The Best Dog Breeds For Trekking

Practically any dog con practice trekking. However, some breeds are more prepared than others. Today we'll tell you about the best dog breeds for trekking.
The Best Dog Breeds For Trekking
Ana Díaz Maqueda

Written and verified by the biologist Ana Díaz Maqueda.

Last update: 22 December, 2022

Trekking is an activity that human beings carry out in nature. It consists of crossing terrain on routes or paths that have already been created. Besides the simple fact that it’s a means of exercise, walking in nature is a healthy and pleasant activity… Not just for human beings, but for dogs as well.

Trekking paths are categorized according to their difficulty level and according to several factors. These include their slope, height, distance, and more. A person can’t simply begin with the most difficult paths, and the same is very true for our canine friends.

If you want your dog to join you in this activity, then you need to train him or her gradually. In the end, your pet will fall in love with this exercise. After all, it allows dogs to sniff and smell everything around them.

The best breeds for trekking: Herding dogs

In general, herding dogs are very intelligent dogs, which also makes them fairly easy to train. If you plan on trekking with a dog, then you need to first make sure the animal responds perfectly to your call signals. Otherwise, he or she may wander off and get lost in unknown territory.

At the same time, dogs within this dog group are medium-sized, quite muscular, agile, very active, and can walk long distances. What’s more, they have long snouts which allow them to stay cool. This is something that isn’t true for dogs with brachycephalic skulls (short-muzzled dogs).

Some examples of herding dogs are:

  • Belgian Shepherd
  • German Shepherd
  • Majorca Shepherd Dog
  • Catalan Sheep Dog
  • Beauceron
  • Briard
  • Border Collie
  • Smooth Collie
  • Bobtail
  • Berger Blanc Suisse
  • Australian Pastor
A border collie trekking.

The best breeds for trekking: Hounds and tracking dogs

These dogs bark quite a lot and this is the way they tend to express themselves. This dog group consists of very strong animals that are extremely active and social. Traditionally, humans have used these breeds for hunting, both for large and small game. Therefore, they are used to moving around in the country as well as tracking. However, these dogs aren’t easy to train, although they are very stable emotionally.

Some of the dogs that belong to this group that are best for trekking are the following:

  • Dalmatian
  • The Beagle
  • Sabueso Español
  • Bloodhound
  • Black and tan Coonhound
  • Billy
  • Polish Hound
  • Otterhound
  • German Hound
A beagle walking in a field.

More of the best dog breeds for trekking

Other dogs that are great companions when it comes to trekking are hunting retrievers, bird dogs, and water dogs. All of them possess a good nature and, what’s more, are very common among companion dogs. In general, canines belonging to these breeds love water, rolling around in the mud, sniffing. In short, they love to play. Therefore, they adore going out in the country and enjoying the freedom of nature.

At the same time, these dogs tend to be medium-sized and are strong, resistant and energetic. Among them, we find:

  • Labrador Retriever
  • Golden Retriever
  • English Cocker Spaniel
  • English Springer Spaniel
  • American Cocker Spaniel
  • Spanish Water Dog
  • Portuguese Water Dog
Two labs playing in the country.

To conclude, remember that before you take your dog trekking, you need to make sure he or she is completely healthy. What’s more, remember that you should use insect repellent and, upon your return, give your dog a wormer pill. In the country, dogs are subject to catching a number of parasites. Some of these illnesses can even become chronic, leading to a dog’s death.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


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  • Razas reconocidas a título definitivo (2020). Federación Cinológica Internacional. Disponible en: http://www.fci.be/es/Nomenclature/
  • Sarmiento-Rubiano, L. A., Delgado, L., Ruiz, J. P., Sarmiento, M. C., & Becerra, J. (2018). Parásitos intestinales en perros y gatos con dueño de la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia. Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Perú, 29(4), 1403-1410.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.