Three dogs of various breeds walking and playing in a park, with the text '10 BEST BREEDS FOR WALK & HIKE LOVERS' overlayed.

What Dogs Are Best for Walking and Hiking? 12 Breeds You'll Love

Many dog owners are active and need dog companions that they can take with them on trips. When choosing a hiking partner, both personality and physical traits are important things to think about. Due to their strong bodies, some dog breeds are better suited to long days spent outside. No matter what the weather is like, you can walk with one of these dogs.

These dog types are ideal if you want a dog that loves to walk around and discover new places. Remember to pack the right things to make sure that both you and your dog are safe and comfortable.

1. Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dog, dog breed, pet, canine, portrait

Bernese Mountain Dogs are huge, trainable monsters that are powerful and tough. These dogs love to go on adventures and do best in cooler weather. Their loving personalities and gentle nature make them excellent hiking friends. To give their personality a stylish touch, use some cool walking kits that match with their accessories.

They do well in cold places because their double coat is thick and protects them from the weather. Bernese Mountain Dogs are friendly, loyal pets that love to go for walks in beautiful as well as extreme weather with their owners.

2. Vizsla

As hunting and other outdoor dogs, vizslas are graceful, lively, and loving pets. They are excellent at fast-paced sports like hiking and running because they are very fit and have a lot of energy. 

Their friendly nature and eagerness to please foster strong bonds with their owners, making them excellent hiking companions. Their short, easy-to-care fur coat helps them do well in warm places. Because Vizslas love to play and find new things to learn, they do best with people who are active.

3. Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky, dog breed, pet, canine, snow, winter, portrait

Siberian Huskies are unique among dog breeds due to their affinity for the outdoors and exceptional strength. Because their ancestors were sled dogs, they have strong steps, especially in colder areas. Due to their double coat, which keeps them warm in cold and wet weather, they make excellent camping partners in the winter. 

With regular training, they build strong bonds and become reliable outdoor friends, even though they like to be alone sometimes. They are cheerful and active, which makes every trip more exciting, which is why people who like to go on adventures in cold weather love them.

4. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd, dog breed, pet, canine, blue merle, outdoor, grass, lake

Australian Shepherds are smart, active, and hard-working dogs that love being outside. Their herding experience has enhanced their speed and endurance, making them excellent companions for running and hiking. They learn quickly and are naturally interested in new things, so you can enjoy your walks with them without any problems. 

Because their fur is middle length and weatherproof, they may be able to do well in many different environments. Australian Shepherds are friendly and loyal dogs that do well in busy homes and form strong bonds with their people owners through shared experiences.

5. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are strong and tough dogs that have a long history of carrying heavy loads in cold and hilly places. They are best at long, hard hikes, and they do best in hilly or snowy places. They are ideal for winter trips because their double coat is strong and keeps them warm in cold weather. 

Malamutes are friendly dogs that love being outside with their families. They are loyal and strong, and they make excellent hiking partners, but they need regular training to keep their natural freedom in check.

6. Jack Russell Terrier

dog, pet, canine, brown, white, floppy ears, wagging tail, field, grass, toys, happy, playful

Jack Russell Terriers are small and active dogs that are very quick and full of life. Their small size doesn't make them up to the difficulties of shorter hikes or rougher terrain. Their brave and curious personalities are sure to make any outdoor journey more fun.

Because they learn quickly and are simple to train, they make excellent pets. Because they are small, they are simple to move around, and their energy makes any outdoor trip fun.

7. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are friendly, active, and flexible, making them the best outdoor dogs. They are very strong, and they love walks and open spaces. Originally bred for game retrieval, they also make excellent pets. Because they are easygoing, they are friendly and willing to help walkers of all skill levels. 

Labrador retrievers are smart, sensitive, and quick to learn, so they make excellent trail dogs. Because they have a short, waterproof coat, they can live in a variety of situations and don't need much care.

8. German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer, dog breed, pet, canine, brown, white, spotted coat, snow, winter, alert


The German Shorthaired Pointer breed of dog is healthy, smart, and active. Due to their hunting heritage, the German Shorthaired Pointer breed excels in navigation and enjoys being active and exploring the vast outdoors. 

Their eagerness to please and their ability to learn quickly make them easy to train, and they will happily go for walks with you. Their short, smooth coat doesn't need much care, so they do well in warm places. This shoe's flexibility and durability make it ideal for trail runners and adventurers.

9. Portuguese Water Dog

Labradoodle, puppy, dog, pet, canine, brown, white, bed, cozy, cute

Portuguese Water Dogs have a long history of being eager and brave fishing dogs. When they do physical activities like running and hiking, it brings out their brains and skill. They can live in a lot of different environments because their hair is curly, waterproof, and doesn't shed much. 

They have close relationships with their families and love talking to other people. They are friendly and loving. This breed is ideal for families or people who like to be active and spend time outside, as they thrive on mental and physical stimulation.

10. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgeback, dog breed, pet, canine, brown, ridgeback, alert, standing

Africans created the Rhodesian Ridgeback so they could catch big game. It is a smart and athletic breed. Because they are strong and have a lot of stamina, they are ideal for running and hiking. They are protective and friendly with family and friends but shy around strangers. 

They have a short, smooth coat that is ideal for warm places and doesn't need much care. If you train them properly, they can become loyal and dependable pets for active families or individuals; they thrive when left to their own ways.

11. Weimaraner

A young Weimaraner dog standing alertly in a wooded area, looking to the side.

Weimaraner dogs are strong and beautiful, and they have a long history of hunting and other outdoor activities. They are ideal for outdoor sports like running and hiking because they want to be active on their own. 

Their hearts are full of love and devotion, and they want to please everyone. They do best in warm places and have short coats that don't need much care. Weimaraners are excellent dogs to play with outside because they are intelligent and love training and mental tasks.

12. Border Collie

A blue merle Border Collie dog standing on a sandy path with tall grass in the background.

Border Collies are intelligent and energetic dogs, renowned for their ability to form cohesive groups. Because they are powerful and quick, they are excellent at hard physical activities like running and climbing. They are willing to learn new things, pick up new skills quickly, and enjoy fixing problems. 

Their medium-length, weatherproof coat lets them go for activities outside in a range of temperatures. Border Collies make excellent pets because they are friendly and bond well with their owners. They do best in homes with lots of activity, which makes them ideal for people who want an active dog. 

Final Verdict

Running is beneficial for most dog types and can help them stay healthy. You can burn off some extra energy by going for a run with your dog. This is especially helpful for dogs that don't get enough exercise every day.

There are several things that affect how far a dog can run. One important thing to think about is the breed. Up there, we've listed some of the best running breeds. The list has a lot of current hunting dog breeds. Because they have been hunting for a long time, these dogs are very strong and active. This makes them ideal for races that require a high level of endurance and distance.

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