9 of the Best Dog Breeds for Playing Frisbee

By John Martin - August 11, 2022

Border Collie catching frisbee

Not many dogs can play Frisbee as they do not possess the qualities of an athletic dog. Playing Frisbee and catching a ball and more such activities is great for your pup. But not every dog is an athlete, and some lazy pups cannot play even if you force them.

Here are the 9 best dog breed that you can get if you are looking for a dog to play Frisbee. This is a great way to connect with your pup and show them your loving and caring side. So, without any wait, learn about these breeds and select which one you want to play Frisbee with!

What Makes a Dog Good at Frisbee?

Not every dog can be good at playing Frisbee. There are different breeds having different strengths and purposes of serving. There are sporting dogs that are usually trained to hunt.

Then there are small breeds, non-sporting dogs, and also the lazy ones. For example, to play Frisbee, it is important that your dog is not lazy and is alert and fast so that it can catch the Frisbee fast.

It would be best if you had an athletic dog that could play Frisbee with you. In 2018, the scientists studied the DNA of a dog and compared the DNAs of twenty-one sporting and twenty-seven terrier dogs.

The research shows that there are fifty-nine genes that create an athletic dog. And these are linked with characteristics such as blood flow, muscle strength, heart rate, and more.

Whippet dogs are a good example. They have TRPM3 gene mutation that affects their contraction of blood vessels, which improves the oxygen delivery during exercise or training. To stop being startled by loud noises, the usual hunting dogs now have two gene mutations which as CDH23 and MSRB3.

Then this study also showed that a sporting dog needs to have high agility to be good at Frisbee. The agility is more mental than physical.

So, to conclude, a dog needs to be agile, fast, sharp, and have high energy levels. A pup with athleticism and from the sporting and herding breed group is someone you should look for, as these are the characteristics that make them good at Frisbee.

Border Collie

Border Collie jumping for frisbee

Border Collies originates from Northumberland that is an English country alongside the Scottish border. These dogs are also known as Scotch Collies, Highland Collies, Northern Sheepdogs, and Welsh Sheepdogs.

Border Collie Appearance

Border Collie stands tall at 18 inches to 22 inches and weighs anywhere between 30 pounds to 45 pounds. They have a life span of 10 years to 15 years.

These dogs have sable merle, tan, red, blue merle, chocolate, white, black, and lilac colors. In addition, they have thick, double coats.

Border Collie Temperament

Border Collie is a very driven and focused breed. These dogs are extremely intelligent, energetic, and expressive.

They are very responsive to their training and loyal to their owner. These pups are great with active families that have children, live on a farm, rural areas, competitive dog trainers, and experienced dog handlers.

Also Read: 15 Dog Breeds That Can Jump High

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois is a breed registered in France and Belgium and was bred around the Malines city. This breed is also known as Chien de Berger Belge and Malinois.

Belgian Malinois Appearance

They usually have red, mahogany, brindle, cream, brown, gray, liver, sable, and black colored coats. Their life span lies on average between 12 years to 14 years.

These dogs are 22 inches to 26 inches tall and weigh around 40 pounds to 65 pounds. This breed has a short furry coat.

Belgain Malinois Temperament

Belgian Malinois is an intelligent and independent dog that needs attention. This breed is extremely loyal to its owner and reserved around strangers.

They are very swift and alert dogs that can become great watchdogs. They are great with owners that have extremely active lifestyles, are experienced, and have huge homes with yards.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever playing frisbee

The Golden Retriever dogs are also known as retrievers. This breed has a long story and is usually connected with England, the United Kingdom, and Scotland.

Golden Retriever Appearance

A Golden Retriever has a height somewhere between 21 inches to 24 inches. They weigh around 55 pounds to 75 pounds and have a life expectancy of 10 years to 12 years.

These dogs are available in strawberry blonde, rust, and red colors. They have long, luxurious coats that need regular brushing.

Golden Retriever Temperament

A Golden Retriever is a very affectionate puppy and is caring towards its owners. They are very outgoing and friendly dogs but skeptical of others.

This breed is sensitive and needs attentive owners. They are fit for all families, love active owners, and can play with them and train them.

Whippet (Ashley Whippet)

White Whippets playing

Ashley Whippet is a Whippet dog that was first owned by Alex Stein from Ohio, USA. This dog has won the first three Frisbee World Championships in 1975, 1976 and 1977.

Whippet Appearance

The Whippet dog breed stands between 18 inches to 22 inches tall and weighs approximately 18 pounds to 48 pounds. This breed has a life span of 12 years to 15 years.

They are available in white, red, blue, fawn, black, brindle, and cream colors. Their coats have patterns, spots, blazes, and patches all over them.

Whippet Temperament

Whippets love to spend time with others if socialized properly. This breed loves to exercise, runs outside frequently, and loves walks and runs. They are very loving towards their owners and are known for their agility, intelligence, skills, and love.

Also Read: 15 Amazing Dog Breeds With a High Prey Drive

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever playing

Labrador Retrievers were originally known as St. John’s dogs and now as Labrador or Labs. This dog belongs from the Newfoundland Colony United Kingdom.

Labrador Retriever Appearance

On average, a Labrador Retriever stands tall anywhere between 21.5 inches to 24.5 inches and weighs between 55 pounds to 80 pounds.

They have a life expectancy between 10 years to 12 years. They have short fur and low maintenance coats in cream, brown and black colors that do not tangle much and need very lass brushing but more bath sessions.

Labrador Retriever Temperament

This breed from the 1800s is known to be very patient and obedient. However, they are very active, so training them is quite easy and filled with fun.

The Labrador Retrievers are very loving towards their owners and are gentle and humble as well. This breed is great for companionship and goes well with families, hunters, and water retrieving people.

Australian Shepherd Dog

Australian Shepherd playing with a toy

The Australian Shepherd dog comes from Australia since the 1800s when they were first introduced. These loyal little puppies are also known as Aussies and are popular among herding and working dog breeds.

Australian Shepherd Dog Appearance

Aussies or Australian Shepherd dogs have golden red-toned patches on their coats that are dark brown and white. On average, this dog weighs anywhere between 40 pounds to 65 pounds.

The Aussies have a height between 18 inches to 23 inches while having a life expectancy of 12 years to 14 years. They have tricolor, merle, and bicolor coats that are two-layered and have medium-length wavy or straight hair.

Australian Shepherd Dog Temperament

The Australian Shepherd dogs are very friendly, outgoing, and playful. This breed is very easy to train and groom and tends to chew a lot.

They have a high prey drive, are extremely loyal, and loves to stay in the water. This breed is extremely willful, makes a good hiking companion, and is great for active families and want a huge dog who thinks it is a lap dog.

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer playing with a ball

The German Shorthaired Pointer comes from Germany. This dog has various German names which includes, Deutscher kurzhaariger, Vorstehhund, Deutsch Kurzhaar and Kurzhaar.

German Shorthaired Pointer Appearance

The German Shorthaired Pointers have a very silky and shiny coat, and they stand tall at 23 inches to 25 inches. This dog breed weighs between 55 pounds to 70 pounds.

As the name suggests, they are available in white, liver, black, and roan colors and have shorthaired coats. This breed does not shed much and can easily stay fine with occasional brushing sessions.

German Shorthaired Pointer Temperament

German Shorthaired Pointer is great for hunters looking for a companion and families that want an active and friendly dog. This dog is very friendly and loves to talk a lot.

They are easygoing, filled with energy, and always stay happy. These puppies are agile, active, and are very easy to train and groom.

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle dog is related to one of the most famous wild dogs of Australia called Dingo. This breed comes from Australia and is also usually known as Queensland Heelers or Blue Heelers.

Australian Cattle Dog Appearance

An Australian Cattle Dog generally stands tall between 17 inches to 20 inches while weighing between 35 pounds and 50 pounds. This breed has a lifespan of around 12 years to 16 years.

These pups are available in black, gray, white, blue, and red-colored coats with patches or patterns. This breed completely sheds their coat twice a year but still are very low maintenance and do not require much grooming.

Australian Cattle Dog Temperament

Australian Cattle dogs are exemplarily intelligent in that they even outsmart their owners sometimes. In addition, this breed is a very athletic dog that is fearless, protective, and defensive of its owners.

This breed is also very loyal to its owners, is energetic and mischievous, and is always up to something. They go great with active families, runners and farmers and need high levels of exercise and training.

Also Read: 17 of the Top Blue Heeler Mix Breeds

McNab

McNab dog

McNab dog breed is originated in Hopland, Mendocino County, Northern California. These puppies from the heat, rugged terrain and burrs are sometimes known as McNab Collie or McNab Shepherd.

McNab Appearance

The McNab dogs weigh approximately between 30 pounds to 50 pounds and height between 16 inches to 21 inches on average. This breed has an average lifespan of 13 years to 15 years.

They have black, pied, and red-colored coats having medium-length straight hair, and lightly dense coats. In addition, this breed has hazel, amber, or brown eyes with either black or brown nose.

McNab Temperament

A McNab is known for its unique way of working. This breed is skilled and requires a strong leader for training so that they have consistent training sessions.

They are very loving towards their family, are protective, defensive, and territorial. These dogs require high levels of family time and attention and can also sometimes turn bossy.

So, here we end our list of 9 of the best dog breeds for playing frisbee. These active, energetic, agile, full of love and life pups can bring a great turn to your dull life. So, here, our guide ends; now you can decide which dog you want to get and play your Frisbee games with.