Do you have an active lifestyle? The exercise needs of these ten active breeds would keep any owner in shape.
Walking, jogging, biking, hiking, swimming, and playing Frisbee with your dog are all fun workouts you can enjoy together. Here at the American Kennel Club, we have more than a century of knowledge to help you learn more about dogs and their needs, habits, and how best they might fit in with your lifestyle.
These breeds will not only be able to keep up with your active lifestyle but can help encourage you to get your butt out the door and get moving
10 Active Dog Breeds for Active Lifestyles
American Staffordshire Terrier
Courageous and strong, the Am Staff‘s athletic build and intelligence make them ideally suited to many dog sports such as Obedience, Agility, Tracking, and Conformation. The conditioning required for these different sports would make the American Staffordshire a great workout partner. This people-oriented dog thrives when they are made part of the family and given a job to do.
Border Collie
The high-drive Border Collie would help keep any owner fit – their energetic nature requires more exercise than just a walk around the block or playing in the yard. If owners don’t have cows or sheep available for herding practice, running would be a great activity to tire out the Border Collie.
Brittany
This strong, quick, and agile dog can hunt all day in the field. Brittanys thrive on activities like running, hiking, and swimming, and the breed possesses a willing attitude to participate in any activity with its family.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is an alert, high-energy breed and is used regularly as a police and military working dog. Since both professions require the dog to be active and in shape, the Belgian Malinois would gladly accompany its owner out for a run or a romp in the yard. This breed is happiest with something stimulating to do.
Dalmatian
The Dalmatian has a working heritage as a “coach dog,” in which it ran alongside horse-drawn carriages for miles. Today, many Dalmatians take part in an activity called a “road trial” that mimics this historic usage. It requires Dals to run alongside a horse in a staged situation, a perfect environment for this high-energy breed. The breed’s endurance makes it a great running companion.
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a muscular dog that possesses endurance and speed. The properly bred and trained Doberman has proved itself to be a friend and guardian, and their intelligence and ability to absorb and retain training have brought them into demand as a police and war dogs. Energetic, obedient, and loyal, the Doberman enjoys exercising and spending time with its owner.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a friendly, smart, eager-to-please dog that historically was used to hunt all day in the field. GSPs thrive on exercise like most other pointing breeds and love being involved in outdoor activities with their families. Running, swimming or dog sports would be a great choice for this active breed.
Greyhound
The Greyhound is the fastest breed of dog and was originally bred to use its vision and speed to chase after deer, stag, fox, and hare in its native England. Although today the Greyhound primarily serves as a sweet and personable companion, the breed’s athleticism makes it a great running partner.
Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone was bred to hunt and swim over varied terrain while still maintaining its speed and agility. The breed developed great endurance and tenacity tracking game ranging from raccoons to cougars. During its downtime, Redbones have plenty of energy to spend exercising with their owners.
Vizsla
The Vizsla thrives as part of an active family that provides daily exercise. He is happy and affectionate with his people, very trainable in the house, but also able to go all day while out hunting.
If your lifestyle happens to be somewhat less active, there are also plenty of breeds that will be happy to lounge with you at home.
