12 Best Dogs for Hiking & Outdoor Adventures — our top picks
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer: very high athleticism, very high energy and very high trainability — sure-footed over long days out and reliable off-leash once trained. Versatile, athletic hunting dog that excels at pointing, retrieving, and tracking. Known for boundless energy and strong work ethic. Worth knowing before you commit: the German Shorthaired Pointer needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois: very high athleticism, very high energy and very high trainability — sure-footed over long days out and reliable off-leash once trained. Elite working dog with intense drive and athleticism. Preferred breed for military and police special operations. Worth knowing before you commit: the Belgian Malinois needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Weimaraner
Weimaraner: very high athleticism, very high energy and high trainability — sure-footed over long days out and reliable off-leash once trained. The "Gray Ghost" - sleek, athletic hunting dog with striking silver-gray coat. Intelligent and energetic with strong hunting instincts. Worth knowing before you commit: the Weimaraner needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamute: very high athleticism and very high energy. Arctic sled dog built for endurance and strength. Independent, friendly, and excellent cold-weather companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Alaskan Malamute needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Belgian Tervuren
Belgian Tervuren: very high athleticism, very high energy and very high trainability. Elegant Belgian Shepherd with long coat. Intelligent and energetic herding dog with strong work ethic. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Belgian Tervuren needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dog: very high athleticism, very high energy and medium trainability. Louisiana state dog with striking coat patterns and glass eyes. Versatile working dog bred for herding wild hogs. Worth knowing before you commit: the Catahoula Leopard Dog needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Huskydoodle
Huskydoodle: very high athleticism, very high energy and medium trainability. Siberian Husky and Poodle cross combining arctic stamina with intelligence. High energy companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Huskydoodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Weimardoodle
Weimardoodle: very high athleticism, very high energy and high trainability. Weimaraner and Poodle cross creating athletic hunting companion with reduced shedding. High energy and intelligence. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Weimardoodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd: very high athleticism, very high energy and very high trainability. Versatile herding dog with striking coat patterns. Intelligent and energetic working companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Australian Shepherd needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Husky: very high athleticism and very high energy. Medium-sized Arctic sled dog with striking appearance. Energetic, friendly, and excellent endurance athlete. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Siberian Husky needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Border Collie
Border Collie: very high athleticism, very high energy and very high trainability. Supreme herding dog with intense work drive and intelligence. Often considered the most intelligent dog breed. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Border Collie needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dog: very high athleticism, very high energy and high trainability. Tough cattle herding dog with incredible endurance. Extremely athletic and intelligent working breed. Worth knowing before you commit: the Australian Cattle Dog needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking based on your own answers.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for hikers and outdoor adventurers
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a popular choice, but very low athleticism and low energy put it at odds with hikers and outdoor adventurers.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a popular choice, but very low athleticism and low energy put it at odds with hikers and outdoor adventurers. On top of that, the English Bulldog is stubborn enough that first-time owners often struggle.
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a popular choice, but low athleticism and low energy put it at odds with hikers and outdoor adventurers. On top of that, the Basset Hound is stubborn enough that first-time owners often struggle.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the best dog breed for hiking?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks as the top choice for hikers and outdoor adventurers, followed by the Belgian Malinois and Weimaraner.
- How was this list of dogs for hikers and outdoor adventurers chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for hikers and outdoor adventurers — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for hikers and outdoor adventurers?
- The French Bulldog, The English Bulldog, The Basset Hound all rank near the bottom for hikers and outdoor adventurers despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.