10 Total MVP Dog Breeds

It’s Homecoming season, which means it’s time for athletes of all stripes to shine — whether playing catch at the park or fetching balls on a football field. That’s right: Some of the greatest athletes among us are of the canine variety, and they are just waiting to show off how fun they are to their new pet parents. 

It also happens to be Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and in its honor, Adopt a Pet and the PEDIGREE® brand have teamed up to find forever homes for energetic dogs in need. (Don’t worry, we’re celebrating couch potatoes, too.) When you adopt this month and share your adoption story with Adopt a Pet, you’ll be entered to win a $4,000 donation to a shelter of your choice, a Wisdom Panel™ Premium dog DNA test, and a professional Homecoming-style photo shoot with your new pup.

Read on to learn about 10 lively dog breeds who are MVPs each and every day. Then search Adopt a Pet to find these adoptable dogs (and their just-as-incredible mixes) near you.

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1. Siberian Husky

And Siberian Husky mixes

You may know the Siberian Husky as a sled dog, and that’s for a good reason. Inuits bred Huskies to pull humans across vast distances, and they’ve pretty much been doing that ever since. These gentle, gorgeous dogs — we dare you not to fall in love with Husky mixes — are the ultimate long-distance runners. They need pet parents who can keep up with their considerable exercise needs.

Oleksii Syrotkin / Stocksy/

2. Australian Shepherd

And Australian Shepherd mixes

Australian Shepherds are known for being hardworking and difficult to exhaust. They need at least an hour or two of exercise each day. These dogs were bred to herd livestock and kept many a cowboy company through long hours of work. Today they can do it all, from dog sports to running and beyond.

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3. Vizsla

And Vizsla mixes

These dogs were bred for pointing and retrieving, but they also have great endurance and energy for running and hiking activities. Vizslas are known as “Velcro dogs,” so with solid recall training, you won’t need to worry about them running off if you’re on an off-leash trail either. Consider them your loyal new jogging buddy.

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4. Border Collie

And Border Collie mixes

Border Collies are some of the most energetic, smart, and athletic dogs out there. Like the Australian Shepherd, the Border Collie was bred to herd livestock, so these working dogs are tireless whether or not they’re on a farm or not. They do need plenty of exercise every day, so prepare to get off your couch a lot.

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5. Rhodesian Ridgeback

And Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes

It’s impossible not to be impressed by the fact that the Rhodesian Ridgeback’s main job in Africa, their country of origin, was tracking lions. Thanks to their lithe form and boundless energy, these pups make for fun running buddies who can keep up with your pace.

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6. Boykin Spaniel

And Spaniel mixes

Originally trained to be water-hunting dogs, Boykin Spaniels are particularly adept at swimming, but they’re also great athletes on land. These fast learners are typically up for learning new activities. So they are great partners for those interested in dog sports such as dock diving and agility activities.

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7. Pit Bulls

And Pit Bull mixes

While Pit Bulls may appear intimidating, beneath their imposing, muscular physiques, they are actually sweet, intelligent, and loyal pups. When trained properly, they make fantastic, athletically gifted companions. These high-energy dogs need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, ranging from running to playing to other stimulating activities.

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8. Newfoundland

And Newfoundland mixes

If you do a lot of activity on water (such as swimming or surfing), this long-coated water dog could be the ideal pup for you. They’re known for their endurance and never get sick of the water. This is because Newfoundlands were bred for pulling in fishing nets and other heavy equipment — and have even been known to rescue people from drowning.

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9. English Setter

And English Setter mixes

Want to split your time between the beach and the trail? English Setters are great for those interested in all kinds of athletic activities, and love to do them alongside their pet parents.

Robert / AdobeStock/

10. Foxhounds

And Foxhound mixes

Foxhounds are known for running many a mile in pursuit of a scent. The English aristocracy hunted with them in packs for that very reason. These friendly, active pups love to run in open, populated areas. And thankfully they’re bred to focus, so they (generally) won’t spook easily.

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How to celebrate Homecoming season

If you’re thinking about shaking up your routine with a fun, playful, active pup (and who wouldn’t), check out Adopt a Pet to meet your future furry BFF. You can search by location, gender, even age and size. Then, remember to share your adoption story with us to enter to win a DNA test, star in a pet-and-pet-parent photo shoot, and make a generous donation to your favorite animal shelter.