By
Jenna Stregowski
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/jenna-stregowski-tsp-bio-page-300fa370d15f4fb1ae407340bb7ea3ae.png "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (1)")
Jenna Stregowski
Jenna Stregowski is the Pet Health and Behavior Editor for Daily Paws and The Spruce Pets. She's also a registered veterinary technician with over 20 years of expertise in the field of veterinary medicine.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Editorial Process
Updated on 03/13/21
:strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp06a920b9Dpc200_Medium_2584845-3bb645106de14e98b83acec86a679065.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (2)")
If you are a dog lover and a runner, then you might like the idea of having a canine running partner. Running with a dog can be a lot of fun and a great way to bond with your pooch. For athletic breeds that have a lot of energy, a runner in the house might also be the right fit for a breed that requires a lot of exercise.
Here are the 10 best dog breeds that tend to enjoy frequent runs.
Tip
Take care when bringing your dog along on a run. Dogs often need water breaks, so bring water for your dog. Stop running and head home if your dog seems reluctant to run, has trouble breathing, acts pained, begins limping, seems overheated, or appears otherwise distressed.
Breed Characteristics
Many of the best canine runners are part of the sporting, herding,or terrier dog groups. Most of those breeds have been developed over generations for their athleticism and endurance. Somemixed-breed dogs are great runners as well, especially if they aremixed with one or more of the run-loving breeds.
01 of 10
Weimaraner
As members of the sporting group, Weimaraners are athletes by design. Their speed and endurance make them ideal running partners for both short and long distances. They can tolerate heat fairly well and enjoy lots of exercise. Weimaranersthat do not get enough exercise and training may even develop anxiety or behavior issues.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 24 to 26 inches
Weight: 70 to 85 pounds
Coat and Color: Strong-bodied, streamlined with a short, smooth mouse gray or silver-gray coat; strong head with dropped ears
See AlsoRunning with your puppy: how, when and the basicsThe Best Running Dogs: 8 Best Breeds For Running CompanionsThe Ultimate Guide to Safely Running with Your DogThe 20 Best Dog Breeds for RunnersLife Expectancy: 11 to 13 years
02 of 10
Vizsla
The vizsla is a hard-working hunting dog that thrives on exercise. This sporting group dog possessesexcellentendurance and speed. The vizsla can tolerate heat well and tends to stay very close to its owner. Some have nicknamed this breed "the Velcrodog." It is a great loyal companion and running buddy.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 22 to 23 inches
Weight: 45 to 50 pounds
Coat and Color: Russet-colored short, smooth, dense coat
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
03 of 10
Dalmatian
Although they are in the non-sporting group, Dalmatians are natural athletes that need lots of exercise to thrive. The history of this breed is not well-known, but Dalmatiansneed to stay active and keep busy. They were onceused as carriage or coach dogs that would run alongsidehorse-drawncarriages. They are also well-known as firehouse dogs. In the days before loud sirens, the dogs would run ahead of horse-drawn fire carriages, barking loudly to clear the path of bystanders.
Breed Overview
Group: Non-Sporting (AKC)
Height: 19 to 23 inches
Weight: 45 to 60 pounds
Coat and Color: Short and dense white coat with brown or black spots
Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years
04 of 10
Border Collie
The bordercollie is one of the most intelligent dog breeds. As a member of the herding group, this breed loves to move. Border collies are incrediblyagile dogs that can run fast for a long time. These dogs need to keep activeor they can become frustrated. Consider running with your border collie through somewhatdense, winding trails to add a bit of challenge. This breed can tolerate heat but does exceptionally well in cooler temperatures.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding (AKC)
Height: 18 to 22 inches
Weight: 28 to 48 pounds
Coat and Color: Rough or smooth medium-length double coat with a coarse outer coat and a soft undercoat that can be a solid color, bicolor, tricolor, merle, or sable
Life Expectancy: 10 to 17 years
Continue to 5 of 10 below
05 of 10
Australian Shepherd
Another intelligent memberof the herding group, the agile, athletic Aussie enjoys long, challenging runs. This breed craves mental and physical stimulation. Avoid long runs on sweltering days; they have longer coats best suited for cooler temperatures. Aussies are intelligent, loyal, and full of energy, making them great companions and running partners.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding (AKC)
Height: 18 to 23 inches
Weight: 40 to 65 pounds
Coat and Color: Medium to long coat in blue merle, red merle, black, or red
Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
06 of 10
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian ridgeback is a member of the hound group but often seems more like a sportingdog. This large, muscular dog was initially bred in Africa to hunt lions. Today, the breed has retained its athleticism and endurance.Most Rhodesian ridgebacks can handle somewhat long runs and warmer temperatures. Avoid running with this large dog breed until fully grown, usually around 2 years of age.
Breed Overview
Group: Hound (AKC)
Height: 25 to 26 inches
Weight: 65 to 90 pounds
Coat and Color: Light wheaten to red wheaten with a characteristic ridge of hair formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction of the rest of the coat
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
07 of 10
Siberian Husky
TheSiberian husky is a member of theworking group and was developed to haul sleds over long distancesin the snow. With seeminglyboundless energy, this breed loves to run. If you live in a cool climate, this dog can be your daily running partner. However, huskies are not suited for long runs in warmer weather.
Breed Overview
Group: Working (AKC)
Height: 21 to 23 inches
Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
Coat and Color: Dense, plush double coat ranging from black to white and other colors; brown or blue eyes or maybe one of each color
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
08 of 10
Terriers
Several small, energetic terriers enjoy long runs. These breeds are tenacious and can endure; they were bred to find and kill vermin and to join fox hunts.If you want a smaller dog as your runningpartner, consider aJack Russell, aParson Russell, arat terrier,ora wire fox terrier. If you prefer to run with a larger terrier, consider anAiredale terrier.
Continue to 9 of 10 below
09 of 10
Pointers
Several pointers love to exercise and have the strength, speed, and endurance to make excellent running partners. These breeds include the pointer,German shorthaired pointer, andGerman wirehaired pointer. These dogs tend to do well in warm and cool temperatures and enjoy long-distance runs.
10 of 10
Sighthounds
If shorter, fast-paced runs are your thing, then a sighthound—namely, the greyhound, whippet, borzoi, saluki,Scottish deerhound, and sloughi—may be the perfect running companion for you. Their streamlined bodies are perfectly designed for sprinting, and they love it. However, most sighthounds are ultimately more like couch potatoes thanathletes. In general, sighthounds have very little fat and do not tolerate cold temperatures well.
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-174476460-1fe18738231e45b88a912b4190992a2a.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (3)")
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-1043281680-9381489be393408e862474232745631c.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (4)")
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-75402977-06b05ff138c9495cafbeb27cca934742.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (5)")
:strip_icc()/breed_profile_collie_1117942_recirc_047-70e7d6eb59d940d7bc7f86f7c8406076.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (6)")
:strip_icc()/breed_profile_australiansheperd_1117935_recirc_510-f3c32099ccfe40f3a190fd17ad729fc6.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (7)")
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-543809756-dd48707730294718b6dafd608394f931.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (8)")
:strip_icc()/breed_profile_husky_1118000_hero_690-9d1e75ccbb034654afd8966460483c22.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (9)")
:strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp06a920b9Dpc200_Medium_1386686-18870dd268824306b8ef63bb0f63dd8a.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (10)")
:strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp06a920b9Dpc200_Medium_2584845-fcb54b22bd1849f8a8d631e19fbc1fc7.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (11)")
:strip_icc()/breed_profile_greyhound_1117972_recirc_2290-9543f6447c00434e832c9176e66b0a49.jpg "10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners (12)")
Breeds to Avoid
Puppies of all breeds should not go on regular, routine runs or long runs. Generally, it would be best if you didn't start running with apuppybefore 6 months of age; any earlier, and you could risk affecting its growing joints and muscles.
Manyhigh-energy dogs such as boxers or pit bulls can make excellent running partners but do not tolerate frequent runs well. Pit bull–type terriers such as American Staffordshire terriers,bull terriers, andStaffordshire bull terriershave a lot of energy but not much endurance or heat tolerance; they are suitable only for short runs in cooler weather.
Avoid running long distances with brachycephalic dogs (dogs with short snouts) such as bulldogs, pugs, or other breeds sensitive to heat. They can suffer fromexhaustion, overheating, and breathing issues. Although there are exceptions,giant dogs or other dogs prone to orthopedicproblems can experience joint pain and injuries if they frequently run long distances. Small, short-legged dogs such as dachshunds or corgis may have trouble keeping up and quickly tire on long runs.
15 Best Dogs for Hiking and Climbing
