People think that they can take any dog for lakeside camping trips. Yes, they can, but only to ruin their tenting experience.
Every dog breed has its own physique, strength, and temperament, so not everyone loves outdoor adventures. Honestly, taking a lazy pup with short/no coat for hiking or sheltring is the WORST decision one could ever make.
Choose the muscular, thick-furred, and water-loving doggies so you can actually enjoy hiking, bonfires, and fishing. But wait… is choosing a camping dog this simple? Perhaps NO!
So we have listed the seven alert and strong dog breeds that are always ready for outdoor activities. Read the details to find your hiking and camping partner.
Note: Trips require a lot of safety (first-aid is a MUST), cooking, and tent essentials, both for you and your dog. Yes, it is boring, but save you from countless problems at the camping site.
Must‑Have Dog Breeds for Lakeside Camping Trips
1. Border Collie
Border Collie is an alert and intelligent dog breed with high energy levels. They are also known as “scotch sheep dogs” due to their history of being bred as herding dogs.
Collie is an athletic frame pup and easy to train, which makes it perfect for camping and hiking trips. Plus, they also have thick fur that allows them to swim and actually enjoy the adventure.
Border Collie is the smartest dog breed, as noted by Orvis.
They have a spunky personality and are always in search of mental stimulation. Honestly, they even start chewing furniture, exploring the dustbin, and creating a mess in kitcheen when free, so keep an eye on them.
This guard dog does need a crate on the camping site and likes to sleep behind you. But being a dog, Collie barks due to its innate protective instincts when someone passes by the tent. This may be a lack of training, but also beneficial if you are camping in a deserted forest.
2. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent, affectionate, and work-oriented dog breed. These medium-sized dogs are muscular and love outdoor activities, so your search for a camping dog ends here.
Aussies were bred as working dogs and have a high prey drive, so you can guess why they chase moving objects like cars, bikes, and other pets. Honestly, there is no need to worry about this because they learn and adapt very well.
These cute doggies have a friendly nature and are wary of strangers for obvious reasons. You can take a cowbell for this dog to play with and a light to spot them at night with you.
Apart from this, get a long leash of about 60 feet and a few treats so your dog can actually enjoy. Honestly, getting a small blanket and a tent is a perfect idea so the pup can relax a bit separately.
With that said, Aussies don’t really like rain falling on their mouth, so get goggles in case it rains. But before planning long trips, train and socialize them properly so they don’t get scared by sudden changes.
3. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese water dog is an energetic, alert, and affectionate dog breed. They were originally bred as working dogs for fisherman so they don’t mind walking miles until it’s not too hot.
These medium-sized PWD dogs prefer being off leash than leashed, so it’s no wonder that they stop walking and act like “let me walk”.
Portuguese water dog has webbed feet and a waterproof coat that allows them to swim easily, and honestly, they love being around pools. These high-energy dogs have a curly double coat that does not shed, so they are best for apartments and fur-allergic people.
“These are happy-go-lucky, nice dogs,” as reported by PetMD.
PWD has a friendly personality, but is not a cuddly buddy for first-time owners. They require a lot of training, mental stimulation, and attention, which is quite a task if you don’t really like it.
4. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is an easy-going dog breed that loves outdoor adventures. They are friendly with their owners, other dogs, and even strangers.
Labs are your shadows, and they follow you everywhere. They don’t like to be in a tent alone, so you can tie their long leash to a tree. These cute pups like to collect campfire sticks, so you have to train them a bit before planning a trip.
Honestly, they are all ready for long hikes with their muscular body and high energy. Labs are water dogs with a water-repellent coat. These medium sized dog tolerate heat until they are hydrated and drinking a lot of water.
Many people have shared that their Labrador loves swimming even in cold weather when there is 10 inches of snow on the ground.
But still it’s too cold, so don’t let them swim for too long. Labs are not excessive barkers, which is something you might appreciate at night.
5. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a devoted, active, and loyal dog breed. They are named Golden due to their “Yellow-Gold” fur, though they have different coat colors too.
They are super-friendly and love families, especially the kids. Golden Retrievers can be left alone for a maximum of 8 hours, but they tend to bark. These pups typically have high energy levels even when getting aged.
Golden Retriever also has water-repllent coat, and they love swimming too. So make sure to keep extra towels or dryers to dry up their fur.
These medium-sized pups shed a lot and require grooming every 6 months. Honestly, they are all good but often have joint problems, so get a complete vet checkup before taking them on long walks.
6. Newfoundland
Newfoundland is a gentle and sweet-tempered dog breed with webbed feet and a thick coat. Newfies love swimming, hiking (only short-distance), and camping, but they are most likely to “lie around the tent” dogs.
Their patient and affectionate nature makes them love kids. Newfies are a big dog breed, but they are perfect family pets if you have enough space at home.
They are generally black colored so don’t let them slide out of the tent at night because they are too hard to find then. And give them clean water to drink instead of lake water to protect them from bacterial or fungal diseases.
7. Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is also known as the American Cocker Spaniel and is the world’s most loved breed. It is famous due to its big eyes, long ears, and floor-length coat.
This sweet and happy breed is the smallest member of the sporting family, according to the AKC. Cocker can also swim, but make sure to keep a vest jacket for safety.
You also have to get a waterproof bed, comb/brush, and long leash so this little pup can actually enjoy the adventure. Honestly, we can say that they don’t travel lightly. Cocker does not require a lot of exercise, but daily brushing is a MUST.
Conclusion
You cannot take any dog breed on camping and hiking trips because not everyone is built for that. The above-mentioned dog breeds are physically strong enough to go for long walks and also have a thick coat to repel water.
Teaching the simple commands of “come” and “down” for easier campsite navigation to your puppy is beneficial. Honestly, an aggressive or excessively barking dog is not a good fit for lakeside camping. So choose the one that suits your lifestyle and keep the safety kit with you.
