Every dog is different and has their character, but the breed they belong to can significantly affect their personality. Each dog breed has been developed to carry certain qualities. Many breeds were bred to work and assist their human companions in laborious tasks. These breeds have infinite energy and an incredible bond with their owners. While they may not be used to herd cattle or protect property, these breeds make the perfect companions for active dog owners. While more than 190 dog breeds are recognized worldwide, we compiled a list of the top 9 high energy breeds for active owners.
Jack Russell Terrier
First on our list is the small but mighty Jack Russel Terrier. Originating from England in the 19th century, Jack Russel Terriers were bred to assist their human companions in hunting above and underground foxes. The Jack Russel Terrier makes a terrific canine companion for active owners due to their happy and energetic personalities and a strong desire to work. While they may be tiny, they have a long life expectancy living between 13 and 16 years. Though they were bred for such an active job, these tiny hunters weigh only around 13 – 17 lbs. The only downside to this breed is their intense love for digging. After all, they were bred to hunt underground.
Australian Shepherd
Contrary to their name, the Australian Shepherd we know today was developed in the western United States by breeding different herding breeds. The early ancestors of this breed were originally from the Basque Region in Spain, where they were later imported to Australia before reaching the United States.
Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train. Their easygoing attitudes and a strong desire to please make them great family dogs. However, they can become protective of their human companions. The Australian Shepherd is a medium to large-sized dog weighing anywhere from 35 to 70 lbs. They have an average lifespan of 12-13 years.
Australian Shepherds are double-coated, meaning they have two layers of fur: an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat helps maintain their temperature, keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The top coat is a weather-resistant layer protecting them from wind and water. Due to their double coat and long hair, the Australian Shepherd requires regular grooming to remove debris and prevent matting.
Australian Cattle Dog
Another great high energy breed is the Australian Cattle dog. Unlike the Australian Shepherd, the Australian Cattle Dog originates from Australia. The Australian Cattle Dog was developed by breeding Dingoes (Australian wild dogs) and collies. They were bred specifically to protect and herd cattle. Australian Cattle Dogs are double-coated and have short hair. These medium-sized dogs weigh in at around 31 – 35 lbs. They are alert, loyal, intelligent, and courageous.
As with most herding breeds, the Australian Cattle Dog craves their owner’s satisfaction and are excellent watchdogs due to their origins. Although their life expectancy is 12 – 13 years, the Guinness World Record holder for the oldest dog is an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey. After herding cattle for more than two-thirds of his life, Bluey passed away a few months after his 29th birthday.
Siberian Husky
Developed by the Chukchi in eastern Siberia, the Siberian Husky was bred to endure extreme conditions. The Chukchi relied so heavily on these dogs for survival as they endured temperatures of 100 degrees below zero and winds reaching more than 100 miles per hour. Due to their unbelievable ability to survive such extreme conditions, Siberian Huskies were brought to Alaska in 1908 and used primarily as sled dogs.
These medium-sized dogs typically weigh between 35 and 60 lbs. and live to be around 12 – 14 years old. They can survive in moderately warm weather despite their thick fur because they are double-coated. While Siberian Huskies typically look intimidating and scary, they are very friendly and love to play. Huskies love to work and have a particular love for running. Because of this, owners are advised to practice extreme caution when letting their Huskies off-leash in unfenced areas.
Siberian Huskies are also known to be escape artists and love to outsmart their owners. Due to their peculiar precision in escaping and deep love to jet wherever their feet will take them, Huskies can be difficult to care for and require a lot of extra supervision.
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is less popular than other breeds on this list but deserves a spot. Originating in the 1800s in the Weimar region in Germany, hunters bred the Weimaraner to assist in hunting boar and deer. Later in their development, these dogs were bred with Setters and Pointers enhancing their hunting and tracking abilities even more.
The Weimaraner is among the best high energy breeds and family dogs due to their loving, friendly, and fearless personality traits. They are also very loyal and alert and tend to learn quickly. Weimaraners are medium to large, weighing anywhere from 55 to 90 lbs, and typically live between 11 and 14 years of age. The Weimaraner is known for their sleek, silvery-gray coat; despite its short length, they tend to shed a lot.
Border Collie
If you’ve ever seen a Border Collie, you know just how energetic and fidgety they can be! Dating back to the 1700s, the Border Collie originates from the bordering counties (hence the name) in England and Scotland. Originally bred to herd livestock, the Border Collie we know today has maintained these herding instincts and will even be found “herding” children.
Border Collies live to reach around 12 – 15 years of age and typically weigh between 30 and 55 lbs. The Border Collie comes in one of two coat types: rough and smooth. Rough-coated Collies have long hair that is feathery in some areas. In contrast, smooth-coated Collies have short and coarse fur making them easier to maintain than rough-coated Collies. Dogs of both varieties are double-coated and come in a plethora of colors.
Border Collies are hardworking, friendly, outgoing, and extremely smart. Border Collie dogs hold various world records, including Chaser, who can identify over 1000 objects by name; Sweet Pea completing the fastest 100 meters while balancing a can on her head; and Striker opening a non-electric car window in just 11.34 seconds.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is the top choice for many outdoor enthusiasts looking for high energy breeds, making them a great companion for hiking and exploring. German Shorthaired Pointers date back to 17th century Germany where they were developed from the German Bird Dog. They were bred primarily for hunting and are known for their iconic pointing stance.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium to large breed weighing between 45 and 70 lbs. They have an average lifespan of about 12 – 14 years. German Shorthaired Pointers are intelligent, playful, friendly, and willful, making them perfect family dogs. However, due to their hunting origins, they have a very strong prey drive giving them the urge to chase after and “hunt” small animals, including small pets like cats or rabbits.
Dalmatian
This iconic breed is popular among entertainment but is less commonly known as pets. The Dalmatian is a historic breed probably dating back to 2000 B.C. when drawings of spotted dogs were found on Greek tablets. Other early records of the breed were found in Dalmatia, Yugoslavia (modern-day Croatia), where they were bred specifically for hunting and guarding. Later, when the primary mode of transportation was carriages, Dalmatians earned the title of “coach dogs” as they were a top choice for protecting coaches and their passengers.
The Dalmatian typically lives to be 10 – 13 years old and weighs between 45 and 70 lbs. Dalmatians are known to be playful and loving. However, they tend to be aloof and wary of new things. They also have excellent guarding instincts due to their origins and history. The Dalmatian has short hair and only has black or brown spots on a white base.
Belgian Shepherds
Our list of high energy breeds wouldn’t be complete without the Belgian Shepherd. Known as one of the most active dog breeds in the world, these dogs would run in circles all day just to preserve their sanity. Originating from Belgium in the 1880s, the Belgian Shepherd was bred primarily for herding. They made their military debut in World War 2 and have since been bred for various jobs.
The Belgian Shepherd has one of the most extended lifespans compared to the other breeds on this list and lives to be around 14 – 16 years old. They are medium to large-sized dogs weighing anywhere between 40 and 80 lbs. Belgian Shepherds are highly intelligent and extremely hardworking. They thrive when provided with loving companionship and strive to please their owners. Due to their working genetics, Belgian Shepherds tend to be alert and protective. And despite their rugged looks and military background, Belgian Shepherds are big goofballs and love to play with their families.
The Belgian Shepherd has four variants: the Malinois (mal-un-wah), Tervuren, Groenendael, and Laekenois (layk-ehn-wah). Each variant shares the same personality traits but differs in colors and coat types. All variants, however, are double-coated.
The high-energy dog breeds we explored make great companions for active owners. They love to push past their limits and strive to please their human companions. No matter which breed you choose, any of these would love to accompany you on your daily adventures.
