Best Dog Breeds for Hiking

Guide overview

Find dog breeds that often make strong hiking companions, with notes on stamina, trainability, and all-day outdoor energy.

These picks favor breeds with stronger stamina, working drive, and exercise profiles that tend to suit long active outings.

Who this guide helps

Use this page when these are the tradeoffs you care about most.

What to compare before you choose

• Trail ability is not just speed; look at endurance, off-switch at home, recall potential, and how much conditioning the breed needs.
• Some breeds are physically capable but mentally demanding, so compare drive and handler focus as much as raw energy.
• Think about weather tolerance, coat upkeep, and whether you want a dog for regular hikes or truly intense outdoor schedules.

Featured breeds

Australian Shepherd

Herding • United States • Medium size

40–65 lbs • 12–15 years

Border Collie

Herding • Scotland • Medium size

30–55 lbs • 12–15 years

Vizsla

Sporting • Hungary • Medium size

44–60 lbs • 12–14 years

German Short-haired Pointer

sporting • Germany • Medium size

45–70 lbs • 12–14 years

Brittany Spaniel

Sporting • France • Medium size

30–40 lbs • 12–14 years

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Hound • South Africa • Large size

70–85 lbs • 10–12 years

Weimaraner

Sporting • Germany • Large size

55–90 lbs • 10–13 years

Belgian Malinois

herding • Belgium • Medium size

40–80 lbs • 12–14 years

English Springer Spaniel

sporting • England • Medium size

40–50 lbs • 12–14 years

Siberian Husky

Working • Russia • Large size

35–60 lbs • 12–15 years

Kelpie

Herding • Australia • Medium size

30–45 lbs • 10–13 years

Appenzeller

Working • Switzerland • Medium size

48–70 lbs • 12–14 years

German Wirehaired Pointer

sporting • Germany • Large size

50–70 lbs • 12–14 years

Irish Setter

Sporting • Ireland • Large size

60–70 lbs • 12–15 years

Jack Russell Terrier

Terrier • England • Small size

13–17 lbs • 13–16 years

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

sporting • Canada • Medium size

35–50 lbs • 12–14 years

Pointer

sporting • England • Large size

45–75 lbs • 12–17 years

Catahoula Leopard Dog

United States • Large size

50–95 lbs • 10–14 years

References

Reference links below include the breed pages featured here, along with kennel-club directories and standards where available.

1. American Kennel Club breed directory
   American Kennel Club
2. Royal Kennel Club breeds A-Z
   The Royal Kennel Club
3. Royal Kennel Club breed standards
   The Royal Kennel Club
4. Australian Shepherd — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
5. Australian Shepherd — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
6. Australian Shepherd — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
   The Royal Kennel Club
7. Border Collie — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
8. Border Collie — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
9. Border Collie — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
   The Royal Kennel Club
10. Vizsla — American Kennel Club breed profile
    American Kennel Club
11. German Short-haired Pointer — American Kennel Club breed profile
    American Kennel Club
12. German Short-haired Pointer — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
    The Royal Kennel Club
13. German Short-haired Pointer — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
    The Royal Kennel Club

Frequently asked questions