Maybe you’re not the protagonist of an epic fantasy, but with an adventurous furry companion, your days can be filled with your own little expeditions.
Many dog breeds are amazing indoor pets for people who prefer home life. And then there are pups who love an active lifestyle and outdoor adventures. There’s nothing more satisfying than finding a pet that matches your personality and interests.
If you’re someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, these 9 breeds are perfect sidekicks that will make every moment worth it.
9 Dog Breeds that Like Adventures
1. Australian Shepherd
Some would say Aussies are built for adventures, especially hiking and trail running. Australian Shepherds, originally bred as herding dogs, are one of the most enduring and active breeds out there and are always ready for some kind of stimulation.
AKC states that Australian Shepherds and adventure are synonymous with this breed’s interesting origin story. The Basque shepherds brought their Pyrenean shepherds to Australia during the 1800s. These canines were crossbred with Collies and were later brought to California.
So, Aussies’ magical ranch life began as they were developed in Californian farms. These beautiful, medium-sized dogs cherish an outdoorsy lifestyle with their humans and provide a gentle but protective friendship.
2. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are working dogs bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia who used them as sled pulling dogs in the challenging arctic environment. Nothing says “adventure” more than a dog that is up for stretching its legs in tough weather conditions.
Sibes can take you on a whimsical adventure just with their elegant appearance. These wolf life pups have an adorable but knowing smile that warms your heart on the most trying days. Their beautiful, thick double coat helps them stay afoot whether it’s snowing or raining outdoors.
Sibes stand 20-24 inches tall with a standard weight range of 35-60 pounds. They’re great hiking companions as well as affectionate pets for people who can give them regular exercise.
Despite being resilient against the weather, Sibes are not fit for water-based adventures. Britannica suggests activities that involve “pulling” to keep them occupied (sledding, bikejoring, or skijoring).
3. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois are athletic dogs, but not without a playful streak. They make loyal companions as well as excellent hiking partners for active families and owners who are outdoor adventurers.
Mals are highly trainable, smart dogs developed to work hard and please their owners. They make adorable furry friends indoors, but when it’s time to embark on a new adventure, they’re your trustworthy sidekicks.
Mals have an agile build and grow up to 26 inches tall and 80 pounds heavy. They’re high-energy dogs and need a lot of physical and mental stimulation.
If you have left them off leash without proper training, they might run off to chase moving objects and small animals; blame it on the high prey drive.
4. Vizsla
Vizslas are medium-sized but powerfully built dogs that can keep up with any adventure you sign them up for. There’s no doubt that these hunting dogs are great outdoors, with their history of spending long days on the fields with their owners.
Vizslas are the ultimate buddies for taking outdoors on picnics, hiking, and trail running. Just picture their gold-rust coat under the sun as they wag their tail at you to show excitement. Their loving eyes and round ears make your days even more fun-filled and magical.
Vizslas can be 21-24 inches tall and weigh up to 60 pounds. They’ll enjoy some off-leash time daily, as well as on-leash daily walks and playtime.
5. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are sturdy dogs that make excellent companions for people who can’t tolerate a placid and sedentary life.
This canine’s name pretty much tells about its background, and one of its prominent features. This dog originated from Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe) and has a ridge on its back.
Adventure and thrill are in this dog’s bones as it was used in “lion hunting”. “They were bred to track and hold lions at bay for hunters, showcasing their bravery and endurance.
These dignified dogs are now cherished as family pets and can live happily with some moderate exercise while enjoying different activities with their pet parents. They’re a large breed with a height range of 24-27 inches and a weight up to 80 pounds.
6. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russel Terrier is a fun-loving dog breed all about exploring. Despite being small dogs, they can surprise you with their boundless energy as they run around, jump, and dig to keep off boredom.
Jackies are all about human interaction, which makes them amazing companions on trips. From walking side by side on hiking trips to cozying up next to you by the fire on camping trips, these pooches make every activity more splendid.
These adorable dogs get their energetic nature from their background. They were originally bred in the mid-1800s to help hunt foxes, which means being smart, active, and trainable had to be core traits. They weren’t fox-killers, per se; their job was to hassle foxes out of their dens.
These brave dogs come in a compact body under a gorgeous coat with tan marks. They aren’t any taller than 10-12 inches and weigh from 9-15 pounds. They are all about fun and games and make lovely pets once they’ve burned off their energy.
7. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired pointers are beautiful dogs with a spotted, smooth coat. Also called GPS and Kurzhaariger Deutscher, these canines are known for their energy and intelligence. GPS makes amazing companions for people who love long hikes and adventures in the wild.
GPS gets its amazing instincts to navigate nature due to its gun dog history. They were bred and used to hunting and retrieving game on land in in water. They don’t just have high stamina, but were developed to develop close bonds with humans and work closely with them.
GPS stands 21-25 inches tall with a weight range between 45-70 pounds. These canines need extensive daily training and exercise to satisfy their need for physical stimulation. Walking alone doesn’t cut it; add jogging, hiking, and playing fetch to their routine.
GPS are fantastic scent hounds; if they’re bored, they’ll follow any interesting smells and might wander off. Fenced yards are important to keep these pups happy and engaged. They also tend to have a strong prey drive, so if you have smaller pets at home, they might not be well-suited for your home.
8. Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are ideal furry companions for adventurous owners, especially those living in cold climates. They’re great for long walks and camping trips due to their enduring and outdoorsy nature.
These sled dogs can handle cold weather spectacularly due to their thick, waterproof double coat. They’re hard-working dogs who love to please their humans and thrive with active owners. Their mischievous but smiley faces will keep off any blues as you venture with only your pup in the wild.
Alaskans stand 22 to 27 inches tall and weigh from 75 to 85 pounds. With early obedience training and socialization, they become companions worth cherishing lifelong.
9. Border Collie
Border Collies are not just the most intelligent and loyal dogs; they’re one of the most adventurous and fun-loving breeds out there. Apart from physical activity, these pups also need mental stimulation and are paired best with experienced owners.
Border Collies are the ultimate adventure dogs with their connection with nature as farm dogs, and their high energy levels. These agile dogs will take confident and calculated steps by your side as you dive deep into the heart of the forest, or just go on long runs outdoors.
Collies can be 18-22 inches tall and weigh from 30-55 pounds. Their gorgeous thick coats come in different kinds of speckled patterns and colors. The view of these beautiful dogs with their tongues out and tails wagging excitedly alone can get you in an adventurous mood.
Conclusion
If you’ve decided which of these dogs will make your furry soulmate on your next adventure, talk to your local shelter or a reputable breeder. Make sure you know what health problems your woofer is prone to and what signs of fatigue to look out for.
