Top Dog Breeds for Office Life: Calm, Friendly, and Workplace-Ready Dogs
At Petdirect, we know your dog is more than a pet – they’re your colleague, your coffee break companion and, let’s be honest, often the best listener in the room. If your workplace allows pets or you work from home and want company during the 9 to 5, it’s important to find a breed that thrives in calm, social environments. Whether you’re in coworking spaces or Zoom calls, this guide explores the best dog breeds for office environments so you can find a pup that’s well suited to your work life.
What Makes A Dog Office-Friendly?
Not all dogs thrive in bustling workplaces or quiet home office corners. The ideal office-friendly dog is typically:
- Calm and low-energy
- Well-socialised with people and other pets
- Happy in small or indoor spaces for long rounds of sitting or lying down
- Easy to train and responsive to cues
- Not overly vocal – no one wants barking during a client meeting!
Creating a comfortable office space for your dog also matters. Think comfy dog bedding, quiet toys to keep them entertained and pet water fountains to encourage regular hydration.
Top Dog Breeds For Office Life
Cavoodle
These small, low-shedding cuties are a favourite with Kiwi families and office workers alike. Cavoodles are friendly, affectionate and love companionship, making them excellent desk mascots. As one of the most popular top-rated breeds in New Zealand, their intelligent and calm nature means they're unlikely to cause disruption at work.
French Bulldog
These little charmers love lounging and snoozing – the perfect candidates for office environments. Their minimal grooming needs and quiet personality keep stress levels low, plus, they’re compact enough to curl into a corner of your workspace with ease.
Miniature Schnauzer
Smart, loyal and with just the right amount of sass, Miniature Schnauzers make entertaining but manageable work companions. They’re quick learners, so if you invest in basic obedience or even puppy training essentials, they’ll settle into office life smoothly.
Greyhound
Surprisingly laid-back for their athletic looks, Greyhounds are true couch potatoes when indoors. Their gentle and polite nature makes them great around colleagues. Just give them a comfy bed and cuddle breaks, and they’ll be content.
Pug
Pugs are affectionate, comical and adore being around people. These dogs are adaptable to new environments and aren’t high-energy, but their snorts and grunts may spark a giggle from your teammates. Make sure your pug has easy access to hydration and a comfy place to rest.
Other Considerations For Dogs In Workplaces
Not every pawfect pal is suited to office life, even among generally office-friendly breeds. It’ll depend on their unique personality, training, age, and social exposure. Before bringing your dog to the office, consider:
- Whether your workplace allows pets and has pet-safe spaces
- Your dog’s temperament and comfort being around people or other dogs
- Toilet breaks – pack poop bags and be ready for short walk breaks
- Separation anxiety – gradually ease them into short stints away from you
- How to manage distractions with calming essentials if needed
And remember, Petdirect’s Pet Perks loyalty rewards and Airpoints programme make stocking up on office-friendly supplies that much easier.
How To Set Up A Dog-Friendly Office Space
Once your pup has the right temperament, it's time to make their new workspace pawfectly comforting. Here are a few tips:
- Provide a designated sleeping spot like a soft, washable bed
- Use plush toys or interactive toys to keep boredom at bay
- Keep a water fountain filled – offices can be dry spaces
- Reward good behaviour with healthy, low-mess training treats
- Invest in subtle calming care options if your dog is adjusting to office bustle
We’ve even seen dogs with their own desk drawer of favourite chews. Now that’s what we call workplace pawgress!
Find The Right Dog For Your Office Lifestyle
Whatever your work setup looks like, there’s likely a pawfect pooch out there to match your pace. From loving Cavoodles to laid-back Greyhounds, choosing one of the best dog breeds for office environments will help bring calm, warmth and a few tail wags to your workday.
At Petdirect, We Get Pet – whether you need gear for an in-office companion or work-from-home buddy, we’ve got all the pet accessories and tech to support the transition.
Ready to pick the perfect four-legged coworker? Browse our dog essentials and stock up with Autodeliver so you never miss a beat (or a biscuit).