8 High Energy Dogs That Need Lots of Exercise

No matter what kind of dog you have, most four-footers require plenty of regular exercise to ensure they stay healthy and happy. But some high energy dogs need lots of exercise compared to others.

For some owners, active dog breeds are a blessing.

If you are an avid runner or cyclist, for example, you’ll love doing so alongside an Australian shepherd or Dalmatian. But for owners who tend to stay closer to the couch or computer, an energetic dog can be a handful.

This isn’t good for either party, so be sure to consider the energy needs of any breed before making your selection.

Dog Breeds That Need the Most Exercise

Ranking	Name	Height	Weight	Life span	Breed size	Temperament	Origin
1	Siberian Husky	21–24 inches	44–60 lbs	12 – 15 years	Large	Outgoing, Friendly, Intelligent, Alert, Gentle	Siberia
2	Australian Shepherd	20–23 inches	55–70 lbs	13 – 15 years	Large	Intelligent, Good-natured, Affectionate, Active, Protective	Australia
3	Vizsla	22–25 inches	44–64 lbs	12 – 15 years	Large	Affectionate, Energetic, Loyal, Gentle, Quiet	Hungary
4	Dalmatian	23–24 inches	33–71 lbs	10 – 13 years	Large	Outgoing, Friendly, Intelligent, Energetic, Active, Sensitive, Playful	Unknown
5	Belgian Malinois	22–24 inches	40–80 pounds	12 –14 years	Large	Smart and Obedient	Belgium
6	Plott	20–28 inches	51–60 lbs	12 – 14 years	Large	Intelligent, Bold, Alert, Loyal	Germany, North Carolina
7	Weimaraner	24–26 inches	66–88 lbs	11 – 14 years	Large	Powerful, Steady, Aloof, Intelligent, Energetic, Stubborn, Alert, Fast	Germany
8	Border Collie	19–22 inches	30–45 lbs	10 – 17 years	Medium	Tenacious, Intelligent, Energetic, Keen, Alert, Responsive, Loyal, Athletic	Anglo-Scottish border

If you think you’ve got the endurance to accommodate a truly high energy dog breed, you’ll be well served by choosing from among the dogs that need the most exercise below.

1. Siberian Husky

As you may expect, dogs that were bred to drag a sled across mile after mile of ice have incredible exercise needs. If you don’t keep your husky properly exercised, he’ll surely develop behavioral problems and become depressed.

Siberian huskies love to pull things, so while you can run or bike with them, you may be able to wear them out more effectively by engaging in some dragging or pulling activities.

READ MORE: 20 Big Fluffy Dogs You Can’t Help But Love

2. Australian Shepherd

Thanks to their cattle- and sheep-herding past, Australian Shepherds are one of the most energetic dog breeds that require a great deal of activity to keep them healthy, fit and full of life.

The active Aussie Shepherd loves to run, so they make perfect running or cycling companions, but some also display an aptitude for agility course work, disc games and similar activities.

3. Vizsla

Like many of the other active dog breeds on this list, the Vizsla was designed to be a pointing and retrieving dog. Long-legged and lean, these energetic dogs often had to travel for hours at a time, helping their human to feed the family.

This provided them with an incredible reservoir of inner energy, which is hard to completely empty. You won’t be able to tire your Vizsla with a 20-minute walk, so plan on a lifetime of playing fetch or running with your pup.

4. Dalmatian

Dalmatians were originally bred to run alongside horse-drawn carriages, where they’d protect the riders from bandits and wild animals.

But even today, they retain this running instinct and impressive stamina. Dalmatians are one of the highest energy dogs that are great companions for runners and bicyclists alike.

5. Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois dogs have some of the highest exercise requirements among popular breeds. In fact, their incredible willingness to work and exercise for hours at a time is one of the reasons that many military and police K9 handlers often enlist the help of Belgian Malinois dogs.

6. Plott

For a long time, Plotts were primarily used for tracking and treeing raccoons and mountain lions or hunting boars and bears. However, they’ve become more popular as companion animals in recent years, and more and more Plotts are serving as family pets than proper hunting dogs.

Unfortunately, few understand the amount of activity plots require, which leads to behavioral problems and a depressed, frustrated or anxious pup. Proper training and early socialization is a must.

7. Weimaraner

Another active breed that needs plenty of room to run, Weimaraners are infamous for their spooky-yet-endearing expression and gorgeous gray coat.

However, like many other hunting breeds, Weimaraner dogs need lots of exercise and acitivy to help deplete their considerable energy reserves.

Weimaraners often love to play fetch for hours at a time, but they often enjoy running with their owners and swimming as well.

8. Border Collie

Often recognized as one of the smartest large dog breeds in the world, border collies are another herding breed who was born to run, jump and play.

The combination of intelligence and high energy levels can make for a destructive dog, so it is especially important to make sure you are emptying out your border collie’s fuel tank on a regular basis.

How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need?

The exercise needs of different breeds vary greatly. There are a few breeds, such as English bulldogs and many toy breeds, who don’t need much more exercise than a daily walk or two.

We review 10 big dogs that don’t need much exercise and are suitable for apartment living in our article: The Best Large Dogs for Apartments. But at the other end of the spectrum, many owners find it difficult to exhaust the average active Siberian husky.

Generally speaking, dogs need about 30 to 120 minutes of exercise a day.

Speak with your vet about your dog’s specific requirements, and always be sure to start exercising your large dog gradually to avoid causing injuries.

Pay attention to your dog, and he will generally let you know how much exercise he needs. If you go out for a 2-mile jog with your pup and he is still running around like a lunatic, you may need to provide a little more activity.

On the other hand, if you must slow down over the last leg of your journey to accommodate your dog, you may be pushing him a little too far.

The Benefits Of Exercising Your Dog

Just like humans, dogs benefit from regular exercise in a number of ways. This includes not only physiologically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Consistent activity will reduce the number of destructive or undesirable behaviors your dog exhibits. It’s been said before, but it always bears repeating: A tired dog is a happy and well-behaved dog. Dogs that don’t get sufficient exercise and stimulation act out in a number of ways, none of which are fun to deal with.

Exercise provides a way to bond with your dog. No matter how much time you get to spend with your buddy, it’s never enough. Anytime you can get out with your dog, you’ll both reap the rewards.

Dogs and humans both experience hormonal changes when gazing into each other’s eyes, so take advantage of every chance you get to spend time with the pooch.

Regular activity can help stave off some long-term illnesses. Also, moderate exercise can help prevent things like arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.

Incidentally, getting your dog more exercise usually increases the amount of activity you get too, which will help you avoid some of the same medical problems.

Exercise is fun! This just in: Playing with your dog is a highly enjoyable activity. Just be sure to pick a dog whose talents and preferences align with your own.

If you’re a swimmer, pick a Weimaraner that’ll likely dog paddle for days; if you’re a runner, start trying to decide if you can keep up with a Dalmatian or if a Border Collie is a more appropriate choice.

And if you are an admitted couch potato, pick a pet that likes to play fetch – it is the easiest way to get your pup exercise without expending much energy yourself.

Great Ways To Exercise High Energy Dogs

There are a number of different ways you can get your dog more exercise, and many of them will provide you with some extra exercise as well. Just be sure to pick a good activity for your energetic dog; he should enjoy whatever you do so he doesn’t view it as a daily chore.

Walking

If you don’t have a yard in which your dog can take care of his bathroom needs, you’ll already need to take him for a walk three or four times a day. While some breeds will tire with three or four 20-minute walks a day, many others will require much longer walks to wear them out.

Running

If you like to run, you should consider taking your dog along with you to get him some exercise too. Unlike walking, jogging or running will burn a pretty significant number of calories, and you can probably tire out most energetic dog breeds by doing so (provided that you can run for several miles at a time).

You can even use a hands-free leash specifically designed for running (popular with Canicross) to keep your pup safe without ruining your running stride.

Swimming

Swimming is a fantastic activity for your high-energy dog, and many breeds love the water. Not only does swimming provide an intensive workout, but it also does so in a low-impact way. This makes it a great option for older dogs who are suffering from joint problems, such as arthritis.

Always be sure to keep safety in mind when allowing your dog to swim, and have a plan ready to rescue him if he gets into trouble.

Playing Fetch

Not all dogs like to play fetch – some simply lack the instinct to chase after a tennis ball or frisbee. But these types of games are a great way to get your dog some more exercise. After all, you don’t have to expend much energy to play these games.

You can exhaust your pup’s mind, body, and soul by playing, chucking a frisbee (or launching a tennis ball) for a half-hour while you stay seated sipping your favorite beverage.

Safety First

Even the most active dog breeds can overdo it or suffer injury, so keep safety at the forefront of your mind when playing with the pooch.

Stop immediately if your dog suffers an injury. A slightly tweaked ankle can become a whole lot worse if you let your dog continue.

Carry your pup if need be, but don’t make him walk any farther than absolutely necessary. Obviously, lacerations, broken teeth or blunt-force injuries require immediate veterinary attention.

As a matter of practice, you should carry a good first aid kit at all times for bandaging wounds or pulling out splinters – just don’t use any of the medications in the kit without consulting a veterinarian.

More often than not, it is wise to keep your dog on a leash. Countless pets disappear each year while running off-leash. Although your pet may have run off-leash for years without a hint of a problem, you never know what you’ll encounter on your run tomorrow.

Cars, cats, pedestrians, broken glass, toxic chemicals and wanderlust are but a few of the compelling reasons to err on the side of caution. But whether you heed this advice or not, it is always smart to use a GPS tracker when getting out with your dog.

Be sure to keep your active dog breed sufficiently hydrated. This is a more immediate concern in hot weather, but most conscientious owners are pretty good about providing their pet with enough water during summer activities – it is during the winter that many fail to do so.

Remember that winter air is often quite dry, which accelerates the rate at which your dog loses moisture. Bring along a water bottle and a collapsible water dish, and you’ll never have a problem.

In Conclusion 

We explained that our list certainly left off a number of other large dogs that need the most excercise, so tell us which ones we missed!

I’m sure there are more than a few families with a Golden Retriever, Labradoodle or Puli that never seems to tire – tell us all about him or her.

We’d also love to know what kinds of activities you do with your high energy dog to get him the exercise he needs? What has worked and what hasn’t? Let us know in the comments below.

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