7 Best Frisbee Dogs for Playing Fetch

Best dog breeds for frisbee

Playing frisbee with your dog can be relaxing, but also a very beneficial experience for both of you. Remember that you too are exercising along with your K9, which is always a bonus for keeping fit and healthy. 

Yet, just like us humans aren’t great at every sport, not all doggies have the skills to catch a flying disc-shaped object mid-air.

In the past, dogs were bred for a specific task. Whether it's guarding, hunting, or herding — this variety left us today with some K9s that excel at specific things and fail at others in the most amusing ways.

So, if you want a head start with a natural-born flying disc dog, we’ve put together the best Frisbee dogs on the planet — keep reading to find out more.

7 Dogs That Catch Frisbees Like a Natural

Fancy a game of catch with your canine? Here are our favorite dogs that play fetch with a Frisbee.

No.1 – Border Collie

World-renowned for their intelligence, the Border Collie is the ultimate Frisbee dog. Super fast and a most agile dog breed, these canines have the inherent ability to jump, switch direction in a heartbeat, and run fast.

Admittedly, their high energy may be too much for some people. They also take their herding heritage seriously — if you’ve got small kids, they may round them up like their very own flock. Yet, Border Collies are quick learners, love to please, and they love their family.

So, if you have activity levels to match the Border Collie’s pace, this breed could be your match for a game of Frisbee fetch.

No.2 – Belgian Malinois

Also known as the Belgian Shepherd, this is a very smart herding dog breed with a strong instinct to chase — anything that moves, including Frisbees. They’re incredibly loyal canines and will do anything to please their humans. So, if retrieving a Frisbee is the aim of your game, they’ll be more than happy to oblige. 

Due to their strength and tenacity, they’re extensively used by military and police forces all around the world. Seeing how agile the Belgian Malinois is, don’t be surprised when you see them make some amazing acrobatic moves to catch the Frisbee mid-air.

However, they do require plenty of stimulation, both mentally and physically. Hence, the Belgian Malinois isn’t the best low maintenance dog for first time owners.

No.3 – Golden Retriever

Trust us from our own experience, Golden Retrievers are pretty awesome for any type of fetch game. Our dog loves chasing just about anything and will happily return the toy for another go, and another — for hours at a time! This is a loving, kid-friendly dog breed that enjoys playing with their owners in every possible way. 

Bear in mind, they do have a thick double coat that sheds a lot, which means they’re not great if you have allergies. And, you’ll have to go steady on the treats and scraps — Goldens love their food and are prone to weight gain.

Yet, if you’re looking for a sweet and gentle large family dog that loves playing fetch and makes a great Frisbee dog — the Golden Retriever is the one to go for!

No.4 – Australian Shepherd Dog

Australian Shepherds are super active and thus very energetic doggies that thrive on keeping busy. Most of all, they enjoy open grounds where they can happily run for hours. These dogs are very fast and nimble, which makes them one of the best fetch dogs for Frisbee! 

A herder K9 that’s above average intelligence and great around humans. Yet Aussies don’t do so well if they’re left home alone for too long — they become bored very rapidly, and destructive behavior is likely. 

But, if you’re an uber-active ‘pack’ with plenty of time for a family-friendly pet that excels in any kind of outdoor pursuit — the Aussie Shepherd is a worthy contender.

Australian shepherd frisbee.

No.5 – Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are intelligent, easy to train, and everyone-is-their-friend dogs. With their athletic prowess and outgoing personality, they’re an awesome companion for every kind of outdoor activity. Whether you like to run, swim, or walk for hours, Labs will always keep up with you.

Being a very active dog breed, they’re happiest when they get a lot of exercise on a daily basis. And, as they’re loyal, family-oriented canines, they don’t like being excluded from their humans either. 

Yet, with their playful temperament, they’re perfect for playing any type of fetch game. Hence, Labs are natural Frisbee catching dogs.

No.6 — (Jack) Russell Terrier

It’s not just larger breeds that make good Frisbee dogs. Take the Russell Terrier for example, this small dog isn’t the most obvious contender, but they’re non-stop, nimble-pawed, and game for a game or two — a perfect combo for playing fetch. 

These robust little canines were originally bred for fox hunting, so they have a strong prey drive — and love to chase. Russells are also smart, so they’ll soon master Frisbee for dogs. However, they do get bored quickly, and despite their size, they’re too active to be a suitable apartment dog

That said, if you want a little Frisbee dog with a larger-than-life personality, the Russell Terrier will not disappoint.

No.7 — Whippet

Among the fastest dog breeds, the Whippet won’t have a hard time chasing down your Frisbee. Looking like a mini version of the Greyhound, they can pick up the pace when they need to. 

With their natural instinct to race off in hot pursuit of prey, you’ll have no worries getting your pooch interested in playing catch. In fact, Frisbee and Flyball are ideal ways of ensuring these masters of speed get the exercise they need.  

Yet, while renowned for lightning speeds, Whippets are actually pretty chilled dogs — once they’ve burnt all that energy. They’re low-maintenance, great with kids and other dogs, and playful — ideal for fledgling Frisbee players.

What Makes These K9s the Best Frisbee Dog Breeds?

Every one of these catch dog breeds on our list was bred and created for working around humans and assisting them with different types of animals. Due to their heritage, all of them have a strong natural hunting instinct too. And, being around their human owners for centuries has made them become great family pets that enjoy plenty of playing.

Herding breeds like the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, and the Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) are fast and agile for rounding up animals. Goldens and Labs were bred for the retrieval of animals during hunting. And, even the smaller breeds, like the Jack Russell Terrier or the sighthound Whippet, were bred to chase and hunt. 

You can see how their genetics allow these K9s to be great at chasing, catching, and fetching. Because they were always around humans, all of them are very loyal and dedicated to their owners.

Are All Working Breeds Good Frisbee Dogs?

The short answer is no. Not every active K9 can excel at the game of fetch. 

For a game of catching a Frisbee, a dog has to be:

  • Athletic and agile. 

  • High energy/active.

  • Instinctively want to chase/retrieve. 

Without these main traits, you’re most likely to see other breeds of dogs soon lose interest in chasing a simple flying disc-shaped toy. 

Another important trait is inherent intelligence. Without this, you’ll most likely find it difficult to teach your dog to play with you. You can expect lots of frustrating sessions where your pet simply refuses to bring the toy back to you. Intelligent pooches quickly learn what they need to do — and this is what makes them the best fetching dogs.

To learn more, check out our guide on How To Teach Your Dog to Play Frisbee.

Conclusion


Not all dogs are created equal, so when it comes to playing a game of fetch, some will perform better than others. In that, some breeds are natural-born Frisbee dogs. Our top seven list of K9s shows which breeds are best for chasing and retrieving Frisbee toys. 

Sure, others can be taught, although don’t expect to see fancy mid-air catches or any amazing acrobatic moves. Nevertheless, training your own pet can be a very rewarding experience — in knowing that you turned your pooch into one of the best Frisbee dogs.

Frisbee Dog Breeds FAQs

What Is the Best Frisbee Dog?

Based on Skyhoundz World Championship records, the current top dog is an Australian Shepherd (Open Division). For Classic Sport, a Border Collie, and in the small dog classifications, it's a Mini Aussie Shepherd. 

Are Frisbees OK for Dogs?

Yes. Providing you use a dog-specific Frisbee and one that’s suitably sized. Very often, discs for humans are too heavy to be caught by dogs safely. 

Why Do Dogs Like Frisbees So Much?

Throwing a Frisbee triggers their instincts to chase. And, while a ball will swiftly return to the ground, a Frisbee doesn’t (if you throw it properly). Hence, its design allows your dog to catch it mid-air. Something that isn’t as easily achievable with your regular tennis ball. Every successful catch will spur your dog on to play more. 

What Are the Worst Dog Breeds That Don’t Play Fetch?

Bulldogs and Frenchies don’t make the best catch dogs. Their stocky build isn’t ideal for running long distances after a ball or Frisbee. They’re also a flat-faced breed, so they’re prone to breathing difficulties. Not to mention, these dogs prefer a slower pace.

What Else Can I Use for Dogs That Fetch?

Another great toy for playing fetch is an automatic ball launcher. These can keep your pet exercising all by itself even when you’re not around or simply don’t have free time to play. To find out more, check out our guide on the Best Automatic Ball Throwers.