Can Dogs Climb Trees? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

Everyone knows that cats can climb trees like nobody’s business (it’s the getting-down thing they sometimes need the fire department’s help with). But can their canine counterparts scale a mighty oak, too?

While you’re unlikely to catch a St. Bernard in a tree, some particularly athletic breeds can climb trees if motivated enough. Read on to learn more.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Climb Trees?

Climbing trees isn’t a typical activity for dogs, but that doesn’t mean they won’t if they have the physical ability and are afforded the opportunity and incentive.

Dogs generally don’t climb trees because they’re just not built for doing so. Their strong legs are designed for endurance, not for scaling timber. They needed to evolve to run more than they needed to climb, so their legs weren’t designed to bend around things the way a cat or bear can. Additionally, their nails are not up to the task. Canine nails are thick and strong, but they’re not able to penetrate wood as easily as cats can with their sharp claws.

Which Dog Breeds Can Climb Trees?

As you can imagine, tree climbing isn’t a hobby that every dog can master. We are generally only talking about making it up to the first branches and not the lofty heights of the tree. Only a handful of breeds can take their adventures into arboreal pursuits.

1. Catahoula Leopard Dogs

Catahoula Leopard Dogs are a medium-large breed originating in the United States. They were used as working dogs to track and drive cattle and hogs from swamplands. As renowned hunters, these agile pups can scale trees in pursuit of their prey.

2. Border Collies

Border Collies are not only the most intelligent dog breed (at least according to the leading expert in canine intelligence), but they’re also one of the most energetic. The Border Collie is a descendant of the traditional sheepdog that once roamed the British Isles. They are typically kept as working dogs and are happy to spend their days herding sheep. It is their seemingly inexhaustible thirst for physical activity that makes the Border Collie able to climb a tree.

3. Treeing Walker Coonhounds

The Treeing Walker Coonhound earned their name honestly as they are one of the few breeds that can climb trees. Initially developed in the United States to hunt raccoons, these medium-sized dogs will also hunt other game, including bears, bobcats, and cougars. They aren’t afraid to chase their prey up a tree and follow them up there if they feel it is necessary.

4. Jack Russell Terriers

Jack Russell Terriers are one of the smallest dog breeds capable of tree climbing. They typically weigh between 9 to 15 pounds on average, making their trek up the tree a little simpler than some of the other larger dogs on our list. The breed was initially developed in Britain to be used as fox hunters, and modern Jack Russells still maintain their dedicated working and hunting skills.

5. Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a Belgian breed of herding dog whose working skills don’t stop in the field. This intelligent breed often finds work as assistance dogs, detection dogs, guide dogs, and police dogs. They have a lot of energy to burn and require anywhere from one to two hours of exercise daily. Their favorite activities include walking, hiking, running, and, apparently, climbing trees.

6. New Guinea Singing Dog

Although you won’t find a New Guinea Singing Dog at your local rescue or any breeders specializing in this breed, these wild dogs, similar to the dingo, are one of the best at climbing trees. Native to the forests on the island of New Guinea, they were thought to be extinct for 50 years. However, trail cameras have recently caught proof of their existence. Experts surmise there are only around 200 to 300 individuals left in their native island habitat. These animals are fascinating as they have very flexible spines and the ability to rotate their front and hind paws more than their domesticated counterparts, which is why they are excellent tree climbers.

Why Do Dogs Climb Trees?

A dog may choose to climb a tree for several reasons. For example, they may be in hot pursuit of prey that has run to the tree to find a safe haven, or they might be in the middle of a quality zoomies session and not even realize they’ve scaled a tree in their attempt to burn off excess energy.

Final Thoughts

While tree climbing isn’t the norm for dogs, there are certainly some outlier breeds that will ascend one if given the opportunity and possess the physical skills. The only reason you don’t see dogs in trees as often as cats is that their bodies are just not designed to tackle such tasks.

Featured Image Credit: Kebal Oleksandra, Shutterstock