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two brown and white dogs in a field outside
two brown and white dogs in a field outside
Photo by Camilo Fierro from Unsplash
Culture > Entertainment

Let’s Talk About Dogs: Best Breeds For Active Lifestyles

Devan Colby
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter.

For many, one of the perks of dog ownership is the motivation to be more physically active. If there’s ever a day when you’re struggling to get yourself up and at it, your dog will be more than happy to pull you out the door and get you moving. Not only do dogs enjoy walks, but certain breeds are the perfect companions for long runs, hikes, or cycling. 

So if you’re a fitness enthusiast, you’re in luck— there are many dogs that will match your energy. And in a city as active as Boston, owning such a dog isn’t out of the question. For anyone looking for a dog who doubles as a workout buddy, here’s a list of the best breeds for active lifestyles.

 The Border Collie

A well-known workaholic of the dog world, the border collie can’t stop, won’t stop. This breed is very playful and very energetic (almost to a fault), so they’ll need more than just a brief walk or some time in the yard. In fact, collies were bred to intelligently complete a variety of herding tasks, so these dogs are happiest when given a job. Canine sports such as obedience, agility, flying disc, and flyball are great ways to stimulate this breed both mentally and physically. It should also be noted that although collies are very affectionate, they have a tendency to try to herd animals and small children, so they should be trained and watched carefully.

The Dalmatian

These sleek, fashionable dogs may be best known as the main characters of 101 Dalmatians, or as a fireman’s best friend. In fact, this stereotype is based in reality, as Dalmatians were originally bred to guard and run alongside carriages (such as those once driven by firefighters). Therefore, it should come as no surprise that these dogs are quite energetic. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), “They are strong, active athletes with great stamina; a wonderful partner for runners and hikers.” Be warned though: these dogs need good training and an outlet for their energy in order to avoid becoming destructive around the house.

The Vizsla

If the dalmatian sounds right for you, but spots aren’t your thing, consider the vizsla! Admittedly, I’d never heard of this breed before I began my research for this article, but it turns out that they may be the perfect companion for a fitness buff. They’re quite friendly and very adaptable. And, similar to dalmatians, “they are eager and graceful trotters of great stamina, making them ideal jogging or biking companions,” according to the AKC. However, the AKC warns that these intelligent animals must be trained properly, otherwise, they may become manipulative, and their curious natures can get them into trouble.

 The Doberman Pinscher

Though these tough-looking dogs have a bad reputation and are commonly pictured alongside villains in children’s movies, they’re actually very good with people and affectionate towards their families. In real life, these dogs are more often seen in heroic roles. The AKC notes that “Dobermans have excelled at police and military K-9 duty, as therapy dogs and service dogs for the disabled, as search-and-rescuers, and in competitive dog sports.” These versatile and trainable pups make great exercise partners, and the fact that they require next-to-no grooming is an added bonus.

The German Shorthaired Pointer

German shorthaired pointers are tied with vizslas for the position of “friendliest dog on this list.” They’re all-around affectionate dogs that are always down for some playtime with their humans. This is also the only breed on this list known to not only be great hiking and running companions, but also excellent swimmers. It should be noted, though, that these all-terrain canines were bred for hunting, and they retain their strong prey drive and need for mental stimulation. This means that, like the other breeds on this list, they need to be well-trained from a young age, lest they become difficult to live with.

This list includes just a few of the best breeds for athletes and nature-lovers. There’s a wide variety of dogs out there that fulfill an equally wide variety of needs. If none of these particular pooches struck your fancy, then keep looking! And remember that shelter dogs are always an option.

At the end of the day, you’d be hard-pressed to find a dog that doesn’t want to spend some quality time with you in the great outdoors. 

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Devan Colby is the senior editor and writing director at the Her Campus at BU chapter. She oversees all articles that the chapter publishes on the site, and occasionally writes some of her own. Outside of Her Campus, Devan is also a feature writer for The Daily Free Press, the independent student newspaper at Boston University. She has also interned with her local Nexstar-owned TV news station as a member of their digital team, where she helped produce content for the station's corresponding website. She is currently a junior at Boston University majoring in both journalism and political science. Writing is Devan's main pastime, and even when not working for a publication, she loves to write creatively. She is also a hobbyist visual artist with an interest in photojournalism. When she's not creating, she can be found going for runs around the city with friends or fawning over her quartet of houseplants.