People often make the mistake of choosing a dog based only on appearance, without knowing anything about their new friend in advance - how well he will communicate with children and pets, what his character and habits are. Dogs have natural instincts for hunting, guarding or herding. The animal chosen must suit the owner's lifestyle in terms of placement, energy levels, required grooming and behavioral needs.
Dogs and active recreation or sports are a great combination. Looking for a sports partner or jogging companion? Maybe you love hiking and adventure? Some dogs are great long-distance trekking partners, while others prefer fast sprints. If you're really active, you need an endurance dog to keep you going.
Here are the 10 best active dog breeds for the energetic owner.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are known as the hardest working sled dogs. They are cheerful, adventurous, alert and independent. Their good qualities make them an excellent all-round dog, but their incredible stamina and mischievous nature require proper training, the right food and plenty of exercise in a well-fenced area.
Weimaraner
Prized for its speed, courage, intelligence and ability to hunt game. The Weimaraner or Weimar Pointer is a fun-loving breed known for its active participation in a variety of dog sports. They are easily recognized by their short, smooth gray coat. They love to run and hunt and can become upset if kept in a dog pen for too long. This breed is suitable for an owner who loves to be outdoors and wants to find a cheerful friend in a dog.
Sports training
A characteristic feature of the sports type of training, which distinguishes it from the service variety, is the fact that the dog must first have mastered a general course of obedience at the proper level. An alternative would be to take a course called Controlled City Dog.
For the majority of breeds, from hunting dogs to purely decorative ones, it is necessary to study general disciplines. The only exceptions are the smallest ones. Every dog living next to a person must master a basic set of commands and obey the owner. This requirement is especially relevant for those who live in urban areas, where it is difficult to distinguish between their own and someone else’s space.
The main areas of dog sports activity:
- Agility - high-speed overcoming of obstacles, allowing you to show agility and dexterity.
- Freestyle - dancing with a dog, combining obedience exercises with performing tricks to the accompaniment of music.
- Canicross is high-speed running with a dog pulling a person along rough terrain, and skijoring is the same discipline using skis.
- Flyball - catching balls or plates flying out of a special device at speed.
- Weight pulling is an athletic sports discipline for moving heavy objects.
- Coursing is a sports race in a field behind a mechanical hare at speed.
Sports disciplines for dogs have a wide variety, making it easy to choose a breed for a particular type of dog sport. Currently, the only restrictions that may arise are:
- for those breeds that have a short muzzle, such as pugs, bullmastiffs or bulldogs;
- for short-legged dogs such as dachshunds, corgis or basset hounds;
- for the largest breeds, such as Great Danes, wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards.
There are developments of a new competition system for dogs that have a specific physiological structure, taking into account their characteristics and allowing them to perform at the amateur level.
Professional competitions are not held for all dog breeds; there is a certain list of those allowed to participate in serious level competitions. Generally recognized members best suited for events are the Border Collie, Australian Kelpie and Heeler. They are capable of high speed, endowed with extreme agility and coordination of movements and are highly trainable. Another advantage is their constant readiness to train and enjoyment of work.
Pointer
Pointers are real hunting dogs - hardy, courageous, and very athletic. They are gentle and sociable, getting along with animals and people of all ages. Because of their energy, Pointers should exercise and run in a fenced area every day if possible. Even with good training, their instincts can come into play in open areas, where pointers may suddenly begin to chase birds or small game.
We also recommend reading:
Pet habits: what signals should you pay attention to? Top 7 Dogs That Are Great for Children Stubborn Personality: Dogs That Are Difficult to Train Ways to Correct Malocclusion in Puppies
Border Collie
Border Collies are incredibly intelligent and obedient, but if they are not given challenging tasks or exercised properly every day, they can become a domestic disaster. Borders will be reliable and loyal companions on daily walks, and they also need regular exercise. Border Collies are best suited to families with older children if there is room and opportunity to run around.
Australian Shepherd
Intelligent and adaptable, Australian Shepherds herd livestock and work as versatile farm and ranch dogs, as well as family pets. They need purposeful activity. These dogs are happy if they succeed in agility and obedience competitions.
Types of training
Among representatives of service sports, the leading positions are rightfully occupied by shepherd dogs and giant schnauzers.
In sports education, it is required to demonstrate such abilities as the development of high speed, good endurance, and sufficient agility. In service training, developed prey skills are valued, i.e. following instincts, motivating the animal to protect the owner and his things. In training of such areas as detection and service, special requirements are placed on the dog regarding compliance and obedience. A high degree of contact between the dog and its owner is required. This is necessary to maintain complete control of the dog, since protection training is built based on the development of the instincts to attack the “victim” inherent in nature.
For successful performances, dog athletes must have a cheerful disposition, be oriented towards interaction with the owner, be willing to perform tricks and exercises, and have good learning ability.
Whatever type of training is chosen, first of all it should be based on the love of the dog and the owner. It is mutual sympathy and respect that make it possible to establish strong contact and receive satisfaction from the learning process.
English Springer Spaniel
Known for their cheerfulness, playfulness and energy, English Springer Spaniels are bred to hunt tirelessly, even in the most challenging conditions. Combining strength and endurance, they can be overly enthusiastic unless exercised daily, preferably outside or with active dog toys. Their friendly nature makes them ideal companions for active families.
Parson Russell Terrier
Despite their small size, they are known for their tenacity when hunting foxes in the field, as well as their alertness, confidence and endurance. Parson Russell Terriers need regular exercise and attention to settle into a home environment. They get along well with small children and do not tolerate rough treatment.
Sporting dog breeds
Sports dogs include those breeds that are most active, restless, and have a lively character.
The number of breeds suitable for sports training is quite large, these include retrievers, pointers, setters and spaniels. They were mainly bred to assist in hunting game, to find it, scare it, and to bring prey to the owner. All representatives of these breeds are prone to activity and mobility. If a person is not keen on hunting, this should not become an obstacle to making a friend of the hunting breed. Representatives of this group of dogs love children very much, play with them with pleasure, and patiently endure all children's pranks. In terms of their size, they are suitable for sports activities, as their height varies from medium to small.
Airedale
Airedale Terriers are brave, playful and adventurous and will become companions and protectors. They are reliable, good house dogs, but require a firm hand when training as they can get bored easily. Because of their intelligence and energy, Airedale Terriers can handle a lot of mental and physical exercise every day.
Retriever
This breed is passionate about water. A retriever will join you in a swimsuit this summer. Besides swimming, these powerful dogs love any activity and they are great with children! The Bay Retriever prefers cooler temperatures for outdoor activities. So next time you want to go to the river, take this too!
I make do with what I have: I made myself a “steamer” from sushi sticks
New cartoon “Ogonyok-Ognivo”: starring Natalya Tereshkova and Pyotr Kovrizhnykh
“Lolita is designed this way”: Sergei Sosedov criticized her sixth marriage
miniature pinscher
If the miniature pinscher lacks anything, it certainly more than makes up for it in energy. These dogs are fast, playful and very curious, and are called “perpetual motion machines.” The size of these dogs makes them quite suitable for apartment living, but plenty of playtime and daily walks must be provided to compensate for their need for activity.
Active medium sized dogs
If the size of the apartment allows, a future owner who wants to have an active companion can pay attention to medium-sized dog breeds. Among this group are dogs such as Sheltie and American Cocker Spaniel.
At their core, shelties are a smaller copy of everyone's favorite collie. Cute and affectionate dogs, great for apartment living. The good nature of these animals makes them excellent friends for both adults and small children. Shelties are smart and delicate pets who love active games and walks.
It is impossible not to mention the breed of dog - American Cocker Spaniel . Natural hunters, they were often taken by hunters to drive wild birds. The dog's height reaches 40 cm, and its weight can be very different. If an active dog is given freedom and the opportunity to run a lot, it will independently regulate its weight. Average life expectancy is 12 years.
A medium-sized active dog breed is the Miniature Schnauzer . They were bred in Germany to protect the territory. Miniature schnauzers can be of different colors, but their height is almost always the same - up to 50 cm. An active pet will not make its owner bored; in addition, they have a distinctive feature. They do not shed seasonally, so they are good for keeping in an apartment.
