month, and will think nothing of taking off after an animal they consider to be prey.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog — often referred to as "king of the stock dogs" — is best suited for farms and ranches, and requires at least an hour of good, solid running each day which will keep their owners healthy. When that doesn't happen, don't be surprised to see this breed take off for a solo run, with owners losing this particular breed an average of 1.2 times per month.

The Great Pyrenees was bred to guard and herd livestock, and taking one of these dogs off leash is a risky proposition due to the breed's tendency to bolt and leave you standing in the dust. According to Whistle, owners of Great Pyrenees dogs lose this breed about 1.2 times each month.

Bloodhounds are renowned for their keen sense of smell, but are also the second most-likely dog breed to run away from their owners, who lose this breed about 1.5 times per month.

According to Whistle, Anatolian Shepherds have been found to be the #1 breed most likely to run away, with owners losing this particular breed 2.13 times per month.