15 playful dog breeds to enjoy the summer with

15 playful dog breeds to enjoy the summer with,Summer means getting to spend the warmest months of the year outdoors with the people we love the most. But even if the most optimistic case scenario comes true, we can't forget our most loyal companions.

15 playful dog breeds to enjoy the summer with

Summer means getting to spend the warmest months of the year outdoors with the people we love the most. But even if the most optimistic case scenario comes true, we can’t forget our most loyal companions.

Dogs!

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American foxhound

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Australian shepherds are staples of the Herding Group and titled “the cowboy’s herding dog of choice” by the American Kennel Club, which also cautions “sedentary” pet owners against choosing an Aussie. “But if you’re looking for a brainy, tireless, and trainable partner for work or sport, your search might end here,” the website concludes.

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Beagle

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Beagles have the market cornered on puppy dog eyes. These adorably floppy-eared pups, according to the American Kennel Club, “have been the most popular hound dog among American pet owners; these are curious, clever, and energetic hounds who require plenty of playtime.” For more fun facts about beagles, click here.

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Boxer

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The Boxer was represented well at last year’s Westminster Dog Show with Wilma winning the Working Group. Boxers are sought after for their classic and muscular appearance, but people fall in love with them for their personalities.

“Boxers move like the athletes they are named for: smooth and graceful, with a powerful forward thrust,” per the American Kennel Club. “Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great dog with children.”

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Pembroke Welsh corgi

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Somewhere along the line, humans decided to make Corgi Butts a thing. Corgis’ physical makeup is instantly identifiable, but their stumpy little legs don’t slow these herding dogs down at all. “The Pembroke is a bright, sensitive dog who enjoys playing with his human family and responds well to training,” explains the American Kennel Club, adding: “Families who can meet their bold but kindly Pembroke’s need for activity and togetherness will never have a more loyal, loving pet.”

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Dalmatian

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The immediate association upon seeing these spotted beauties will forever be (or at least should be) Disney’s animated One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) or live-action 101 Dalmatians (1996). In real life, “with their preferred humans, Dals are bright, loyal, and loving house dogs,” according to the American Kennel Club. “They are strong, active athletes with great stamina—a wonderful partner for runners and hikers.”

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English springer spaniel

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The American Kennel Club chose “friendly, playful, and obedient” to describe English springer spaniels’s temperament. What more could you want? This breed is a member of the “naturally active and alert” Sporting Group. “They are eager to join in any family activity,” per the AKC. “Long walks, games of chase and fetch, and swimming are favorite pastimes of these rugged spaniels.”

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German shepherd

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Not that any dog deserves results-based love, but Rumor the German shepherd topped the 2017 Westminster Dog Show. These regal-looking dogs are known for the protective instincts and have traditionally worked as police or military dogs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to feel their ears flopping in the wind while playing fetch. They’re definitively athletic enough to play all day and night.

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Goldendoodle

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What’s more playful than a golden retriever or a poodle, each individually championed for athleticism and energy? A golden retriever and poodle combined in the form of a perfectly fluffy goldendoodle. In fact, the poodle hybrid breeds are aplenty: Aussiedoodles, bernedoodles, labradoodles, pyredoodles, sheepadoodles, whoodles, and more.

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Golden retriever

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Um, hello? The Air Bud franchise! If that’s not enough to convince you, an awesome golden retriever named Remington lived in my family’s cove at the lake when I was growing up, and while he consistently swam over to steal our foam noodles, we never got mad at him because he was having so much fun doing it.

Here are 10 fun facts about the breed from the American Kennel Club, including confirmation that “these active members of the Sporting Group make poor couch potatoes.”

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Jack Russell terrier

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If Arthur the Jack Russell was good enough for Ewan McGregor in Beginners (2010)—not to mention My Dog Skip—then any Jack Russell terrier is good enough for you. These sassy dogs are beloved for how active and alert they are at seemingly all times. Want to go for a morning jog? Great! An evening walk? Great!

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Labrador retriever

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Labrador retrievers are known for how much they love the water. “In fact, [the lab is] an excellent swimmer and will happily spend the day retrieving from the water,” the American Kennel Club writes, included in a list of 16 breeds born to swim.

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Siberian husky

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Siberian huskies, as well as their cousin Alaskan Malamute breed, are often associated with winter because of their heritage. However, huskies are just as keen to adventure during the summer. While the American Kennel Club classifies Siberian huskies in the Working Group, these dogs know how to work and play: “As born pack dogs, Siberians enjoy family life and get on well with other dogs.”

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Shetland sheepdog

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Shetland sheepdogs can often be confused with rough collies, popularized best by Lassie, but they are indeed different breeds. Shelties are described by the American Kennel Club as having “playful, energetic and bright” temperaments.

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Soft-coated wheaten terrier

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This is a biased selection because my family has had four soft-coated wheaten terriers—also known as wheaties—and they are objectively the best dogs to ever live, but it’s also a valid placement. Described as “merry extroverts” by the American Kennel Club, wheaties are known for their “Wheaten Greetin'” because of how excited they get to spend time with their people.