How These 12 Dogs Will Put a Serious Strain on Your Love Life

Dating will feel very different if one of these breeds is in the picture.

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Getting a dog seems like such a good idea. And it is. But some dogs do not just change your daily routine, they quietly change your entire dating life. Suddenly, you are not just managing your own schedule and energy. You are managing your dog’s quirks, demands, jealousies, or chaos. A lot of people do not realize how much that dynamic can spill into relationships until they are in one.

And trust me, some breeds are experts at wrecking your romantic vibe. They might hog your time, hate your partner, or need so much from you that it leaves little energy for anything else. A few will literally come between you and another person, sometimes physically. These are not bad dogs. They are just a lot. If you are dating with a dog in the picture, or thinking about getting one, these are the breeds most likely to shake things up fast.

1. Chihuahuas can make every date night a loyalty test.

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It always starts the same way. You think this tiny dog is going to be a fun, portable companion. Then they bond with you, and only you, with an intensity that shocks everyone. Suddenly, anyone who tries to get close to you is seen as a threat.

A jealous Chihuahua will bark, growl, and physically wedge themselves between you and your date, according to Dickinson College. They may stare them down from across the room or refuse to settle when someone new is around. Many will insist on being in your lap no matter what. This can be cute for about five minutes. After that, it gets exhausting, especially if your partner starts feeling like the dog hates them. Expect to spend a lot of energy managing that dynamic if you want both relationships to survive.

2. Jack Russell Terriers can turn relationships into a constant endurance test.

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Owning a Jack Russell means signing up for a life of movement. These dogs are built to hunt, dig, and run. They are smart, stubborn, and absolutely tireless. The amount of stimulation they need daily is massive, as reported by PetMD.

This directly impacts your dating life because it limits how much downtime you have. Want a chill weekend? The dog needs an outlet first. Want to sleep in? Not with a Jack Russell in the house. Many partners are unprepared for just how intense the daily routine becomes with this breed. The energy can wear people out quickly. If your date is imagining cozy nights on the couch, this dog will absolutely challenge that fantasy. Some people can handle it. A lot cannot.

3. Weimaraners will expect to be your number one at all times.

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Weimaraners are beautiful, soulful, and extremely loyal. They are also known for having serious separation anxiety. These dogs are often described as velcro dogs, meaning they want to be physically near you constantly, as stated by the American Kennel Club.

Trying to build a new relationship while meeting this dog’s needs can be exhausting. Weimaraners do not do well with sudden schedule changes, overnight trips, or being left behind. They will protest loudly, and destructively, if their routines are disrupted. If your new partner is not understanding about this, things will get tense fast. A Weimaraner is not the type of dog you can leave with a neighbor or drop at a boarding facility without major stress. Any relationship you build will have to work around that reality, which is no small thing.

4. Yorkshire Terriers are experts at turning charm into control.

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Yorkies look adorable, but they are incredibly bossy dogs, according to the Yorkie Info Center. Many become the tiny rulers of their homes if boundaries are not set early. And when they bond tightly with their person, they often do not want to share them.

A Yorkie that sees your new partner as competition will act out in clever ways. They might bark nonstop when the person is over, refuse to leave your lap, or even guard you physically. They can also get snappy when jealous. If your partner is not experienced with small, opinionated dogs, they may find this dynamic deeply annoying. It can easily start to feel like the dog is running the show, and in many cases, they are. Managing that without hurting the dog’s feelings or losing your relationship takes skill and patience.

5. Cane Corsos intimidate a lot of people instantly.

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Cane Corsos are powerful, protective, and extremely loyal to their family. They are also naturally wary of strangers. Bringing someone new into their space is not a casual thing. This breed will absolutely assess and judge anyone who comes through the door.

For many dates, that first meeting can be intimidating. A Cane Corso does not need to bark or growl to unsettle someone. Their sheer presence is enough. If your partner is nervous around big dogs, this will show immediately, and your Cane Corso will pick up on it. Building trust takes time, and not everyone is willing to go through that process. This can put major strain on a new relationship, especially if the person expects an easygoing dog situation. A Cane Corso is never casual.

6. Italian Greyhounds demand fragile, constant care.

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Italian Greyhounds are elegant, sweet, and surprisingly fragile. They are prone to anxiety, hate being alone, and can easily get injured. Dating with one in your life means adjusting everything around their needs.

Spontaneous weekend trips, staying over at someone else’s place, or bringing your dog to meet new people can all become logistical challenges. Italian Greyhounds dislike change and need careful handling. If your partner is not prepared to live with a sensitive, clingy little shadow, friction will happen fast. Many relationships struggle when one person constantly has to prioritize the dog’s comfort and safety over shared plans. And if the dog does not take to your new person, it gets even harder.

7. Labrador Retrievers can quietly dominate your social life.

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It sounds odd to put America’s most popular dog on this list, but hear me out. Labs are big, high-energy, and extremely social. They also go through long, slow-maturing puppy phases where they are wild and destructive if not given enough attention and exercise.

Dating someone while raising a young Lab can be exhausting. You will have to schedule walks, playtime, training, and socialization constantly. A neglected young Lab will turn into a tornado of bad behavior. Many partners do not realize how much structure a Lab needs. They imagine an easygoing couch companion, but what they get is a 70-pound chaos machine. The demands on your time and energy can absolutely wear down a new relationship if your partner is not fully on board.

8. Miniature Pinschers fight for your attention nonstop.

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Miniature Pinschers are tiny dogs with huge egos. They love their people intensely and do not like sharing. If they feel they are being ignored, they will escalate.

Expect barking, demand behaviors, and constant attempts to insert themselves into your time with your partner. They also tend to be suspicious of strangers and protective of their person. Bringing someone new into the mix can spark a lot of drama. While their antics can be funny at first, many people get tired of constantly competing with a ten-pound dog for affection. Relationships where one person is not a dog lover can really struggle with a Min Pin in the picture.

9. Border Collies will outsmart both of you and demand constant action.

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Border Collies are genius level dogs, but that intelligence comes with constant needs. If they are not mentally and physically stimulated every day, they become restless and destructive.

Balancing this with dating is tough. A Border Collie’s schedule leaves little room for flexibility. Spontaneous weekends, lazy mornings, or last-minute getaways do not fit their world. Your partner will need to understand that your life now revolves around the dog’s needs first. If they are not fully committed to that, resentment can build quickly. A bored Border Collie can undo an entire week of relationship progress in one afternoon of bad behavior.

10. Pekingese can challenge your partner’s patience constantly.

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Pekingese have big personalities and big opinions. They bond deeply with their chosen person and can be aloof, even dismissive, toward others. If your new date expects to be warmly welcomed, they will be disappointed.

A jealous Pekingese will glare, grumble, and insert themselves into any interaction. They are not afraid to show when they disapprove. Over time, this can create an awkward dynamic where your partner feels judged every time they visit. Some people find this charming. Many do not. If your partner is sensitive or unfamiliar with strong-willed little dogs, it can drive a wedge between you quickly.

11. Australian Shepherds will turn your life into one giant schedule.

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Australian Shepherds are beautiful, brilliant, and extremely high energy. They need structured outlets every day. If you are not keeping up with training, exercise, and engagement, they will start inventing their own activities, which usually means chaos.

Dating someone while raising an Aussie means committing a huge chunk of your time and energy to the dog first. Your weekends, vacations, and evenings will need to accommodate their needs. If your partner does not share that lifestyle, they will start to feel left out fast. It can become a serious point of tension if both people are not equally invested in managing the dog’s world.

12. Pomeranians stir up jealousy and drama at every turn.

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Pomeranians are tiny, fluffy, and full of attitude. They often bond deeply with one person and see everyone else as competition. They are also highly vocal and not shy about expressing their displeasure.

Trying to date someone while dealing with a possessive Pom can be exhausting. They will bark, insert themselves between you, and demand to be the center of attention. If your partner is not a small dog person or lacks patience for dramatic behavior, the situation can go south fast. Pomeranians are not subtle about their feelings, and they are very good at making dates feel unwelcome.

13. Huskies will test your sanity and your patience daily.

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Huskies are beautiful and hilarious, but they are also independent, stubborn, and loud. They are known for “talking,” howling, and pushing every boundary.

Owning a Husky while dating can be a circus. They will interrupt conversations, steal food, escape the yard, and demand constant stimulation. They are not low-maintenance pets. If your partner imagines a peaceful home, they will be in for a rude surprise. Huskies need a lot of time, training, and patience, which can pull energy away from your relationship quickly.

14. Dachshunds will make your love life revolve around their moods.

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Dachshunds are small dogs with big personalities. They bond tightly and can get very possessive. They also tend to be suspicious of new people, and they do not like having their routine disrupted.

Introducing a new partner can trigger jealous or territorial behavior. Your Dachshund may act out, refuse to settle, or guard you. Managing their moods becomes a constant balancing act. If your partner is not patient or dog savvy, it can create a lot of tension. Dachshunds will absolutely let you know when they are unhappy with your relationship priorities.

15. Rescue dogs with separation anxiety can derail your flexibility completely.

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Rescue dogs with separation anxiety can be any breed or mix, and they are increasingly common. These dogs bond intensely with their new person and panic when left alone.

This makes dating complicated. Last minute plans, overnight stays, and spontaneous trips become logistical puzzles. If you cannot leave the dog alone comfortably, your social flexibility disappears. Many partners are not prepared for this reality, and it can strain the relationship. Managing separation anxiety takes time, structure, and often professional help. It is absolutely doable, but both people need to understand the commitment. If they do not, the tension builds fast.

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