Best dog breed for the 'outdoors'? (For new dog owner too)

[Asherah]

Is there a way to train them so that behavior is easily or somewhat easily contained? I'd rather them not go after an animal whenever we're out and about haha.
Are Huskies and Malamutes behavior very similar? And is the shedding season for both too (yes probably lol).



Labs were my main choice at first since I heard so many good things about them and that's what I'll probably lean to for a first dog if I'm not comfortable yet when it comes to training other dogs with stronger drives. And thanks for the input about the hiking and such, I just really want a friend that could go with me whenever and will just be there for me in general haha.

Don't be deceived about a Lab not having strong drives. They are hunting dogs and have exceedingly strong responses and are obsessive ( I own one as well) in terms of ease of train-ability the GSD was worlds easier than my Lab. The GSD is less than two and will quickly and happily respond to training and commands that I am still failing at teaching the lab, who is 4, to do. She's also still very high energy and I imagine she will be until the day she dies. Don't get me wrong the Lab is a fantastic animal and ours is a great family pet and a great hunting dog, but I would not categorize a lab as "having a lower drive."
My lab is an awesome companion for my son and totally adores him. She's a wacky fun thing and was relatively easy to train. She's got a bag of tricks a mile long and loves doing them and is people oriented. She's never met a stranger.
Labs are double coated as well and she shed's worse than the GSD!
Frankly as a hiking companion my lab sucks. She's constantly distracted by everything and everyone (the OH MY EGERED I HAVE TO GO MEET THEM/GO GET IT NOW) and is unpleasant to walk on leash. I constantly have to correct her and she's stubborn enough to ignore multiple corrections in favor of what she wants. This has been my experience with every lab I have ever owned, which is to date three. I love my ball of hyper fattness, but lots of people that get a lab are deceived about what kind of dog they really are. Whatever you get make sure to do research and reading before diving in, if possible go and meet the dog.

Had to edit: reread and it seems like I'm bashing labs which I'm totally not! Just comparison and contrast of the dogs I have owned and their personalities.