What kind of dog for an active guy?

Question

Hey everyone. I want to eventually get a dog but I don't know what breed. I'm very active as far as outdoor sports. I like backpacking and camping and mtn biking and all that kind of stuff. And I would like a dog that could tag along. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

There are SO many dogs that would benefit from being your pet. Labs and other sporting dogs usually have plenty of energy, but you'll have to take into account the weather you will be in since some of them have lots of fur. A really good idea would be to go to your shelter. I've always had danes and wanted another, but when I got to the pound, I found a Lab mix that fit my personality and lifestyle perfectly! Before deciding, just go take a look at some of the animals and ask to take the animals out to get to know them better. I can almost guarantee you will find a dog that will be a perfect companion for you.

Answer 2

What they rerm the working dogs would be great for you examples Labradors,Border Collies, German Shepherds, Dobermans -have had German Shepherd and a Doberman and a Border Collie -presently have a Yellow Lab -Huskie Mix and found all are great Companion dogs, easily trained but must establish yourself as the leader when you first get the dog -a good guide to do this is to get the Dog Whisperers Book approx$18.00 at most Bookstores and also when you first get train and keep on leash when outside-until the dog comes when called,and also esp backpacking and camping you'd also need a dog that would ward off anyone a threat to you and these dogs will, None of the dogs I had and have showed any agression under normal circumstances or when meeting strangers-for you do not want a overly aggressive dog.My suggestion is that when you do get ready to have a dog that you visit the Humane Society Shelter in your area or any Animal Rescue(dog)for they have really Good dogs and most shelters esp the Humane Society bring the dog into top health condition ,neuter(necessary to decrease territorial aggression and cancers esp testicular, and make sure they are up to date on vaccinations before the dog is available to the public,also no overly aggressive dogs are made available to the public. Or you can go to the pound here so many good dogs end up but it will be your resp to get checked by Vet,get Vaccinated , Neutered and so forth--I think rescued dogs(animals) somehow know they were saved for all my dogs(animals) were rescues and latest ,the Lab/Huskie Mix a stray and ALL were are Loving and Loyal to me dogs.I'm glad your checking into the dog that matches your lifestyle to ensure a good match for often people just get a dog on looks without bothering to find out the dogs needs which is so important.Collies are also among the active dogs and all the dog breeds I mentioned are dogs that love being active. These dogs can be mixed and mixed breeds actually have less health problems from inbreeding than Purebreds.

Answer 3

I would suggest researching some of the breeds you're interested in, or those suggested by other posters here. Then you could head to your local animal shelter and look for crosses or mixes of the breeds you're interested in. That way you can get some of the traits you are looking for but can: find a dog you bond with rather than buy unknown from a breeder; avoid the health problems present in some purebreds; and provide a loving home to a homeless dog who may be otherwise euthanized. I work at an animal shelter and I have found medium-sized mixed breed dogs to have the best personalities and health in many cases. Just my opinion of course! Good luck to you and to whatever dog you choose.

Answer 4

A field type lab or Golden would be a great start. The field type (bred for hunting) is a very active athletic dog that lives for outdoor activity.

Maybe a mixed breed. The best dog I had for camping, hiking, canoeing, running, etc was my Huskador: half Siberian Husky and half fence climbing black lab. Huskies aren't usually known to hang around off leash.

Answer 5

If you'd like a smaller dog, the Jack Russell terrier is a very loyal and energetic dog. They have a good longevity (14-21 years) and health.

I would recommend going to the AKC website to check out different breeds. The Human Shelters are also good places to look. Take your time in your search and look into any possible breeds before making a final decision.

Answer 6

You're exactly like I was. I'm all about the outdoors. I like backpacking and camping, just like you, and was also looking for a dog to tag along. I ended up getting a German Shepherd. These dogs are very smart, easy to train and will be more than happy and willing to tag along for those outdoor adventures. I have my dog carry his own backpack. You are going to have to obedience train your dog, if you want a reliable dog. Trust me, it is really worth it. Females are good for starters, because they tend to want to please more than males. Also, females are much less prone to being dominant. Drop me an email at [e-mail] , and I'll let you know how I obedience trained my dog, how it is to have an active dog tag along, what to expect, and what dog equipment I use for outdoor activites.

Answer 7

Glad to see you're going to do the research first! You didn't say what kind of climate you live in and that would sort of narrow down the search also. I used the dog breed selector quiz at animal planet dot com. It has lots of good questions and great breed descriptions, not just of what the standard should look like but personality and playfulness. I highly recommend checking out petfinder.com also. You can do a search by zip size sex age and even breed. Mutts sometimes make better pets anyway!

Answer 8

Any big dog.........Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boxers, and Rotweilers are all big dogs that thrive on outdoor activities........running, walking, jogging, playing and working outdoors, especially the retrievers that will fetch all day and play in the water.

Also, any type of Spaniel, Pointer, or Herding dog, such as collies and Australian Shepherds are good outdoor dogs as well.

Answer 9

I'd recommend one of these 5 breeds:

1. German Shepherd
2. Golden Retriever
3. Labrador Retriever
4. Collie (Rough Coat)
5. Doberman Pinscher

Good luck in choosing your ideal canine companion.

Answer 10

I believe redjan that an Australian Shepard can be a good suggestion, as they are marvelous, smart, affectionate dogs. yet another advice could be some type of collie, as also they are smallish and they have lengthy, marvelous hair. once you're searching for something more suitable on the smaller aspect, then you definately could get a Shetland Sheepdog (also stated as a Sheltie). they can differ length-wise from 14 kilos to 40 kilos and they look lots like collies, to boot as being truly affectionate and lively. reliable luck on your dogs hunt!