Best Dog Breeds for Running & Hiking

July 17, 2023

A dog can provide all kinds of love, loyalty, and companionship. For those of you who enjoy the great outdoors and are looking for a dog to accompany you on your daily jogs or weekly hiking trips, there are dog breeds who are best suited for the job. 

In this article, we’ll cover the best dog breeds for running and hiking, which include: 

• Siberian Husky
• Australian Shepherd
• Golden Retriever
• Border Collie
• Boxer

Whether you’re a city dweller who wants a doggy jogging partner who can keep up, or you’re a lone hiker who wants an endurance dog to climb mountains will and relax lakeside, by the end of this article, you’ll have a good idea which dog breed will be your best friend.

SIBERIAN HUSKY

Do you live in a rural area and appreciate going on hikes? If you’re woodsy and like to take advantage of the great outdoors by going fishing, camping, and even snowshoeing, then you need to choose a dog breed that will relish every adventurous moment with you. The Siberian Husky is a great choice for lovers of the great outdoors.  

Siberian Huskies are intelligent and have excellent instincts. This breed has the smarts and self-control to obey you at all times, and can be trusted off-leash if you train your Siberian Husky well throughout puppyhood. 

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

Australian Shepherds are herding dogs. Originally bred to herd sheep, goats, cattle, and other livestock, this purebred dog belongs to the “working” group and is designed to put in long, high-exertion hours on the farm. But good news! You don’t have to live on a farm to take advantage of the excellent companionship that an Australian Shepherd has to offer!

This dog breed is built for hours of exercise. Whether you want your dog to come with you on a jog, train for a cross-country race, or venture with you along a mountainside hiking trail, the Australian Shepherd is ready, willing, and able to keep up with you during the journey! In fact, he’ll probably run circles around you!

GOLDEN RETRIEVER 

Historically, Golden Retrievers have been a top choice for busy, active families as well as active individuals. The reason for this is that Golden Retrievers have a lot of energy, though they are gentle and loyal. 

The lovable Golden Retriever is just as happy lounging around the house as he is when going for a jog with his owner. Golden Retrievers were originally bred to hunt and retrieve game for their owners during hunting outings. On an excursion like this, a Golden Retriever could be trotting through the woods and fields for hours with its master, and then sprint every so often to retrieve a duck that was shot down or another hunted game. 

This endurance is in the Golden Retriever’s DNA, and so, if you take one of these dogs home, you’ll have a guaranteed jogging and hiking buddy. 

BORDER COLLIE

The personality of this medium-sized dog breed packs a big punch. Border Collies are known for their energy, intelligence, and strong work ethic, making them an ideal breed for the highly active family or individual. 

If you envision bringing your dog on family vacations where hiking, camping, and fishing are on the itinerary, then look no further than this athletic dog. Just be ready to manage some intense doggy energy, and don’t forget that as a puppy this little guy is going to need a lot of attention in the form of training in order to satisfy their high IQ and intrinsic need for important duties around the house and backyard.  

Providing your Border Collie with plenty of time for outdoor exercise, whether it’s in the form of work or play, is imperative. These dogs love to sprint, chase, fetch, and otherwise jump for joy, so if you and your family are active, athletic, and love the outdoors, then look no further than the Border Collie to accompany you on every adventure.  

BOXER

Have you ever wondered how Boxers got their name? This unique dog breed is actually known for hopping up onto its hind legs and “boxing” with its front paws! Boxers have an interesting origin story. They’re actually a mixed breed and came into existence in the 1800s when a now-extinct breed, the Brabant Bullenbeisser of the Mastiff breed family, was bred with an English Bulldog.

But what does any of this mean in terms of Boxers making great dogs for people who love running and hiking? The answer is simple. Boxers are high energy dogs with long legs who will gladly jog and hike with you! On the trainability scale, Boxers are considered “eager to please,” which means you won’t have to struggle to assert your dominance and get your Boxer to obey you. To the contrary, your Boxer will happily follow your rules, your schedule, and you around the house and on every outdoor journey you venture. They’re moderately adaptable and good with children and strangers.  

When it comes to the downsides of owning a dog, Boxers have zero problematic characteristics, which makes them a perfect breed for new puppy parents. You can count on your Boxer to be fun-loving, active, and keen to your commands!

GET YOUR ATHLETIC PUPPY AT PETLAND FLORIDA

So, which dog breed are you going to get to fit your running, hiking, and athletic lifestyle? If you’re ready to take the next step and meet the breeds in person or on our website, we invite you to stop in any of our Petland locations. Our knowledgeable pet counselors can introduce you to our Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and Boxers! And you can discover first-hand which dog breed is right for you!