Breed
Some breeds have endurance running in their genes, while others are best suited for a couch lifestyle.
Breeds like the Weimaraner, Dalmatian, Rhodesian Ridgeback, English Springer Spaniel, Huskies, or Samoyeds can walk or run long distances with little training. It’s because these dogs have been specifically bred to perform running-related activities.
For example, Dalmatians have originally been used as hunting and carriage dogs, while Huskies and Samoyeds are prized for their sled-pulling abilities.
On the other hand, some breeds – most notably, brachycephalic dogs like Pugs or Frenchies – have difficulties with breathing and can barely keep up with you for 30 minutes at a time. If you want to take your doggo hiking, low-stamina breeds like these are not the right choice for you.
Fitness level
Even if you have the finest Husky specimen in the world, the dog won’t run you a marathon if you don’t properly train him. Also, a protein-rich diet is key to excellent physical performance – if you feed your doggo low-quality food with deficient amounts of nutrients, he may struggle to walk a mere mile.
Poor diet and exercise will lead to a bunch of other health issues, but that’s beside the point.
Want to take your dog on full-day hikes? Be responsible and physically prepare him for the trip. You probably will need to undergo some kind of conditioning yourself to be able to make the hike – your dog likewise needs preparation, no matter how strong their genetic predisposition to long distances is.
Trail difficulty
Trails laden with slopes and turns are going to knock the breath out of you (and your dog) much quicker. When it comes to mileage, a more challenging trail will reduce the distance covered by your dog. A difficult hike may last shorter, but it will have a higher intensity and will thus be more straining on your dog.