12 Best Dogs for Running — our top picks
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized — able to hold a pace for distance without overheating. 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 large-sized — able to hold a pace for distance without overheating. 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 large-sized — able to hold a pace for distance without overheating. 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, very high energy and large-sized. 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.
Dalmatian
Dalmatian: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized. Iconic spotted breed with high energy and endurance. Originally bred to run alongside carriages. Worth knowing before you commit: the Dalmatian sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Irish Setter
Irish Setter: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized. Beautiful red coat and exuberant personality. Athletic and energetic with a playful, sometimes mischievous nature. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Irish Setter needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Flat-Coated Retriever
Flat-Coated Retriever: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized. The "Peter Pan" of retrievers - playful and young at heart. Athletic with beautiful flat coat and optimistic nature. Worth knowing before you commit: the Flat-Coated Retriever sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Belgian Tervuren
Belgian Tervuren: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized. 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 large-sized. 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.
Labradoodle
Labradoodle: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized. Labrador Retriever and Poodle cross bred for service work. Intelligent and friendly with variable coat. Worth knowing before you commit: the Labradoodle needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Irish Doodle
Irish Doodle: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized. Irish Setter and Poodle cross combining beauty with intelligence. Athletic and friendly family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Irish Doodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Huskydoodle
Huskydoodle: very high athleticism, very high energy and large-sized. 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.
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 runners
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a popular choice, but very low athleticism and low energy put it at odds with runners.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a popular choice, but very low athleticism and low energy put it at odds with runners. 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 runners. 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 running?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks as the top choice for runners, followed by the Belgian Malinois and Weimaraner.
- How was this list of dogs for runners chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for runners — 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 runners?
- The French Bulldog, The English Bulldog, The Basset Hound all rank near the bottom for runners despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.