25 Best Dog Breeds For Outside Life (Our Picks For Best Outdoor Dog Breeds Go To…)

The best outdoor dog breeds as related to climate conditions. This article is based on a Temperate climate with cool to cold winters. Think of Southern Canada or the Northern United States of America, kind of climate. After some serious research, we’ve come up with a list of dog breeds that make the most sense for outdoor life. We’ve focused on Mid-North America as our ‘control group.

How I Rank Dog Breeds

When determining the best dog breeds for outside life, we analyze many aspects of the breed. We look at the dogs’ size, climate zone suitability, and behavior as the three main deciding factors when we rank dog breeds as suitable for the outdoors. The rank scale is 1 for not suitable and 10 for perfectly suited for outdoor life.

Dog Size Matters For The Best Dogs For Outdoor Living

Dog size determines the dogs’ ability to ward off predators. A Chihuahua will have a hard time fending off a coyote, for example. I have only chosen breeds for this list which are medium to large breeds. This will ensure the best chance of survival. Again, we recommend if you do decide to keep a dog outside, that you keep at least two dogs together. This will help to avoid any dog behavioral issues caused by the dog being lonely.

The other consideration with the size is heat retention. The larger the mass, the longer it takes to change temperature. By size alone, larger dogs are better suited, to a certain point of view that is. On the flip side, smaller animals take less time to warm up. But, this isn’t a case of big dogs vs small dogs, is it?

Climate Zones Of Earth – Understanding What A Dog Breed Can Tolerate

As I am certain you are aware, there are many climate zones on Earth. Many of these climate zones are cool to cold and a dog house is definitely a good idea. Making sure that the dog house is suited to the particular climate zone is a smart move or it defeats the purpose. Here’s a rundown of the basic climate zones here on Earth.

Arctic, Polar, And Tundra Climate Zones

Arctic, Polar, and Tundra climates are cold for the majority of the year.  They usually only see a few months of the year above freezing, and some barely that.  If you live in this sort of climate, then when choosing the best dog breed for outside living in your area, you should only look at breeds suited for the extreme cold. This is the coldest of regions of the Earth and is only suited to breeds specifically bred for this climate such as Huskies for example.

Temperate Climate Zones

Boreal Forest

Much of Asia and North America are covered by Boreal Forest.  This is the vast expanse below the tundra and is one of the Earth’s great sources of fresh oxygen.  The Boreal forests are usually below freezing for 4 to 6 months of the year. Winters can be harsh for small breeds or thin-coated breeds. A dog house heater is a great idea to keep your dog comfortable when they spend time outdoors.

Mountains

As the height or altitude increases, so the temperate drops.  Higher altitude climates are characterized by typically higher winds and cooler temperatures than lower altitudes.  Winters can be harsh for small breeds or thin-coated breeds.

Grasslands and Temperate Forests

The Temperate forests and grasslands typically have warm summers and cool winters.  The precipitation is usually year-round, with either rain or snow depending on the season.  Winters can be harsh for small breeds or thinly coated breeds. However, breeds like the Old English Sheepdog or the Saarloos Wolfdog both do well in this sort of climate.

Tropical Climate Zones

Deserts and Dry Grasslands

Deserts and dry grasslands are hot, dry, and have either seasonal rain or minimal rain.  Not suitable for heavy coat dog breeds.

Tropical Grasslands and Rainforests

Tropical grasslands and rainforests are hot, medium to heavy precipitation, and typically lush with life.  Night temperatures only drop to cool at the lowest.  Not suitable for heavy coat dog breeds. Dog breeds like the Basenji do well in this climate.

Behavior

Dogs are pack animals. Period. When we are analyzing breeds for the top dog breeds for outside life, we need to take the behavior into account. Dogs don’t like to be alone. Despite this fact, we’ve hand-picked a variety of breeds that are typically more confident and independent than other breeds. This is important for dogs who live outside so they can avoid behavioral problems. We strongly recommend that if you are considering keeping a dog outside that you make sure you have at least 2 dogs so they have company. Leaving a dog alone outside is considered cruel by some.

Best Dog Breeds For Outside Life In Temperate Climates

Dog Breeds For Outside Life Temperament and Climate Chart

Top 5 Best Dog Breeds For Outside Life In Temperate Climates

Siberian Husky

A solid Husky can stand up to 24” at the shoulder, making them an excellent guard dog against most predators.  They are loving, affectionate dogs with a high level of intelligence. This intelligence makes them inquisitive, highly trainable, and mischievous.  Siberians have a powerful body and have been bred to work as sled dogs in the extreme cold of the far north. This has given the breed a high amount of stamina and energy which can make them challenging to keep up with.  

Due to this high energy, it is best to make sure they have lots of room to run around, but keep the fence solid and high or they will keep running. Siberians are known for their running abilities, never underestimate these beautiful, naturally clean dogs. They are one of our top favorites for the best dog breeds for outside life.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Large and powerful, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a solid working dog.  They can stand upwards of 28” making them quite intimidating should any predator wander near, except for maybe a bear.  The Bernese Mountain Dog has a thick coat whit helps keep it warm in cooler climates. Originally bred for the mountain slopes and higher altitude pastures of Switzerland, these dogs are well-suited for cool temperate climates.  They are gentle and majestic with a hint of confidence to boot.

Samoyed

The Samoyed is a beautiful and functional breed.  They possess a white, thick coat that protects them gracefully from the cold.  These dogs are perfectly suited for temperate and cool climates. Samoyeds are intelligent, confident, and social dogs prone to mischief like Huskies.  The Samoyed is best not kept alone in solitude, as this will definitely cause them to be destructive and ill-behaved due to their intelligence. Samoyeds are also good defenders as they typically stand up to 24” in height which makes coyotes no match for a full-grown Samoyed.

Alaskan Malamute

A larger cousin to the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute also comes from a far north heritage.  Alaskans are large and powerful with a thick and seemingly weatherproof coat. Malamutes stand up to 25” at the shoulder which again makes them quite formidable to all but bears in temperate and cool climates.  They are affectionate and loyal, intelligent and highly trainable, like their cousins.

The Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees are another mountain dog breed well suited to temperate and cooler climates.  No stranger to higher altitudes, the Great Pyrenees is a large breed, often standing upwards of 32” at the shoulder.  They are formidable, steadfast, and beautiful guards with a thick weatherproof coat making them perfect to stay out on cooler days.  The Great Pyrenees is a calm and loyal dog breed but does not let its size fool you, they are fast to act when danger arises.