Some dogs are born to run. Take them to an open space and they’re off, wearing a look of utter bliss on their faces.

It’s tough to say with any authority which breeds are the best runners. Generalizations about breeds always have exceptions. And dogs have their own unique personalities—some crave activity, others are more sedentary. Dogs also tend to need—and want—less exercise as they age.  Environment and conditioning also play a role. A dog used to access to wide-open space, for example will crave it; those raised in a smaller space will adapt and need less.

Still, some breeds love to run more than others. If your dog is one of these breeds, be sure you provide enough time and space for some dashing around. A dog with pent-up energy tends to be destructive—mostly out of boredom.

The fastest runners—such as greyhounds and whippets—need space to sprint, but they usually don’t have a lot of stamina. They’ll race around and then tire quickly.

Other breeds don’t need to run at full speed but can run for a long time, making them ideal for joggers and hikers. According to The Runner’s Resource, Weimaraners, Siberian Huskies and Vizslas are ideal for runners because they love to run and possess the stamina to handle a long jog.

Runners probably want to avoid running with herding dogs, such as shepherds, even though these breeds love to run. But unless they’re well trained, they will keep bumping their owners and trying to herd them.

In terms of pure love of—and talent for—running, the following five breeds are tough to top.

Boxer. These active dogs need a lot of regular exercise. They can wear you out trying to wear them out. With longs legs and slim, muscular bodies, they run well and keep going and going and going. Their flat noses can make breathing an issue after a while, but they have surprising stamina. And when they don’t get their runs in, they can really make a mess.

Coonhound. Constantly curious and just as often in need of hard exercise, the coonhound (which includes a number of breeds, such as Black and Tan, Bluetick and Redbone), is born to run. In a doggy marathon, they’d be hard to beat. Known to be independent and somewhat stubborn, they need to do a lot of running or they can be aggressive and destructive.

Dalmatian. The classic firehouse dog, Dalmatians were a great choice for that job because they’re strong and possess extraordinary stamina. They love to run and can go for as long as you let them. Their muscular bodies make them outstanding runners, and they need to run frequently or they’ll get temperamental, especially with other dogs.

Doberman Pinscher. This breed suffers a reputation for being dangerous and aggressive. Though originally trained as guard dogs, they have been softened in recent decades through breeding. Still, Dobermans are strong and athletic, and put their muscles to work as great runners. Their determined temperaments fuel their physical stamina, which is why in movies we see them continuing to chase the bad guys (and sometimes the good guys) when other breeds would give up. Give your Doberman frequent opportunities to run.

Australian Cattle Dog. Though smaller than the other dogs on the list, this breed can keep up with all of them. Bred to herd cattle over long distances, they will rarely show fatigue. If you’re ready to go, they are too. Australian Cattle Dogs are excellent runners and would be the hurdlers on our doggie track team. They’re best known for their agility and can lick any obstacle course.

So these are our picks. Of course, we could many other breeds that are born to run. Tell us about your own dog’s love of running.