Running with a dog

julezc · Aug 28, 2007

I am new to this forum and back from a 4 year break from running from an ITB injury that is still a little noticeable. I am currently doing the C25K program. My question is concerning running with a dog vs running alone. Before I was injured I "babysat" 2 dogs for a friend for 8 months. They were both considered mutts, the breed difficult to tell. I was taking them running with me and although they were siblings, only one of them could go 2-3 miles without me having to take him back home. I am wanting to get my own dog and really would like to take him/her running with me. What breeds are known to enjoy running? 
Any help would be appreciated! 
Julezc

Jill · Aug 29, 2007

Hello Julezc! Congrats on returning to running! I love running with my dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and he loves running with me. I know of some Ridgeback owners who take their dogs on 20 mile runs, but I'm not at that mileage. The furthest I run right now is 4.5 miles, working my way towards 5.

mykemp1971 · Aug 29, 2007

Mixes that are big, but not too big are probably a good choice. 
I have a GSP German Shorthaired Pointer (probably a mix - he's from a GSP rescue), and he runs really well. I just started taking him on runs over 1 mile. I waited per our vet's reccomendation until he was about 14 months old before I started 'really' running him. 
We got Jaeger when he was about 7 months old. I started running him about 1/2 mile once or twice a week when he was about 8 months old. Other times, I kept him active by playing fetch, walking him, dog park to run and play etc. 
He ran 4 miles with me last Thursday at about 7:55 min/mile pace. He probably could have gone further and faster. I plan to work him up to 10-12 miles by the end of the winter. I've heard of people taking them up to 20 miles also.

riley0003 · Aug 29, 2007

I had a friend with 2 border collies that would run 5 miles with her in the mornings, and then again 5 miles in the evening with her husband! Amazing dogs. My little french bulldogs run about 25 feet and then lie there waiting for me to carry them, hahaha. They're built for couches, not speed. 
Susan

slow_n_steady · Aug 29, 2007

I have a is a border collie cross and she is the most amazing runner I have ever seen. The dog is tireless. I ran 25 km with her on Sunday and she never flagged even for a moment. She does have a very thick woolly coat, she we get her shaved right down very short in the spring so she doesn't overheat. 
Border collies are working dogs and are bred to run many miles in a day, but they can be very intense and really need some "work" to do. I am positive our dogs thinks of running as ehr "work" becuse when she is running with us she is very focused and not looking at other dogs or people and heeling perfectly. Take her for a plain old walk and she is terrible on the leash....not working. She also takes her tennis ball fetching very seriously as well. 
Before this dog we had two labrador retrievers. They were good runners up to about 10 or 12 km as long as it wasn't too warm out.

drunningman · Aug 29, 2007

julezc, there are several breeds that are good for running. First determine what type of space you have for a dog. Once you pick a size of dog you want you can narrow it down. 
I too have a Frenchie, I enclude her in my cool down walk. Word of advice avoid getting a short nose dog, because they can't cool themselves down very well in heat or when exercised.

julezc · Aug 29, 2007

I appreciate all the feedback! I have recently moved to a house that has a lot more space inside and out, with a fully fenced back yard. I guess I will have to do some research on the breeds individual traits and also find out what breeds are available in the local shelters. I like to get my animals from the shelter so they are "saved" from being euthanized rather than a pet store. 
Thanks so much for the great info! 
Julie

riley0003 · Aug 30, 2007

Another frenchie owner! How cool! I belong to some frenchie listservs too and will be attending the French Bulldog National Specialties in Denver next week. I also write for the "Just Frenchie" magazine. My two frenchies are named Truffle & Remy. 
Susan

missy1102 · Aug 30, 2007

i have a lab (see avatar) who is 8 and can still do up to 12 or so miles with me. i noticed the other day that she wasn't doing too well on the trails.. so i'm thinking she is starting to slow down. anyhow, good luck with your search and def keep us updated!

Audrey · Aug 30, 2007

I run with a 2 year old Australian Cattle Dog, I only do up to 6km, but he's done 16km with my hubby and barely rasied a puff. I also have a 5 month old Australian Working Kelpie who is a bit young to do much yet, but he looks like he'd go on forever, he's all legs! 
As a vet, one thing I'd advise, keep your dog on the lean side if you're going to run. 
Cheers 
Audrey

riley0003 · Aug 30, 2007

OK, here are my babiehttp://<a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=91&stc=1&d=1188485911">www.kickrunners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=91&stc=1&d=1188485911</a> 
Susan & pups.JPGs. I'll try to attach a pic; not always successful. 
Susan

Sisu · Aug 30, 2007

Audrey - I have a choc lab that is a litte over a year old and i know he'll be a good running partner. i keep forgetting to call and ask my vet this so I'll ask you - how old should he be before he can run with me? He gets a ton of exercise outside now. Thanks!

Audrey · Aug 31, 2007

Sisu, 
My hubby started running with our ACD when he was around 14 months old, and started slowly. With my kelpie, I do week 1 of C25k maybe once a week with him, just to get him used to running beside me, and to expend some of his energy. He's 5 months old and I spoke to his breeder, he'd run further than that on the farm if she'd kept him to work sheep. Week 1 is just alternating 60 minute jogs and 90 minute walks for half a dozen or so reps, and we stick to the grass. So you're lab should be fine to start. 
Audrey

diablita · Aug 31, 2007

This is a good thread but I think we need to see more pictures of your dogs! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

drunningman · Aug 31, 2007

You can see my pooch on this thread. <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10346" target="_blank">http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10346</a>

slow_n_steady · Aug 31, 2007

Here's my running partner.... <a href="http://assets.kickrunners.com.s3.amazonaws.com/d/d0/d0bc0249_vbattach94.jpg"><img alt="LL" src="http://cdn.kickrunners.com/d/d0/525x525px-LL-d0bc0249_vbattach94.jpg" style="width:300px;height:226px;"></a>

Audrey · Aug 31, 2007

Okey Dokey 
The first pic is my working kelpie pup, Guinness. I don't have a full body shot yet because he rarely stands still. He came from a sheep station about 3 hours west of Brisbane and has been bred to work sheep and run all day. He's very lean, and all leg. 
The second is also not great, it's my 2 year old Australian Cattle Dog, Sinner. He runs up to 16km with my hubby, a lot less with me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> He's more stocky than Guinness, and is quite heavily muscled, but is very fit. He is eating a chunk of kangaroo tail - fantastic tucker for dogs! 
Will see if I can get some better shots a bit later on.. 
Audrey <a href="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g91/scotiablue/Dogs/Guinness260807thumb.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g91/scotiablue/Dogs/th_Guinness260807thumb.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"></a> <a href="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g91/scotiablue/Dogs/sinnerthumb.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g91/scotiablue/Dogs/th_sinnerthumb.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"></a>

riley0003 · Aug 31, 2007

I really enjoyed reading your blog! Your area looks beautiful and your dogs are great too! 
Susan

Jill · Aug 31, 2007

<img alt="" src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u161/jillfo/zeke-1.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"> 
My guy, Zeke.

Audrey · Sep 1, 2007

Thanks Susan, I've never been into blogging much, but I quite like it to just have a whinge, or to sort of say yaaay!! LOL. 
Zeke is very handsome, Jill. I like the frame effect on the photo. 
Audrey

Running with a dog

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