Most any dog will make a good partner; hiking or other wise. Make sure the dog knows you are the pack leaders and then make sure you train your pup on leash and off lead, if you will choose to do this (and make sure the dog will obey commands off lead before you are in the woods and the dog is off to the races after a deer or whatever!) Also remember a black/darker colored dog heats up quicker than a lighter colored dog. Yeah personal experience Lab mix times 2 over time.

The lab mix I walk with is good; he is having some issues needed to rehab after a neck injury.