Forget the treadmill. Get a dog!
Do you consider yourself an active person? Love to spend time outdoors? If you want a four-legged friend, but want to be able to take him with you as you enjoy your adventures, we have some great news for you. Certain breeds are naturally more energetic and athletic than others, and if you adopt the right dog, you’ll have a healthy, active friend for years.
To help you make your decision, we’re about to outline some of the most fit-motivated dogs and show you why they’re special.
Labrador Retrievers
Chocolate, black, or golden – these dogs are full of energy and love to explore everything about the world. They are great swimmers and used to be used as gun dogs, retrieving waterfowl for their owners.
Labs need a lot of exercise to prevent them from gaining too much weight, so you should expect to be out and about at least once or twice every single day. Just make sure your pup is healthy and in good shape before heading too far out into the wild. You’ll have a ton of fun together.
Tibetan Terriers
Tibetan Terriers are small yet mighty, and love spending time outdoors. This small, unassuming dog might not seem like the perfect outdoor adventure partner at first, especially if you don’t know them well. That’d be a mistake!
Tibetan Terriers were initially kept in monasteries and were used to herd sheep. Their owners also took advantage of their athletic bodies to send them to find items that had fallen down the mountains. Over the generations, they’ve become primed for activity; they just happen to love spending time with humans when they get out.
Vizslas
The Vizsla is known for being a bird dog. These gorgeous creatures love to run, are very athletic, and have a great deal of energy. You just might find that you’re the one who has trouble keeping up!
Vizslas thrive in warmer weather, meaning they love the dog days of summer. If you live in a climate where it gets cold in the winter, you’ll need to make sure they have blankets, jackets, and a place to warm up regularly.
While originally bred as a hunting dog, the Hungarian Vizsla has become one of the most popular family pets in the United States. This is largely due to these dogs’ sweet demeanors and playful personalities. If you are in the market for a family dog that will be a great companion for both you and your children, read on for a few reasons to learn about Vizsla puppies.
Vizslas are great all-around family dogs. Their personalities work very well with small children, as they have the energy to run and play all day but are careful and gentle with their human playmates. And during warm weather, you and your children can have a blast when you take your Vizsla to a dog-friendly water area; these animals are born swimmers, and your kids will have the time of their lives splashing around with their pet.
Vizsla puppies are also fiercely loyal and intelligent, bonding readily and immediately with all members of your family as well as close friends. Once they form this connection, however, Vizslas will also become very protective. This means that you can trust that when your children and the dog are out in the backyard, your pet will protect them against any perceived threats, as the animal will do anything he can to keep his companions safe.
The intelligence and eager-to-please personality of this breed makes training much easier than with other dogs. As hunters and pointers, these dogs take naturally to training that relates to fetch and other outdoor games. And because these dogs respond best to gentle but authoritative leadership, you can use training as an opportunity to show your kids that learning and good behavior do not need to be enforced with harsh words or yelling.
Jack Russell Terriers
Also small, Jack Russell Terriers are full of energy. They’re likely to outrun you on any given day, and will gladly do so if given the chance. These terriers have strong instincts for hunting, so they like to sprint short distances versus running marathons. Keep them on leash when you aren’t in a secure place or at least until they’re well-trained to prevent escapees from making the dash.
Jack Russells are also extremely smart; you’ll have a lot of fun playing games. However, their sprinting nature means they aren’t great companions for runners who want to go the distance. Make sure you have the time and energy to give this pup lots of attention.
Australian Shepherds
The Australian Shepherd is – you guessed it – another herding dog. You can still find them working on ranches today. These dogs are incredibly smart, often able to learn and perform through obstacle courses better than any other breed.
Aussie Shepherds tend to be a little heavier, so they aren’t necessarily running companions in the sense of long distance marathons. Stick to shorter distances, Frisbee, and a good old-fashioned game of catch instead. These dogs adapt very well to family life and will be incredibly loyal companions.
Siberian Huskies
You’ve seen them run Alaskan dog sled races, so you know they’re incredibly strong, agile, and fast. Siberian Huskies usually average around 60 pounds and are well-suited for cold climates, outdoor adventures, and canine sports. They can run long distances with you, or hang out as you do a cross-country skiing route.
Siberians are free spirits. Make sure you are dedicated to your training routine and use a leash until you’re confident your pup will respond to your commands.
Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are similar to their Labrador counterparts in that they love their humans and have a ton of energy. This breed is brilliant and easily digests commands and tricks with very little effort, making them fun companions for outdoor adventures.
As for what to do with your Golden Retriever? You can enjoy swimming, light jogging, and hiking activities together. Just make sure you’re keeping your pup cool during the hot summer months as this breed’s double coat makes it easy for them to overheat.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Corgis seem to have a bad reputation because they are small and have super short legs. Don’t let looks deceive you. Behind that adorable exterior is enormous amounts of energy and an incredibly athletic body. These dogs love to be active and excel at short distance running, long games in the backyard, and frivolous playtime at the beach or park.
Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs may be enormous, but they’re lovable and good-natured and will love you for life. They’re sturdy and can even carry small packs on hikes if needed. Although they don’t have substantial endurance levels, they do still need regular activity to stay well.
One of the biggest benefits of a Bernese Mountain Dogs is that they’re also very easy to train and like to hang around their favorite humans. Take them on short hikes and have some fun.
Collies
While several different breeds fall into the “Collie” family, the truth remains that they’re all incredibly smart with vast amounts of stamina. Their herding instincts are strong (almost to a fault, as you’ll find when your Collie tries to herd your family or kids), and thus, they need a firm hand and good training to make good family pets.
That said, Collies are great, loving animals who are well-suited for longer adventures with humans who have more advanced skill levels. They’re also one of the most loyal dogs you’ll ever encounter.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are strong and muscular. You may be surprised to learn they were bred in the African bush to hunt lions, but it’s true! They do especially well in hot climates, are very dedicated creatures, and love to be active or work outside.
Ridgebacks make great companions for people who like to mountain bike or hike, especially in areas like Hawaii or the Southern United States. They’re willing companions no matter what the atmosphere.
Dalmatians
Did you ever wonder why cartoons and movies that feature fire departments usually feature Dalmatians? Believe it or not, back in the day these dogs were trained to run in front of horse-drawn fire fighting carriages to warn people to get out of the way.
Of course, job security has since dwindled. Now, they have the opportunity to prove just how good they are at being great companions instead. Expect a protective, loyal dog that excels over long distances whenever you head out. Don’t worry; they can keep up.
Don’t rush yourself to choose a dog. Do a little research and make sure you understand not only your own needs but that of the breeds you are considering. Choose correctly, and you’ll have a loyal, loving friend for life.