The great outdoors is the perfect place for your dog to experience a stimulating environment and exciting adventures with you, their human. Certain dog breeds are well-suited for spending extended periods of time outside. Let’s take a look at the best outdoor dog breeds that can live outside and discover how to keep them happy and healthy. And while you’re here – learn how to keep outdoor cats safe and sound!
Table of contents
- What makes a good outdoor dog?
- Make sure the dog’s coat is right for your climate
- Choose a dog that thrives outdoors
- Outdoor-loving dogs flourish with lots of human interaction
- The best reasons to get an outdoor dog
- You plan to train your dog
- You live an active lifestyle
- You live on a working ranch or farm
- You have a large yard or access to places where your dog can run
- You have shelters where your dog can get out of the weather
- Reasons not to get an outdoor dog
- You want a low-maintenance dog that can live mostly alone outdoors
- You don’t have much outdoor space
- Your dog is not well-behaved
- Keeping your dog safe while outdoors
- Supervision
- Parasites
- Fleas and ticks
- Vaccinations
- Weather
- Escapes
- Poisons
- Wildlife
- Grass awns
- What are the best dog breeds that can live outside?
- 1. Alaskan Malamute
- 2. American Foxhound
- 3. Australian Cattle Dog
- 4. Australian Shepherd Dog
- 5. Bearded Collie
- 6. Belgian Sheepdog
- 7. Bernese Mountain Dog
- 8. German Shepherd Dog
- 9. Great Pyrenees
- 10. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- 11. Irish Wolfhound
- 12. Labrador Retriever
- 13. Rottweiler
- 14. Samoyed
- 15. Siberian Husky
- More best outdoor dogs
- Are there small dog breeds that live outdoors in cold weather?
- Best outdoor dogs for hot weather
- Enjoy an active lifestyle with your outdoor-loving adventure dog!
What makes a good outdoor dog?
Every dog needs to spend a few minutes outside daily to take care of business. Some dogs dash back indoors as soon as they can, while others enjoy hours and hours of outdoor play. What are the characteristics to look for in an outdoor dog?
Make sure the dog’s coat is right for your climate
Imagine if you had to survive a winter night outdoors in a t-shirt or spend a hot summer day wearing a parka. Not recommended, right? The same is true for your dog. Choose an outdoor dog breed whose coat is compatible with the weather where you live. Dogs with thick fur can remain toasty warm in wintry weather, but they won’t do well outdoors in very hot climates. Dogs with short hair cannot tolerate cold weather for extended periods, but they may be less likely to overheat in warm climates.
Choose a dog that thrives outdoors
An outdoor dog is typically bred to work and has lots of energy. These adventure dogs enjoy running, playing, and interacting with their humans. Its best to provide these dogs with large amounts of space to run and burn off their boundless energy.
Outdoor-loving dogs flourish with lots of human interaction
Outdoor dogs are not loners. They are domestic animals bred to be part of a human pack, and you are the leader of that pack! Plan to interact with your outdoor dog multiple times per day by inviting them to work alongside you or join you on a playful adventure, hike, or camping trip.
The best reasons to get an outdoor dog
If you decide to get an outdoor dog, plan to spend as much time as you can time outside running, working, or playing with your dog!
You plan to train your dog
Outdoor dogs need to be trained, just like indoor dogs. If you want your dog to accompany you on adventures on or off your property, dog training will make your life easier. With proper dog training, your pup will always know what you want them to do.
You live an active lifestyle
If you run, camp, fish, hike, or hunt frequently, an outdoor dog can be your best buddy. Taking your dog on an outdoor adventure can be a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your furry friend. For your dog, the best part of this experience is being right by your side!
You live on a working ranch or farm
Working dogs are bred to do specific jobs, and they are happiest when they are busy doing that job right alongside you. Shepherds, for example, will stay busy minding your animals. Retrievers will accompany you on hunting excursions. Riding in a vehicle around your property might make your dog the happiest pooch on the planet.
You have a large yard or access to places where your dog can run
A rural area with large fields or forests where your adventure dog can safely run is an ideal setting for an outdoor-loving dog. In the suburbs, adventure dogs benefit from daily walks, runs, trips to the dog park, or vigorous play sessions.
