29 Best Dogs for Jogging

Running helps maintain weight and build endurance. It also stimulates mental health and gives your dog and jogging partner the opportunity to let off steam.

Certain dog breeds are better suited for jogging than others. The dog's health should come first – if in doubt, the vet can be consulted.

Caution: Please do not take puppies running as their bones and muscles are not yet fully developed. As a rule, running training can be started from the age of 18 months.

The following list covers purebred dogs. However, excellent dogs for jogging can often be found among the mixed breeds. [1]

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#1 Alaskan Malamute

With its thick coat and stocky build, this dog breed is designed for jogging in cold weather.

Bred as sled dogs, these dogs crave a task and love exercise.

Best suited for: Long distances in the cold.

#2 American Foxhound

These energetic dogs not only enjoy training, but they adapt to both hot and cold weather thanks to their short, easy-care coats.

American Foxhounds make ideal jogging partners and with a little training they can handle long distances with ease.

Best suited for: long, even runs

#3 American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull is made for short runs at higher speeds.

Even at a young age, an American Pit Bull can last around 1.5 km when jogging. With patience and progressive training, this breed of dog can go a few kilometers further.

Best suited for: brisk, short runs.

#4 Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle dogs make excellent jogging companions.

These athletic, highly intelligent dogs are easy to train and love mental stimulation and structure.

Best suited for: long, steady runs and trails.

#5 Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are fast, agile and confident runners.

They are active, require a lot of attention and love running with obstacles. They are also popular with families with children and other pets.

Best suited for: Trails with obstacles.

#6 Beagles

Beagles are very active, fast and require a lot of exercise. Beagles are ideal for short distance jogging.

Caution is advised on longer journeys. While Beagles can easily run a few kilometers, their bodies are not designed for marathons or cross-country skiing.

Best suited for: brisk, short runs.

#7 Belgian Shepherd

These dogs have a lot of energy and can keep up with a variety of running activities.

Belgian Shepherds are elegant, persistent and spirited and with a little training they make an excellent jogging partner.

Best suited for: brisk, short runs.

#8 Border Collie

Border Collies are amazing athletes and very energetic. Well-trained collies have a lot of fun jogging and can keep up with the best.

Be careful with snow: Snow can get caught in the fur and the dogs can quickly cool down.

Best suited for: long, steady runs and running in the cold (not in the snow).

#9 Dalmatian

Dalmatians are among the best long-distance runners and love exercise. These dogs are excellent companions for active people.

Ideally, soft paths should be chosen for jogging to protect these dogs' feet and joints.

Best suited for: long, even runs.

#10 German Shorthaired Pointer

This medium-sized hunting dog is intelligent and has enough energy to keep up with almost any run.

“They are fast, endurance runners,” says Bryan Barrera, founder of DC Dog Runner.

Best suited for: long, steady runs, fast walking and trail running.

#11 German Shepherd

Enthusiasm, intelligence and the need for vigorous exercise make this breed the perfect partner for jogging.

These dogs are strong and persistent and have a strong protective instinct, which is particularly beneficial for women.

Best suited for: long, consistent runs, even in the cold.

#12 Doberman Pinscher

Muscular, fast and powerful, these dogs love vigorous, daily exercise and stimulating mental challenges.

Dobermans were bred to be working dogs and have enough energy to keep up with runners.

Best suited for: medium-long, even barrels.

#13 English Setters

This hunting dog comes with an ideal mix of strength and endurance. This active dog breed is therefore a great companion for active people and joggers.

These dogs usually run across the fields in front of hunters. They were bred to run and are very task oriented.

Best suited for: brisk, short runs.

#14 English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniels love to go jogging with their owners. This energetic dog breed needs regular mental and physical stimulation.

To learn to jog, simply start integrating smaller running units on command while walking the dog.

Best suited for: 5 km straight and off-road runs.

#15 Fox Terrier

This friendly and energetic dog breed makes a great jogging companion. However, they require a little more training than other breeds.

Originally used for fox hunting in England, Fox Terriers are nimble and designed for fast running.

Best suited for: shorter runs even in the heat.

#16 Golden Retrievers

This friendly breed of dog can cover long distances with ease.

Golden Retrievers are easy to train and extremely loyal. They make a great running partner for almost any distance.

Best suited for: brisk, short runs or long, slow runs.

#17 Greyhound

Greyhounds are known for their speed on the race track. They are a great running companion.

«Some are really just sprinters, so don't expect greyhounds to cover too many miles with you,» says Karen London, certified animal behaviorist.

Best suited for: brisk, short runs and fast walking.

#18 Labrador Retrievers

Labs are an all-rounder dog breed and love to run. Bred to find prey while hunting, the Labrador is always ready for action.

Their coat can cope with warm and cold weather and their behavior is friendly and relaxed. With the right training, Labradors make excellent running partners.

Best suited for: medium to long distances at a steady pace.

#19 Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula Leopard Dog has a strong work ethic and is calmer the more exercise it gets.

Originally used for hunting and driving herds of cattle, the Catahoula is tough, persistent, agile and fast. [2]

Best suited for: long, steady runs even on trails and with obstacles.

#20 Malinois

This breed of dog is strong, muscular and has the ability to run long distances in different weather conditions. [3]

Their protective behavior is a plus and makes them one of the best dog breeds for jogging.

Best suited for: long, even runs.

#21 Parson Russell Terrier

This breed of dog is also known as Jack Russell and is very eager and active.

These dogs love to hunt, so some training is necessary to keep this breed focused on jogging and not distracted.

Best suited for: long, even runs.

#22 Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound requires the right amount of exercise – and jogging is great for these dogs.

Pharaoh Hounds have a strong hunting instinct and require some training to stay focused while running.

Best suited for: brisk, short runs.

#23 Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dogs are affectionate, adventurous, and energetic.

As working dogs, these dogs see jogging as a task that they want to complete with full concentration.

Best suited for: Trails with obstacles and long, steady runs.

#24 Poodle

Poodles are playful and very intelligent. With some training, this breed can safely run a distance of 5 km.

Caution is advised in extreme temperatures. Poodles should not be exposed to extreme heat or cold.

Best suited for: long, even runs.

#25 Rhodesian Ridgeback

This breed also copes well with the heat in warmer climates and makes an extremely good running partner.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks were once used to hunt lions and other large game and are therefore extremely athletic.

Best suited for: Running in the heat and long, steady runs.

#26 Saluki

The Saluki is one of the fastest dog breeds in the world. These dogs are very adaptable and can live in any climate.

Daily exercise is important to keep them physically and mentally fit. As jogging partners, they are ideal for long-distance running.

Best suited for: long, steady runs and fast walking.

#27 Siberian Husky

This working dog is fast and light on its feet and enjoys any activity.

Huskies are athletic dogs that definitely perform best in the colder air, but can also hold their own in the spring and fall.

Best suited for: longer runs in the cold.

#28 Short-haired Hungarian Pointer

“Short-haired Hungarian Pointers are the best running dogs for any type of running,” says Barrera, founder of DC Dog Runner.

This breed also enjoys jogging in cold and snowy conditions. Caution is advised in extreme temperatures and high heat.

Best suited for: long, steady runs, fast walking, running in the heat, and trail running.

#29 Weimeraner

Their muscular build makes this energetic breed a great companion for…