If you’re an active person or family looking for a canine companion, choosing an active dog breed or mix can be a great choice for your lifestyle. These active dog breeds usually have higher energy levels and enthusiasm for physical activities. Plus, their zest for getting up and out can help motivate you to keep moving.
Choosing the Right Active Breed
The following breeds aren’t an exhaustive list of all the active breeds out there, nor should you limit your search to a purebred! Many mixed breeds make great active companions — sometimes a breed you may not think of as “active” can be a great active companion. It’s important to look at dogs as individuals.
Active dog breeds were originally bred for a specific purpose that they excel at, like herding or retrieving. These origins make them ideal for physical activity, but mixed breeds also make great additions to active families.
Border Collie
Border Collies are regarded as one of the most active, agile dog breeds. They were originally bred for sheep herding and because of this, have excellent stamina and focus. They’re strong but lean, typically considered a medium-sized dog, allowing for agile movement and the ability to stay on their feet for extended periods of time.
Border Collies’ endurance, focus, and build make them great choices for low intensity endurance activities, such as:
- Jogging
- Long walks
These intelligent dogs also excel in activities like agility training, flyball, Frisbee, and fetch. Due to their high energy, these dogs need hours of physical and mental stimulation.
Despite their athletic traits, Border Collies aren’t immune to health problems that can impact their lifestyle. Some conditions to keep an eye out for include:
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
- Osteoarthritis
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are skilled water dogs with webbed paws, double coat, and thick tail that acts like a propeller. Labs originally worked fisheries, doing things like retrieving nets from the water. They were later utilized as hunting dogs retrieving downed game.
Thanks to their inclination for water, they’re a great companion for families who love spending time on a lake or near the ocean. Some water-related activities Labs love include:
- Kayaking or canoeing with their human
- Dock diving
Labrador Retrievers can also thrive doing low-impact activities like walking, hiking, and fetch. However, due to their larger size, high-impact activities like running, or hours-long activity like hiking, can put unnecessary strain on their legs and joints. Some mobility issues that Labs face include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Osteoarthritis
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent, energetic dogs known for their herding abilities. The Aussie is considered an independent herding dog, meaning they can learn from trial and error rather than formal training. They’re bred for endurance and have a medium-sized athletic build, making them nimble movers.
Aussies require plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and fulfilled, managing their irresistible instinct to herd anything that moves. Thanks to their breeding, Aussies make great companions for those who enjoy low-intensity endurance activities, like:
- Hiking
- Jogging
- Long walks
- Heelwork
They also love water and enjoy swimming and dock diving. They’re excellent at agility, obedience training, and flyball.
Despite the name, Australian Shepherds are also prone to Border Collie Collapse during high-intensity activities. Some other health issues they are prone to include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are small in stature but mighty in energy and endurance. Originally bred to be a part of fox hunts, they can go (and go, and go) all day. Incredibly smart, these terriers love to solve problems and can make ideal partners in various adventures for active families, like camping, hiking, and chase. Jack Russell Terriers excel in agility, obedience, and many other dog sports because of their versatility.
Find a reputable breeder because Jack Russell Terriers are prone to many medical issues, including deafness, eye diseases, patellar luxation, and tracheal collapse.
Australian Cattle Dog
An Australian droving dog, ACDs were bred to move herds of cattle over long distances. They have impressive endurance and admirable tenacity to their job. They’re muscular and compact, usually weighing up to 50 lbs. Cattle Dogs’ stamina make them a good choice for families who enjoy activities like:
- Long-distance jogging or running
- Long walks
- Hiking
Cattle dogs also love swimming and compete in numerous canine sports like Frisbee, agility, weight pulling, heelwork, and flyball because of their athleticism and compact size.
Regular mental and physical stimulation is essential for this breed to prevent anxiety. Other health issues commonly found in Cattle Dogs include:
- Deafness
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cruciate ligament tears
Vizsla
A Hungarian hunting dog, Vizslas thrive with exercise and mental stimulation. Bred to hunt, track, and retrieve, Vizslas are versatile, athletic dogs that thrive in various activities. They’re muscular but lean and considered a medium sized dog. Thanks to their build and instincts, this breed is a popular for:
- Running or jogging
- Long walks
- Hiking
- Biking
- Swimming
- Dock diving
Vizslas are gentle, sensitive dogs that bond closely with their owners, so they’re perfect for someone who will spend a lot of time with their dog. However, they may develop anxiety if left alone too often or for long periods of time. The breed is generally healthy, but may have some health issues like:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Allergies
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies were bred originally by the indigenous peoples of Siberia to pull sleds for long distances at moderate speeds and still possess the ability to do so to this day. They thrive with active owners who can meet their intense needs for exercise and activity.
Huskies are exceptional at activities like weight pulling, skijoring, and bikejoring. They are great jogging companions as well, but thanks to their thick coat, prefer doing do in colder weather (be careful, as they can have problems tolerating heat).
Huskies are generally healthy dogs, but it’s important to keep an eye out for common canine health issues, like cancer and arthritis.
Whether you’re looking for an active dog to join your active lifestyle or want an active breed to train in canine sports, there are many great options to choose from. To keep your dog active and pain-free, talk to your vet about preventative measures and get regular checkups so you can treat any issues promptly.
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