It’s that time of the year again when your heart starts thumping for adventures in the wilderness and time in nature. Backpacking and camping are wonderful ways to unwind from the stress of an urban lifestyle and the daily humdrum of cities. If you’re a pet parent, you might be wondering if your dog can make the right companion for your outdoor adventures.
Dogs aren’t just good protectors or companions for long walks in parks; many breeds make wonderful hiking partners and companions in the wilderness. These dog breeds are often the ones with high energy levels and endurance they carry from either their herding or hunting backgrounds, and have strong instincts.
Having your loyal canine companion by your side when you’re camping gives you an emotional boost as well as helps you feel safer at night. If your doggo also has an alert nature, it’ll make sure to let you know when there’s a suspicious presence around.
If you’re all about enjoying the companionship of such a breed, go through our review of 9 amazing dog breeds that make wonderful backpacking and camping partners.
Energetic Dog Breeds Perfect for Backpacking and Camping
1. German Shorthaired Pointer
One look at the German Shorthaired Pointer and you’ll see a beautiful dog built for life in the wilderness. GSP was bred to be a hard-working breed and was used as a gundog, a role it thrived in due to its endurance and dedication. This breed is no stranger to staying confident and energetic in the outdoors.
GSP comes in a beautiful ticked coat, has droopy ears, and bright eyes that reflect its alert nature. Its short coat is easy to groom, which will make it easy to take care of during long camping trips. It’s important to remember that this high-energy breed is the right dog for owners with an active lifestyle who can give them enough daily exercise.
Whether you’re at home or backpacking, you’ll need to dedicate some daily time to giving this doggo its physical stimulation and avoid ignoring it. These dogs are intelligent, which makes them easier to train, and a well-trained GPS can become a wonderful partner for hiking and marathons.
2. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd is one of the most beautiful dog breeds that brings farm-life charm with its appearance and dedicated personality. Australian Shepherd was originally bred in the U.S. during the late 1800s as a herding breed and is believed to have a diverse ancestry, from British-developed dogs to dogs from the East and the Midwest, according to Britannica.
Aussies are intelligent and loyal doggos with a strong herding instinct; they will herd children and small animals if given the chance. They are familiar with the cowboy life, as they’ve been fixtures on rodeos; Aussies make wonderful companions for an off-grid and farm lifestyle. They are not just eager to please doggos; Aussies have sharp instincts to guard their homes.
The same traits make them companions worth bringing along on camping trips and backpacking. They can navigate any kind of environment with confidence; no wonder they’ve been used as search and rescue dogs. Aussies are highly energetic dogs that enjoy robust daily physical activity, which makes them superb hiking dogs for active owners.
3. Vizsla
Vizsla is a hunting breed that bonds closely with its owners and stays energetic and committed on the field for long periods of time. It’s one of the best dog breeds for people who love hiking and other outdoor adventures. These athletic dogs come in a smooth, gold-rust coat and a well-muscled body with an S-curve and strong legs.
Vizslas are all about a robust life and stretching their legs; they’re not well suited for apartments, but if you have a fenced yard to keep them, they’ll be overjoyed. Other than taking your dog on daily, long walks, if you’re spending a long day outdoors with lots of fun activities, a Vizsla will be your ideal partner.
Vizslas are pack animals and can live well with other dogs and children, but they need proper training as puppies to be able to do so. They’re also a better fit for a household with older and well-behaved children. Vizslas are “Velcro dogs” who become too attached to their humans and love to stay close to them; they will need proper attention to stay at their best behavior, according to PetMD.
4. Weimaraner
Having a Weimaraner by your side as you go backpacking is sure to make you feel safer. This “Gray Ghost” stands elegantly in its graceful gray coat, athletic build, piercing gaze, and a determination to fulfill its duties. Weimaraners are known for their friendly demeanor towards their humans and are one of the most loyal and obedient breeds.
Originally used as a dog for hunters, the Weimaraner makes a wonderful hiking companion due to its ability to stay fearless and high-spirited on the trail. Despite its ability to ace obedience training, the Weimaraner is a headstrong dog, as it has had to stay independent outdoors as a gundog.
This dog needs a lot of physical stimulation to stay happy; outdoor activities like hiking adventures are a great way of putting this doggo’s love for a robust life to use. If you are also taking other dogs along on your camping trip, make sure your Weimaraner has been given proper socialization training so it can get along well with the other pups.
Stay vigilant about this doggo’s prey drive when it’s on hiking trips with you; it might try to chase small animals unless it’s been properly trained. They do enjoy staying close to their humans and are prone to separation anxiety, according to Orvis.
5. Siberian Husky
There’s a huge chance that you know the Siberian Huskie as one of the most talkative dog breeds, if not from experience, then from Instagram reels. Though not huge barkers, Sibes are dogs known and loved for their different vocalizations. But there’s a lot more to be fascinated by in these gorgeous doggos.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and can’t stay put even during the coldest months, Siberian Huskies are dogs that will make great hiking buddies, as well as camping partners for you. These dogs were originally used to pull sleds in Siberia for the Chukchi people and are no strangers to journeying through rough terrain in harsh weather.
From long hikes to camping fun, Sibes won’t disappoint you with their amusing yet dedicated and fearless companionship. Siberian Husky is a breed covered by a thick coat and a wolf-like appearance, and they often have blue eyes that will steal your heart.
They are also dogs better suited for cold weather; if you’re taking them along on your exploration of nature during summer, make sure to keep them safe from overheating.
6. Portuguese Water Dog
Outdoor adventures aren’t all about hiking and cozying up by the fire at night while camping; if you’re planning on water-based activities while camping, bring along a water-friendly dog. The Portuguese Water Dog is one of those wonderful breeds with webbed feet and a thick coat that makes them the best partners for swimmers.
Portuguese Water Dog, or “Portie,” is a happy and reliable breed that was developed to help fishermen, according to the AKC. Historically, these dogs have helped Portuguese fishermen by herding fish and retrieving game. They are biddable and highly trainable dogs, which makes them perfect companions to keep with you as you spend time in nature.
These dogs need regular exercise and a lot of grooming of their thick, curly coats, whether you’re home or out camping. They’re a hypoallergenic breed, which makes them precious canines for people with allergies.
7. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the most companionable dogs known to mankind and are one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. They started as retrievers for hunters, and nowadays make one of the most loyal dog breeds for families, as well as companions for individual owners.
Labs are dogs with friendly faces and a dense, water-friendly coat that tends to shed and needs regular upkeep. These agile dogs enjoy staying active on the field, as well as excel at different dog sports like tracking, scent work, playing fetch, and trail running. Their athleticism and intelligence have earned them their place in police and military work, and search and rescue operations.
From living happily with their owners in urban areas to exploring nature while on camping and hiking adventures, Labs are built to stay active and loyal. As sociable dogs, they will adapt well to being around your family members as well as other dogs, if you’re going backpacking with family or friends.
8. Border Collie
Border Collies are the ultimate farm dogs and impeccable family dogs with a highly affectionate nature and ability to form strong bonds with their humans. These athletic dogs have worked tirelessly as herders, and their stamina and loyalty make them worthy of cherishing as hiking and camping partners.
These sheepdogs are one of the smartest dog breeds that learn quickly and can master cues and commands wonderfully. Their intelligence and agility make them handle tough terrain masterfully while they walk by your side. They are all about getting their job done, and won’t shy away from accompanying you through any type of trail.
These doggos come in two coat varieties: rough (medium in length), and smooth (shorter coat), according to the AKC. Both types of coats need regular grooming to keep them free of mats, dirt, and tangles. These pups also need regular exercise and can become bored and destructive if they’re left sedentary for long periods of time.
9. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgeback is a graceful and fearless breed with a sleek body and a distinct “ridge” (growth of hair across its back). This dog was used in Africa to help hunters by tracking large predators like lions, by “baying”.
Ridgebacks are dogs for experienced owners who know how to handle canines with strong prey drives and an independent nature. Once you’ve bonded with your Ridgeback, it’ll make sure to keep you safe throughout your backpacking adventure.
These doggos love their owners and prefer sticking close to them, whether they’re at home or outdoors. They’re great outdoors due to their endurance, but it’s better to keep them on a leash to keep them from chasing small animals.
Keep this dog in a yard, preferably a fenced one; it will keep it confined and help it stretch its legs. Other than hiking with you, your Rhodesian Ridgeback will enjoy doggo activities like agility, tracking, and running.
Conclusion
All these loyal dog breeds are wonderful for campers and backpackers who are all about an adventurous lifestyle. Make sure to learn about the breed you want to adopt; even individual dogs can have varying temperaments.
A dog’s adaptability and traits can also depend on its upbringing; make sure to adopt from a reputable breeder or a good rescue center.
