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All dogs, even the smallest ones, require daily exercise, but some have athleticism built into their genetics. They have a never-ending abundance of energy and require hours of daily exercise to burn it all off. If you are a lover of the outdoors and lead an athletic lifestyle, a high-energy dog is an ideal choice.
What makes these dogs so full of boundless energy? It usually comes down to what they were initially bred to do. While this energy can differ from dog to dog, some were born to run and will be unhealthy and unhappy if they can’t.
If you want an athletic and high-energy canine, check out our list of the 15 most athletic breeds.
The 15 Most Athletic Dog Breeds
1. Border Collie
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As one of the most well-known and widely used working dogs, the Border Collie was bred to herd sheep and other livestock on the Scottish borders. They are regarded as one of the most highly intelligent breeds in the world and are thus a breeze to train.
They learn commands incredibly fast and make excellent watchdogs. Being such intelligent and agile dogs, they also love games and activities that will mentally and physically stimulate them. Border Collies are still used today for herding, but their athleticism and high intellect are also used for narcotics and bomb detection, search and rescue, and guiding.
2. Siberian Husky
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These beautiful wolf-like dogs are well-known for their attractive coats and eyes but are also incredibly athletic. They are the most popular breed for sledding, as they are energetic and have incredible strength, stamina, endurance, and resistance to cold climates.
This sledding heritage means Huskies love to run, which can be challenging when exercising them on a leash. They will bolt when they are let off the leash, and learned commands are quickly forgotten. Walking Huskies with added weights and packs will assist in burning off excess energy, which they have an abundance of.
3. German Shepherd
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German Shepherds were originally bred as hunting dogs and thrive when given a specific task. Today, they are commonly used as guide dogs, in search-and-rescue operations, and as police dogs. Their high intellect, easy trainability, incredible agility, and famous athleticism make them one of the most versatile and adaptable breeds.
German Shepherds are energetic dogs that aren’t suitable for owners who prefer to stay indoors. They are a popular breed for agility competitions, and their intellect, strength, and innate desire to please make them a common winner.
4. Greyhound
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The Greyhound is the fastest dog on the planet, reaching speeds above 40 mph. However, they enjoy their downtime and love to lounge as much as they love to run. Greyhounds were traditionally used as racing dogs for sport, though the practice has been mostly banned worldwide.
They are also one of the oldest dog breeds, and their likeness appears in Egyptian tombs dating as far back as 5,000 BCE. They are slender, strong, and streamlined dogs, seemingly designed for running.
5. Labrador
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The Labrador Retriever is one of the most well-known and popular breeds of family dogs in the world. This is due to their calm and gentle temperament and their high level of trustworthiness around children. In addition to this, the combination of agility, intelligence, and ease of training makes them the ideal dog for athletes.
They excel at dog sports like tracking and obedience, love to swim with their webbed feet, and are commonly used as guide dogs and in search-and-rescue operations.
6. Jack Russell Terrier
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The Jack Russell Terrier’s small but strong, agile body was built for speed. They were bred for fox hunting in England and are lively, high-energy dogs with inexhaustible energy reserves. Don’t be fooled by their small size, as they are as athletic as any dogs twice their size.
Jack Russells are highly driven animals with a fearless streak at times, making leash training essential. They make great running and cycling partners, and you’ll struggle to keep up with them.
7. Boxer
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Boxers may seem like an unlikely choice when you think of the word “athletic,” but they are energetic and playful. They were developed to hunt large game, so they have high levels of stamina and endurance. They are also affectionate and friendly dogs and are popular family pets. Boxers have earned a reputation for being rather stubborn, making them a challenge to train.
8. Dalmatian
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The Dalmatian originated as a carriage dog in England in the 17th century, so they are well-suited to running long distances. This propensity for stamina and endurance makes them great running and cycling partners. Their athleticism made the Dalmatian a popular firehouse dog and is still strongly associated with the work today.
9. German Pointer
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Developed as a hunting dog in the late 19th century, the German Shorthaired Pointer has boundless energy levels. They are a versatile sporting breed used not only for hunting but also for their amazing retrieving abilities.
They earned their name from the distinctive pointing pose that they strike when their eye latches onto prey. They are also friendly and affectionate dogs that make great family pets.
10. Poodle
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Despite the Poodle’s image of being a pampered show dog, they are a highly athletic breed, traditionally used as hunting dogs. Their high intelligence and webbed feet made them ideal retrievers for waterfowl retrievals and duck hunting, not to mention their thick and water-resistant coat. Their long and agile legs give them a top speed of up to 20 mph, so their association with wealthy show dogs is only one side of this versatile breed.
11. Australian Cattle Dog
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Australian Cattle Dogs were initially bred for driving cattle across long expanses of rough terrain in the Australian outback, and consequently, they have tremendous stamina and endurance. They are strong, sturdy, and rugged animals that can hold their own in even the most challenging terrain. Australian Cattle Dogs are ideal for active owners and make great family pets, provided that they have space and get the required exercise.
12. Alaskan Malamute
Image Credit: Mohan Nannapaneni, Pixabay
The wolf-like Alaskan Malamutes were bred for their strength, endurance, and ability to cross long distances with heavy sleds. Consequently, these highly intelligent dogs require vast amounts of regular exercise to stay happy, so they are perfect for athletic owners. They form strong bonds with their owners and thus need plenty of companionship and regular exercise.
Alaskan Malamutes don’t do well in hot climates due to their thick coats.
13. Australian Shepherd
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Commonly known as the “Aussie,” the Australian Shepherd was originally developed for herding cattle on ranches in the United States. They are agile, intelligent, loyal, and hard-working and love nothing more than pleasing their owners. While they are well-known for herding, they are also excellent sporting dogs, commonly used in rodeos and agility competitions.
They also make fantastic family pets, provided they get enough exercise.
14. Rhodesian Ridgeback
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Originating in Southern Africa, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is named for the distinctive ridge of hair growing in the opposite direction down their back. Often referred to as the African Lion Hound, they have a gentle temperament despite their somewhat threatening presence and are highly intelligent and thus easy to train.
They are known for their agility and knack for jumping fences, but they don’t make the best guard dogs because they aren’t very vocal.
15. Vizsla
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The Vizsla originated in Hungary and was bred as a hunting dog. They are highly affectionate and commonly get attached to their owners, earning them the nickname “Velcro Vizsla.” Their hunting origins led them to develop this attached nature, as they were used as retrievers who rarely strayed from their owners.
Their origins also make them a high-energy breed with tremendous stamina, ideal as companions for runners, hikers, and cyclers.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—the 15 most athletic dog breeds. Some canines were bred for hunting, others for herding, but one thing that all of these dogs have in common is that they were bred for a specific purpose that requires a certain level of stamina, agility, or, in some cases, speed. If you’re looking for a dog that can participate in sporting activities with you, any of these canines is a good choice.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.
