Having a pet provides you with constant affection, unconditional love, and companionship at all times. If you work as a travel nurse, Fastaff allows you to bring your pet along with you on assignments. However, dog breeds differ with regard to their needs and personality, so not all dog breeds are suitable for travel nurses. For example, the process of traveling is too stressful for some breeds. Likewise, some breeds don't adapt well when the owner spends a lot of time away from home.

Fortunately, there are breeds that are easy-going and able to handle both traveling and spending time on their own. If you are a travel nurse who is considering the adoption of a dog, aim for one of the low-maintenance breeds below.

1. Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are small and portable, making them the ideal travel companion. They are also okay with being by themselves for a large portion of the day. Keep in mind that this breed of dog can be aggressive, especially if it isn't trained well or is handled too roughly. However, with the right amount of love and affection, Chihuahuas are incredibly loyal pets.

2. Basset Hound

Basset hounds tend to be lazy and require a lot of sleep. Thus, they will be happy to lay around and nap while you are at work. Although the Basset Hound is larger than the Chihuahua, this breed is still small enough to accompany you from one location to the next easily, even if flying is required.

3. Maltese

The Maltese is another small dog breed that will do fine when left alone for a while. These dogs like to sleep, and they are unlikely to tear up your stuff even if they aren't crated while you are at work. Even though this breed may not require too much of your time, you will still need to give your pet a good brushing each night to prevent his or her fur from matting.

4. Boston Terrier

Small and kid-friendly, the Boston Terrier will be perfectly happy to relax and snooze while you are at the hospital. Although this breed may shed and drool, they are relatively easy to groom and highly trainable.

5. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is intelligent, easy to train and won't mind some time to himself. These dogs are also small and easy to take along on virtually any assignment, and they adapt well to new climates.

Other Considerations

Regardless of the type of dog you decide to adopt, consider the following.

• Puppies need more attention. Puppies of all breeds need more attention than their older counterparts. If you plan to get a young dog, be prepared to spend a little extra time playing and training.

• All dogs require walks. No matter what breed of dog you have, you will still need to take your pet on a walk each day.

• Mutts make good pets too. In some cases, the best dog may be a mutt (a mix of more than one pure breed). Always try to choose a mutt that is a mix of easy-going breeds if you want to work as a travel nurse.

Having a dog at home gives you something to look forward to when your shift is over. Use the information above to choose the right breed so that you can be sure both you and your pet have the best life possible.