These Photos of Ranch Dogs Will Melt Your Heart

Talk about a great place for dogs! Ranch dogs have it made. These melt your heart photos of ranch dogs definitely make us want to travel.

by Darley Newman

Running alongside horseback riders on the trails, swimming in creeks and streams, getting leftovers dropped at ranch BBQ's and more. Ranch dogs live a good life. While at working ranches, they may be an essential team member, helping in cattle round-ups. At dude ranches, they may be essential "trail members", serving as companions on trail rides, escorts to your cabin and lap warmers during chilly nights by the campfire.

Below is a series of photos of ranch dogs from across the USA that may make you want to hop on a plane.

ruckus ranch dogs tsylos park lodge

Ruckus at Tsylos Park Lodge in British Columbia. This Canadian Adventure Vacation Destination and Wilderness Adventure Lodge has top Fly Fishing, Horseback Riding Vacations and Wildlife Photography.

rainbow trout ranch dogs

Jane with LugNut and HubCap on a morning break with Rainbow Trout Ranch in the southern Colorado Rockies. That is Mustang Sally and Sioux City Sue behind. Photo by Jim Chiboucas.

ranch dogs sundance

One of the bigger critters at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch in Colorado. He doesn't yet know he's gotten too big for laps!

63 ranch dogs

Part of the family at 63 Ranch in Livingston, Montana ranch celebrating over 80 years of original family-ownership and operation.

Elkhorn Ranch arizona dogs

A motley tribe of dogs along the trails at Elkhorn Ranch, an Arizona Dude Ranch Association member, in the Baboquivari Mountains southwest of Tucson, Arizona.

hideout ranch dogs

A fearless trail leader at Hideout Ranch,  on the Arizona-New Mexico border.

western pleasure guest ranch dogs

Buster, a guest favorite, at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch in 16 miles NE of Sandpoint, Idaho in North Idaho’s scenic panhandle.

Learn more about great dude ranches and guest ranches where you can hang with the big dogs in the Equitrekking Vacation Guide and Top20Ranches.com.