Active dogs: the best breeds for running and hiking
Canicross, trail running, hiking, cycling: these breeds have the stamina and the drive to keep up with you. In return, they need one to two hours of activity a day, plus mental stimulation.
Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.
Refine with your own criteria-

Australian Shepherd
Western United States · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Belgian Malinois
Belgium · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Large · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Brittany
Brittany, France · Pointing dogs
Medium · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Border Collie
Anglo-Scottish border region · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Siberian Husky
United States · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Small Münsterländer
Germany · Pointing dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Jack Russell Terrier
Great Britain (developed in Australia) · Terriers
Small · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

English Springer Spaniel
England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

German Shorthaired Pointer
Germany · Pointing dogs
Large · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Belgian Tervuren
Belgium · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Large · boundless energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Weimaraner
Weimar, Germany · Pointing dogs
Large · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Dutch Shepherd
Netherlands · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Medium · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

German Wirehaired Pointer
Germany · Pointing dogs
Large · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

English Pointer
Great Britain · Pointing dogs
Large · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Dalmatian
Dalmatia, Croatia · Scent hounds
Medium · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

German Hunting Terrier
Germany · Terriers
Small · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

German Spaniel
Germany · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Irish Setter
Ireland · Pointing dogs
Large · boundless energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Nova Scotia, Canada · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Belgian Groenendael
Belgium · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Large · boundless energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Parson Russell Terrier
Great Britain · Terriers
Small · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Pyrenean Sheepdog (Long-haired)
France · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Wire Fox Terrier
England · Terriers
Small · boundless energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Australian Cattle Dog
Australia · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Medium · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone