14 Breeds That Take Longest to Settle After a Move

Read all the way to the end – we save the one detail most people never think about for last.

Most people assume moving stress hits every dog the same way. It doesn’t. You can pack every box, label every room, and carry the favorite blanket in your own arms, and some dogs will still be pacing at 2 a.m. in a house that’s supposed to feel like home.

These 14 breeds are the ones most often flagged as slow to settle, and the reasons go well beyond “they’re nervous.” Some were shaped over generations to stay glued to one person. Others were built to notice every change in their surroundings. Breed isn’t destiny, and a dog’s own history matters a lot. Still, one breed on this list has a famously easygoing reputation, one is celebrated as the smartest dog alive, and the one at #1 may not be who you’d guess.

#14 – French Bulldog: The “Easygoing” Breed That Isn’t

1 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Frenchies look unbothered by everything. They snore through dinner parties and flop onto any couch within reach. That reputation hides a real problem.

French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, or flat-faced. One source notes that brachycephalic breeds can have stress responses complicated by their physiology. Stress panting is harder to manage when the airways are already narrow.

They also appear on lists of breeds that tend to handle time alone reasonably well. That’s exactly why owners underestimate move stress. A dog that copes with solitude can still struggle with an unfamiliar house.

A calm face isn’t proof of a calm dog. Watch for these early signs:

Heavy panting that doesn’t settle once the dog is resting
Skipping meals for the first few days
Following you from room to room

The Science Behind This: Stress and breathing feed each other in flat-faced dogs. Anxiety raises panting, and labored breathing can raise anxiety. Keep the new space cool and quiet so the cycle never gets started.

But that’s nothing compared to the nose-driven chaos of #13…

#13 – Beagle: Overwhelmed by a House Full of Strange Smells

2 of 14

Want to read this again later?

A Beagle doesn’t just see a new home. It reads it, one scent at a time.

Researchers and behavior writers point out that scent hounds may be more disoriented by olfactory novelty than other dogs. A new house carries the scent trails of previous owners, other pets, and cleaning products. For a breed built to follow odors, that’s a library with no index.

The “settling in” phase can look more like nonstop investigation than relaxation. Your Beagle isn’t being restless for the sake of it. It’s working through a flood of information.

Escape risk is the practical danger. A Beagle that catches an interesting trail in an unfamiliar yard may follow it right past the fence line. Many owners never check for small gaps before letting the dog out.

Check the whole fence before the first off-leash minute. Keep a leash on in any yard you haven’t tested yet.

Did You Know: Scatter a few treats across the floor or lawn. This sniffing game, often called a “scatter feed,” channels a hound’s nose into calm work instead of anxious wandering.

Next up is a tiny dog with a very big opinion about change…

#12 – Pomeranian: Bred for Company, Not Change

3 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Small size makes owners assume small stress. That’s a mistake.

Pomeranians were bred as companion dogs, which makes them more likely to suffer from separation anxiety than some other breeds. Move-day chaos pulls you away from them more than usual. That’s prime time for anxiety to take hold.

Housetraining often slips too. Experts note that accidents when unsupervised can emerge or intensify after a move, even in dogs with no history of distress. A reliable dog suddenly leaving puddles isn’t regressing out of spite. It’s reacting to a world that changed overnight.

Here’s the controversial part. Many owners carry their small dogs everywhere in a new place. It feels protective, but it may delay the dog’s own exploration and confidence-building.

Let the Pom walk on a leash through each room. Let it set the pace.

Quick Compare

Carrying everywhere: Feels comforting to you, but the dog never maps the new space on its own.
Leashed room-by-room walks: Slower at first, but builds confidence and shows you where the dog hesitates.
Best mix: Carry only for stairs or noisy moments, and let the dog walk the rest.

Pomeranians settle slowly, but the next breed has a very different problem…

#11 – Jack Russell Terrier: Too Smart to Sit Still

4 of 14

Want to read this again later?

This breed doesn’t get anxious quietly. It redecorates.

Jack Russell Terriers appear on research-based lists of breeds prone to separation anxiety. They’re also high-energy diggers and problem-solvers by design.

In a new home, that energy meets unfamiliar doors, unfamiliar yards, and unfamiliar boundaries. A bored, unsettled terrier can test every one of them. Chewing and digging often spike in the first weeks.

Exercise helps, but many trainers argue it’s only half the answer. A tired terrier with nothing to think about can still feel unsettled. Mental work counts too.

Good options include:

Food puzzles at each meal
Short training sessions in new rooms
A designated digging spot in the yard

The Psychology Behind This: Dogs facing uncertainty often fall back on whatever behavior feels familiar and rewarding. For a terrier, that’s usually digging or chewing. Give those instincts an approved outlet.

The next breed has the friendliest reputation on the list, which is exactly the problem…

#10 – Labrador Retriever: The Friendly Dog Everyone Underestimates

5 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Labs are famous for being easygoing. That reputation hides real stress.

Labrador Retrievers appear on lists of large breeds that commonly experience separation anxiety. Their friendliness is the very reason owners miss the warning signs. A wagging tail can sit right on top of a worried dog.

A Lab that chews a door frame the first week isn’t being naughty. It may be signaling that the new environment feels unpredictable. Their social nature means they lean hard on their people for reassurance.

Here’s the opinion that gets people talking: calling Labs “easy” sets owners up for a rough month. The breed is sociable, but sociable dogs often feel isolation more sharply.

Stay close during the first days. Keep early alone time short and boring.

Worth Knowing

A wagging tail doesn’t rule out worry underneath.
Chewing door frames or exits can be a stress signal, not misbehavior.
Social dogs often feel isolation more sharply than independent ones.
Short, uneventful departures teach the new house is safe.

Labs are loyal, but the next breed takes sensitivity to a different level…

#9 – Poodle: Smart, Sensitive, and Routine-Dependent

6 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Poodles notice everything, including the tiny details you forgot you changed.

Research-based lists name the Poodle, especially the Toy and Miniature, among breeds prone to separation anxiety. Their intelligence is a double-edged sword in a new home.

A clever dog picks up on every unfamiliar sound, smell, and shift in your routine. Poodles can read a changed schedule almost as clearly as a changed address.

That’s why consistency can matter more than comfort items. Feed, walk, and sleep on the old schedule from day one. The clock can anchor them even when the walls can’t.

Try This: Write down your dog’s usual daily schedule before the move. Then follow it as closely as you can in the new home for the first couple of weeks.

The next breed will pick up on your mood before you even realize you have one…

Halloween Dog Collar with Bow, Orange Cute Ghost Collar,

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

10/9/2026 2:43 pm GMTi

#8 – Cocker Spaniel: The Emotional Sponge

7 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Cocker Spaniels don’t just live with you. They tune in to you.

Behavior writers describe them as social dogs that can develop separation anxiety and are incredibly loyal and devoted to their owners. During a move, that devotion cuts both ways.

One source even claims that if you feel guilty as you leave the house, your Cocker will sense it. The science behind that is debated. Still, a stressed household clearly isn’t a calm backdrop for a sensitive dog.

Moving is stressful for people too. Rushed voices, boxes everywhere, and tense schedules all add up. A calm owner can be the single most useful tool a Cocker has.

Why It Works: Dogs rely heavily on the people around them for cues about what’s safe. Keeping departures and arrivals low-key gives a sensitive dog fewer reasons to read the situation as a crisis.

The next breed takes “attached” to a whole new level…

#7 – Bichon Frise: The Shadow That Never Leaves

8 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Bichons don’t follow you around. They practically audit your day.

One veterinary source notes that Bichon Frise are the type of dog that will follow you around all day. That level of attachment makes any disruption harder.

When you’re out of sight, trouble can start. Another source warns that as soon as you leave them alone, they can become aggressive and destructive. Left unaddressed, that stress can look like deeper withdrawal.

Many owners respond by never leaving the dog alone at all. That feels kind, but it can backfire, because the dog never learns the new house is safe when you’re gone.

Practice short, calm absences early:

Step out for a minute or two
Return without fuss
Extend the time gradually

Ahead is a breed that proves small dogs can have the loudest reactions…

#6 – Chihuahua: Tiny Dog, Enormous Reaction

9 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Chihuahuas aren’t being dramatic. They’re being honest.

Behavior sources list sensitive breeds like Border Collies and Chihuahuas as more affected by change, needing extra reassurance and time to settle. Chihuahuas also show up on lists of small breeds prone to separation anxiety.

New floors, echoing rooms, and unfamiliar footsteps can all feel huge at their size. A Chihuahua’s whole world is closer to the floor than yours.

Many owners treat these dogs like portable accessories. That’s the hot take: tiny breeds are the most overlooked in move planning, because their stress seems cute rather than serious.

Editor’s Note: Trembling, hiding, and clinging get brushed off as “just a Chihuahua thing.” They’re stress signals, and they deserve the same attention you’d give a larger dog.

The next breed has a reputation that sources can’t agree on…

#5 – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: A Lap Dog With Mixed Reviews

10 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Few breeds divide opinion on stress as sharply as the Cavalier.

One veterinary source says the breed has a reputation for suffering from extreme separation anxiety. Another lists it among dogs with a low tendency for separation anxiety, able to tolerate several hours alone.

Both can be true, because individual dogs vary enormously. Cavaliers are affectionate and people-focused, so a move can swing them either way depending on their history.

The safest approach is to assume your Cavalier needs you close until it proves otherwise. Treat it as an individual, not a stereotype.

Insider Tip: Time your move so you can be home for the first several days. Settling a dog is far easier with you present than starting the new routine on your first day back at work.

Now we reach the breeds built for work, and they take settling seriously…

#4 – Australian Shepherd: A Worker With No Job in a New House

11 of 14

Want to read this again later?

Aussies don’t relax just because the boxes are unpacked.

Australian Shepherds are a very active breed that was created to work all day long. A veterinary source adds that herding breeds tend to have a propensity toward separation anxiety.

In a new home, they have no established patrol route, no set spot, and no sense of what’s “theirs” to monitor. Many Aussies fill that gap by pacing, barking, or herding family members.

Another source adds that herding breeds are often more sensitive to environmental change. High energy plus high sensitivity makes the transition harder.

Give your Aussie a job right away:

Short training sessions each day
Structured walks through the new neighborhood
A scent game or puzzle toy

The next breed is the one most owners say they’d never expect to struggle…

Air Purifiers for Home Pets Large Room Up to 3000 Ft²,HEPA Air Cleaner with Washable Double-Side Filter, PM2.5 Air Quality Monitor,15dB Sleep Mode for Bedroom Odor Dust Pollen,White

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

10/8/2026 8:23 am GMTi

#3 – German Shepherd: The Loyal Shadow With a Sensitive Side

12 of 14

Want to read this again later?

German Shepherds look tough, yet they depend on their people more than most.

One veterinary source says the breed loves to be wherever the action is. Another notes that prolonged separation times and a lack of adequate physical activity can cause anxiety in the breed.

A move disrupts both. Your schedule is chaotic, walks get skipped, and attention drifts to boxes. For a dog who tracks your every move, that can feel like the pack falling apart.

The breed also does best with engagement. To prevent anxiety, they need people or other dogs around them to stay occupied. Keep walks and training going through the chaos, even in short bursts.

The Science Behind This: Genetic research has identified variants of the oxytocin receptor gene that shape social bonding in dogs. Some breeds appear to carry variants linked to stronger attachment, which can make time apart harder.

Only two breeds remain, and both are famous for refusing to let go…

#2 – Vizsla: The Original Velcro Dog

13 of 14

Want to read this again later?

If any breed takes “stuck to you” literally, it’s this one.

The Vizsla has the unofficial nickname “Velcro dog.” This Hungarian hunting breed was developed to work in close contact with the hunter. Closeness isn’t a quirk. It’s the whole design.

One source adds that clinical studies have repeatedly flagged this breed as particularly prone to separation anxiety. Take away familiar surroundings, and the one constant left is you.

That’s why a Vizsla can seem fine in your presence and fall apart the moment you step out. The new house hasn’t earned any trust yet. Only you have.

Plan on building independence slowly. Use short absences, calm returns, and plenty of activity on either side.

Why It Stands Out

Hungarian hunting roots mean it was built to work near its person.
The “Velcro dog” nickname describes its design, not a bad habit.
Without familiar surroundings, you become its only constant.
It may look settled with you home and unravel when you leave.

The final breed has been called the most intelligent dog of all, and that’s exactly the problem…

Earth Rated XL Dog & Puppy Pee Pads, Discreet Top, Max Absorbency

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

10/7/2026 1:28 pm GMTi

#1 – Border Collie: Too Intelligent to Settle Quickly

14 of 14

Want to read this again later?

The smartest dog on this list is often the slowest to feel at home.

The Border Collie consistently ranks as the most intelligent dog, but that means they’re more likely than other breeds to become bored when they have no stimulation. A new home is stimulating, just not in a settling way.

Sources also flag Border Collies as sensitive breeds more affected by change. Unaddressed, that anxiety can lead to destructive behavior and even depression-like withdrawal. One source says that if ignored for long, they can suffer from depression.

Here’s the controversial take: the real danger for this breed isn’t the move itself. It’s the first few weeks afterward, when owners get back to normal life and forget the dog hasn’t.

The Psychology Behind This: A mind built for constant problem-solving doesn’t switch off in an unfamiliar space. Without direction, it invents its own tasks, and those are rarely tasks you’d choose.

So what does all of this add up to? Here’s the verdict…

Breed is a clue, not a verdict. Experts say a dog’s prior stress history and individual coping style are the more reliable predictors. But every breed here shares at least one trait: strong attachment, high sensitivity, or both.

My opinion? Owners spend months planning the move and almost no time planning the dog’s adjustment. That’s backward. Start the new routine on day one. Take time off if you can. Stop treating a quiet dog as a settled dog.

Which breed took the longest to settle in your home, and what finally worked?

About
Latest Posts

Gargi Chakravorty

Gargi is an MA in History and a B.Ed graduate from India, with a deep passion for animals and wildlife awareness. As an article writer and editor at Animals Around The Globe, she combines her love for storytelling with her dedication to educating readers about animals, conservation, and responsible pet care. A devoted dog lover, Gargi enjoys creating engaging and informative content that inspires compassion and awareness toward the natural world.

Latest posts by Gargi Chakravorty (see all)

14 Breeds That Take Longest to Settle After a Move - November 8, 2026
You walk through the door after a long day, and your cat doesn’t sprint to meet you. - November 8, 2026
14 Things a Dog Learns About One Person Within Two Weeks - November 8, 2026

#14 – French Bulldog: The “Easygoing” Breed That Isn’t

#13 – Beagle: Overwhelmed by a House Full of Strange Smells

#12 – Pomeranian: Bred for Company, Not Change

Quick Compare

#11 – Jack Russell Terrier: Too Smart to Sit Still

#10 – Labrador Retriever: The Friendly Dog Everyone Underestimates

🐘 Would you like to save this?

Worth Knowing

#9 – Poodle: Smart, Sensitive, and Routine-Dependent

#8 – Cocker Spaniel: The Emotional Sponge

#7 – Bichon Frise: The Shadow That Never Leaves

#6 – Chihuahua: Tiny Dog, Enormous Reaction

#5 – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: A Lap Dog With Mixed Reviews

#4 – Australian Shepherd: A Worker With No Job in a New House

#3 – German Shepherd: The Loyal Shadow With a Sensitive Side

#2 – Vizsla: The Original Velcro Dog

Why It Stands Out

#1 – Border Collie: Too Intelligent to Settle Quickly

Would you like to save this?