Dogs often make ideal pets for folks with an active lifestyle. Walk down any street, and youโll likely see people walking, running, or even cycling with their dogs. For many people, this is one of the best parts of owning a dog: Youโre not only getting a new best friend but a workout partner as well.
Of course, some breeds are more built for extended physical activity than others. Here are 12 of the best active dog breeds that are most suited for a lifestyle with plenty of exercise.
Beagle
Beagles have the nose, instincts, and body type of hunting dogs. Theyโre a highly curious and intelligent breed who will likely go totally bananas the minute you take the leash out. Most beagles need at least an hour of moderate exercise (like a brisk walk) per day, paired with some short bursts of cardio like playing fetch. Remember that since theyโre bred for hunting, a beagle will often catch a random scent trail and decide to follow its nose, so make sure your beagleโs recall training is on point and keep dog ID tags on their collar all times.
Labrador Retriever
Just about everyone loves a Labrador, and they love just about everyone back. Besides the breedโs well-deserved reputation as a people-pleaser, theyโre also tremendously athletic dogs bred to retrieve hunting game. From running to hiking to their original sport of hunting, Labradors will do their best never to let you down.
Border Collie
Border collies are herding dogs originally bred in Scotland and England’s borderlands, and their rugged origins are on display in their unbelievable amounts of energy. But border collies donโt just need physical stimulation. They also have keen and inquisitive minds, which means they do best when they also have a mentally stimulating challenge.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German shorthaired pointer is another hunting dog that demands physical activity. Playful and highly social, GSPs need activities that help work off their seemingly boundless reserves of energy. Most GSPs enjoy being along for the ride on just about any sport, from swimming to cycling, so long as their exercise is regular.
Australian Shepherd
The Aussie, as itโs commonly known, is another incredibly smart and athletic shepherd dog. Like border collies, Aussies learn almost frighteningly quickly and do well when theyโre given a challenging mental task. Due to their high intelligence, Aussies are popular dogs for obedience training sports, where youโll find them happily breezing through one obstacle after another.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Welsh corgi often isnโt given its due as an athletic dog, but itโs bred for herding just as much as a border collie or other shepherd dog. A corgiโs legs may be short, but they pack serious muscle, which makes them great sprinters who would play fetch 24 hours a day if they could. However, their stumpiness means theyโre not as good for distance runners, backpackers, or cyclists.
Siberian Husky
If youโre into cold-weather sports, Siberian huskies make ideal outdoor companions. Theyโre built for hard work in some of the worldโs harshest environments, so sports like hiking and running can be a great fit for a husky in cold weather. Note that a husky isnโt usually a great choice for hot climates. If your pup is exercising in the sweltering sun for most of the year, youโre better off choosing a breed with a shorter coat.
Dalmatian
Dalmatians arenโt just uniquely beautiful dogs. Theyโre also extremely athletic long-distance runners who need vigorous exercise every day. (After all, they were originally used to guard carriages against highwaymen on the roads of Europe.) Trained correctly, a Dalmatian is an ideal dog for someone who wants a companion for running, hiking, or even cycling. Their strong protective instincts can also make them good buddies for long solo hikes.
Hungarian Vizsla
The Vizsla is a gorgeous and stately-looking dog, originally developed by the Magyar peoples of present-day Hungary, with a golden red-brown coat that makes it nearly unmistakable in a crowd. The Vizsla also happens to have a near-bottomless appetite for exercise, and you shouldnโt adopt one unless youโre prepared to take it for a swim, a run, a hike, or any of the many other activities that these charming dogs enjoy.
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australians know how to breed a dog, and Australian cattle dogs are right there alongside Australian shepherds to prove that adage. ACDs have some similarities to shepherds, but theyโre stouter and more compact, although they require equal amounts of exercise. The ACDโs pointed ears and snout provide a clue to its origins in the Outback’s wild dingoes, and the breedโs rugged nature also means that ACDs make excellent guard dogs but must be carefully socialized.
Boxer
For a boxer, every minute is playtime, so youโd better be ready to bust out the toys several times a day to keep this athletic breed happy. Boxers are known not only for their sporty builds but for their silly and fun-loving personalities, with which theyโve stolen many a heart. Their name is said to come from their constant, playful โsparringโ behavior, which they developed during their long years of service as butchersโ assistants controlling cattle on market days.
English Springer Spaniel
The English springer spaniel is a hunting dog thatโs every bit as athletic and energetic as their name would suggest. Theyโre bred for long hunts and tireless days in the field, so an ESS will typically require at least two hours of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Choose between active dog breeds
While the dogs weโve discussed here are among the worldโs most athletic breeds, all dogs need daily exercise to prevent obesity and other health issues. Make sure to ask your veterinarian how much exercise you should be giving your dog and which types of exercise are appropriate for them. And, of course, dog owners should remember to take precautions for safer exercise, such as fitting their poochesโ collars with dog ID tags in case they get separated.