Let’s be real for a sec: there’s something spiritual about hiking with your dog. Just you, your furry adventure goblin, and the wilderness. You sweat through your clothes, they chase chipmunks, and at night, you both collapse into a tent like two creatures who absolutely did not stretch before doing 12 miles uphill.
But hey, not every dog is about that tent life. Some are like, “What is this nylon prison?” while others are like, “YES. NATURE. SQUIRRELS. VIBES.” If you’re planning to hit the trail and want a built-in cuddle buddy who also won’t freak out when a stick cracks at 2 AM, then this one’s for you.
Here are certain breeds that LOVE sleeping in tents on hikes — complete with wilderness vibes, weird history, and enough floof to keep your sleeping bag warm all night. Let’s gooo
Dog Breeds That Love Sleeping in Tents on Hikes
1. Australian Shepherd
First up, we’ve got the Australian Shepherd. These dogs are basically outdoor influencers in fur form. Always ready for a trail, always doing something useful, and somehow have more energy than you after four shots of espresso.
Aussies are herding dogs, which means they low-key think it’s their job to make sure you don’t wander off trail. They’ll follow you, circle back, give you a look like “Seriously? Again with the wrong turn?” — and then sleep like angels in your tent when the day’s done.
Bonus: they love curling up in a tight little donut shape that fits perfectly at your feet.
They have an insane aerobic capacity — they’re built for stamina, not just speed, so long treks with changing elevation are a dream come true for them. Historically, though, their name is a bit of a misdirect.
They’re not actually Australian. Nope. They were developed in the U.S. and got their name from the Basque shepherds who brought Aussie dogs over. It’s giving a global citizen.
Fun fact: many Australian Shepherds have these stunning, witchy eyes that are two different colors — a condition called heterochromia. Honestly, they look like they’ve just stepped out of a fantasy novel. From a scientific angle,
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
Going on a hiking trip with a Berner is like walking with a bear who just wants to love you.
They’re built for the mountains — literally — with thick coats, sturdy bodies, and giant paws that make snow look like fluff. WebMD mentions that these dogs are calm, cuddly, and very into being wherever you are, especially if where you are involves a soft sleeping bag and snacks.
Despite being over 100 pounds of pure muscle and fur ( and dorable pup’s paws), Berners are total softies. They love sticking close to their humans, and their thick coats make them perfect for chilly nights in a tent. Don’t be surprised if they lean on you like a furry weighted blanket.
And in case you didn’t know, back in Switzerland, these dogs were used to pull carts full of dairy products. Cheese delivery? We love a dog with a snack-based job.
Fun fact: their coats are actually water-resistant, so even if they take a quick dip in a stream, they’ll dry faster than your socks. Science-wise, they’ve got strong hindquarters and broad chests, making them ideal for carrying gear in a dog pack. It’s like having a very affectionate, four-legged Sherpa.
3. Border Collie
Enter the Border Collie — the Albert Einstein of the dog world. These dogs are so smart, they’ll probably figure out how to pitch the tent before you do.
They love mental stimulation, physical challenges, and watching you struggle to assemble your camp stove with silent judgment.
But despite their intellectual superiority, they’re also incredibly loyal, and once the sun goes down, they’re all about snuggling in close and recharging for the next adventure.
What makes them so good at this? Border Collies have extremely high neural plasticity, which is basically a fancy way of saying their brains are made of problem-solving magic. They can learn new commands almost instantly and can remember them forever, like little hairy computers.
BUT, don’t trust them too much. Actually, keep a good check on the unleashed dogs so they don’t get too adventurous!
And when it comes to their history, these dogs go waaay back. They were the go-to herding dogs along the border of England and Scotland (hence the name), and even Queen Victoria was a huge fan.
4. Siberian Huskies
Let’s talk Siberian Huskies. These dogs were literally bred for harsh, snowy environments, so a chilly night in the woods is basically a cozy sleepover to them.
Huskies are vocal, dramatic, full of personality, and built like Olympic athletes. They’ll absolutely howl at the moon, try to dig through your tent floor, and then fall asleep next to you like it was all just a dream.
The best part? They are pack dogs, which means they LOVE being close to their humans. Your tent = their den. They have a dense double coat that insulates them in even the coldest temps, and they curl up into these perfect fuzzy cinnamon rolls that make them ideal living space heaters.
Biologically, they’re built for endurance and can travel long distances without getting tired, thanks to their super-efficient metabolisms.
Remember Balto? The sled dog who helped save Nome from a diphtheria outbreak in 1925? Yeah, that was a Siberian Husky. These dogs don’t just survive in tough conditions — they thrive. And they’ll gladly take your spot in the tent if you let them.
5. German Shorthaired Pointer
Now let’s talk about the German Shorthaired Pointer, the dog who somehow has both elite athlete energy and golden retriever cuddle vibes.
These dogs are the definition of “go hard or go home.” They’ll sprint through the forest, dive into every lake, scale a rock just because it’s there, and then at the end of the day, they’ll plop down in your tent like an exhausted toddler.
PetMD says they are energy monsters with lean bodies!
With their lean bodies, long legs, and wild stamina, GSPs are built for high-energy adventures. But they’re also super affectionate. They want to be wherever you are — whether that’s halfway up a hill or wrapped in a sleeping bag. Fun science fact: this dog’s feet have webbed toes.
Literally built-in flippers.
Which means they’re excellent swimmers and incredibly agile on rough terrain. Historically, they were bred in 19th-century Germany as versatile hunting dogs — tracking, pointing, and retrieving like absolute legends. But now? They’re here to help you find the trailhead and hog the good corner of the tent.
6. Poodles
Okay, don’t laugh — but Poodles are actually outdoor pros.
No, seriously.
Standard Poodles (not the teacup ones your aunt carries in her purse) were originally hunting dogs. They’re super athletic, love the water, and — bonus — they’re hypoallergenic, so you won’t wake up in your tent sneezing like you slept in a pollen cloud. Plus, they’re smarter than most of your friends.
That iconic “fancy” haircut? It was originally designed for function. Hunters would shave parts of their bodies to help them move faster in water, but leave puffs around their joints for warmth.
Literally fashion and function.
They’ve got strong lungs, great endurance, and the kind of obedient streak that makes them perfect trail dogs.
Just keep the dog warm when it gets too cold outside! Pack some jackets that will keep the dog safe even in freezing weather.
And despite the French stereotype, the word “Poodle” actually comes from the German “Pudel,” which means “to splash.” So yes, your glam dog was made to jump in muddy rivers and still look like they belongs on a runway.
7. Jack Russell Terrier
Let’s turn the chaos up to 100 with the Jack Russell Terrier.
JRTs are tiny, explosive, and absolutely down for whatever trail you throw at them. But the second you unzip the tent? They’re curled up in a ball, dreaming about chasing chipmunks.
These pocket-sized lunatics can jump five feet in the air and somehow never seem to run out of energy. They’ve got a crazy strong prey drive, thanks to their fox-hunting heritage, and their compact bodies make them great for lightweight hiking situations.
Just make sure to pack the essentials in the dog backpack, including its favorite dog food!
Science-wise, they’ve got mostly fast-twitch muscle fibers, which explains the insane bursts of energy. If you love adventure, both you and it will make a great team.
Historically, they were bred by a British dude named Reverend John Russell to flush foxes out of their dens. So yeah — they come from a long line of certified adventurers.
8. Beagle
Now, let’s mellow things out with the Beagle. Beagles are the slow-and-steady trail buddies you never knew you needed.
They’re curious, chill, and walk with the energy of someone who just discovered a stick that looks like a lightsaber. And when is it time for bed? They burrow into your sleeping bag like little furry potatoes and don’t move all night.
The Beagle’s nose is their superpower, as per the AKC. With 300 million scent receptors (compared to our 5 million), they basically experience the world through a constant stream of invisible smells. They’ll sniff everything — trees, rocks, your socks — and then conk out like a baby.
When it gets too adventurous after smelling something ‘fun’, dog owners need to keep the dog leashed.
They were originally bred for rabbit hunting and have that classic “hound dog” nose-to-ground approach to life.
Also, fun fact: Snoopy from Peanuts is a Beagle. So yes, you’re
9. Labrador Retriever
And finally, the golden boy of the hiking world: the Labrador Retriever. Labs are the friendliest, floppiest, most tent-appropriate dog breed you could ever ask for.
Like most dogs, they love being around people, they’re super easy to train, and they’ll carry their own gear if you ask nicely (or bribe them with treats). They’ll splash in rivers, carry sticks bigger than their heads, and then sleep belly-up like goofballs at the end of a long day.
They are truly the biggest fans of outdoor activities.
Britannica mentions that Labs were originally bred in Newfoundland (not Labrador, confusingly) to help fishermen haul nets and retrieve fish.
So water?
Not a problem.
Cold?
Nope.
They’ve got solid lung capacity, muscular builds, and a chill attitude, when compared to other dog breeds, that makes them the ultimate hiking companion. You don’t have to do anything special to make the dog comfortable!
They’re not just man’s best friend — they’re your tentmate, trail buddy, snack stealer, and emotional support animal all in one.
Oh, and a well-trained dog is definitely the best breed to have in your adventures.
Conclusion
So there you have it: dogs who are absolutely down to crash in your tent, eat trail mix, and maybe steal your sleeping pad when you’re not looking. Whether you’re hiking in the Alps, going mountain biking, or camping in your backyard, these breeds bring the adventure, the cuddles, and the occasional snore.
Pick your favorite, grab a leash, and let the trail bonding begin. Nature’s better with paws on it — trust.
