Best Dog Breeds for Traveling — Photo Gallery - Vetstreet

There’s a whole world out there to explore. Why not bring along a travel companion who won’t ask, “Are we there yet?” every five minutes?

Before you run out to get your favorite dog breed and hit the open road, there are a few things you’ll need to consider, like the breed’s noisiness, trainability and friendliness — among other things. You don’t want to realize halfway through your trip to the lake that your loud, water-averse canine should’ve been left at home with a sitter or taken to a boarding facility.

Of course, breeding isn’t everything. Lots of other factors, including training and socialization can affect how travel-worthy your dog might be. Curious? Check out our photo gallery to find some of the dogs that can be good matches for people who like to travel.

Fan of the Outdoors? Consider These Breeds

Whether you’re going camping, standup paddleboarding or hiking, outdoor adventures can be even more fun with a furry best friend by your side. It helps if your dog actually enjoys the great outdoors. Hiking aficionados may want to consider a Bloodhound, since he can use his scenting abilities on the trail. Similarly, fishing fans should look into the Portuguese Water Dog, a breed developed for driving fish into nets. Of course, there are plenty of other outdoor-loving breeds: Meet nine more of them here.

If You Love the Water, Consider These Dogs

For many of us, it’s not vacation unless there’s sun, sand and water. And there are plenty of breeds out there who are known for enjoying trips to the ocean, bay, river or lake just as much as you do. For instance, with his weather-resistant coat, energetic disposition and love for getting wet, the versatile Labrador Retriever is an obvious choice. Here are eight other breeds that may enjoy living on the water.

If you have your eyes set on a pup of a water-loving breed, then you should probably steer clear of water-shy dogs. While they may thoroughly enjoy hanging in your beach house or strolling along the shoreline, they may not be so thrilled about getting wet.

Look for Quiet Dog Breeds; Avoid Noisy Dog Breeds

Traveling often means staying in hotels, campsites or RV parks with thin walls and lots of neighbors. This could be a recipe for disaster if you have a dog who barks to his heart’s content. Your best bet is choosing a travel companion that tends to be quiet. We surveyed 218 veterinary professionals to get their takes on the breeds who aren’t known for being barkers, and here’s how they responded. Some dogs that made the list, like the Collie, may surprise you.

You don’t want to risk getting noise complaints about your canine; you should probably avoid Chihuahuas, Beagles and these nine other noisy breeds.

Look for a Dog That's Easy to Train

When you take a dog on the road with you, he should be on his best behavior. He’ll probably be interacting with people he doesn’t know in unfamiliar environments. Your trip is much more likely to go smoothly if your dog listens to your commands and obeys them. Looking for a breed that will hopefully take training in stride? Consider the Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer or one of these trainable dog breeds.

Look for a Friendly Dog Breed

Some dog breeds are thought to behave better among strangers. That’s important when you’re traveling — you’re going to meet a lot of strangers! From the gregarious Golden Retriever to the easygoing Boston Terrier, these dog breeds tend to be friendly and affable.

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