Lazy owners, beware: These are the 10 most energetic dog breeds
Every dog needs daily exercise, but these breeds take it to a whole new level.
With some breeds you can get away with a leisurely stroll each day, but not these guys.
Each of these dog breeds needs high-quality exercise, which means long walks in new locations with new smells, plenty of engaged playing time with games like fetch, and off-leash adventures to let loose a bit.
So, if you're thinking of getting a dog and you have an active lifestyle, these are the breeds for you.
If you're looking for more of a cuddle on the couch and watch TV kind of pet, take this as a list of the dogs not to get.
Keep reading to find out more about the 10 most energetic dog breeds.
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Labrador retriever
Let's start off with one we all know and love, shall we?
They're one of the most popular breeds in Australia and are known to make excellent family dogs.
But, they need to be a part of an active family that is going to play with them and give them all the love and exercise they need and deserve.
Especially in their younger years, Labradors are extremely energetic, and they're also quite smart, which means they need plenty of mental stimulation too.
If their needs aren't met, they can become quite unhappy and start to show some destructive behaviours.
Border collie
Aw, who doesn't love a Border collie?
It's common knowledge that if you want one, you'd better be prepared to up your step count.
These dogs are known for their high energy lifestyles, bred for work such as herding cattle which naturally makes them more energetic.
They're also known to be incredibly smart.
Border collies can make great family pets, but only if given enough mental and physical stimulation.
Without, they can become bored, snappy, stressed and destructive.
Standard poodle
This one might be a little more surprising to some.
The standard poodle is one of the most energetic dog breeds around, known for their kind and friendly personalities.
They need regular exercise and regular mental enrichment, and without it they can start to show destructive behaviours.
Standard poodles love to have a job to do and are known to be eager to please, which makes them quite easy to train with positive reinforcement.
But don't get confused here – we're talking solely about a standard poodle, not a miniature poodle, toy poodle or any kind of poodle cross.
Jack Russell terrier
The smallest breed on the list, and definitely one of the mightiest.
Jack Russell terriers need a minimum of 90 minutes of high-quality exercise a day.
That means having a backyard simply won't be enough.
If you're looking at getting a Jack Russell, be prepared to spend at least 30 minutes playing fetch, plus trips to the park and beach to let them run.
And these little guys are full of spunk so if they're not getting the exercise they need, they'll let you know.
Jack Russells are known to get rowdy and very vocal when bored.
Australian cattle dog
Of course, a list of active dog breeds wouldn't be complete without the beloved Aussie cattle dog.
If you're living in an apartment or inner city with a small yard and are thinking about getting one, the answer should be an immediate no.
These guys need a job to satisfy their energetic personalities, so you need to be prepared for long days playing fetch and engaging with your pup.
And unless you're living on a farm, they may not make the best family dogs.
If left with no task at hand (or paw) and bundles of energy stacked up, Australian cattle dogs will make an attempt to herd small children – so beware.
Vizsla
A little less common, but no less energetic.
Vislas are raring to go at all hours of the day with a party-all-day-all-night kind of stamina.
If you've got the time and energy to make sure they're exercised properly, they make great companions and are incredibly loyal.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that on top of their active lifestyle, they also have quite a fast metabolism, which means you're going to need to up the calorie count (and food cost) to keep them healthy.
German shorthaired pointer
If we're talking on a scale of 1-10, one being sedentary and 10 being hyper, the German shorthaired pointer sits around an 11.
These dogs are gorgeous to look at, which can often lead to them ending up in homes that aren't suitable to their needs.
German shorthaired pointers are bred as hunting dogs with a high prey drive, so their energy levels need to be channelled into positive outlets such as walks, off-leash activities, and plenty of games like fetch.
When treated well and given the proper amount of exercise, these dogs are incredibly loyal companions.
Greyhound
Greyhounds are an interesting breed; they manage to be high-energy and low-maintenance at the same time.
Let us explain.
Greyhounds are bred for high-energy activities, so they need high-quality exercise.
A backyard probably won't be enough – these guys need their daily long walk or off-leash run at the park.
But once they've gotten their exercise? Greyhounds will happily lounge on the couch with you all day.
Dalmatian
Dalmatians are gorgeous dogs and can be great for families, but there are a few caveats.
These dogs are super energetic so need to be in a playful and active household.
When treated right, they're incredibly loyal to their family and make great watchdogs, but one thing to be careful of is that they can be quite sensitive.
Dalmatians are super smart and highly trainable, but if your plan is to train with negative reinforcement you're going to get nowhere aside from making your pup sad and untrusting.
Because of this, combined with their high energy levels, they also may not be suitable to homes with small children – we all know how rough kids can be with their pups.
