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Last night I took my dog running
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Ha ha ha ha! I love the mental image that's given me! I saw photos on the canix website of people with Huskis and wonder how much more difficult they find running on their own
I've gone and joined....
Been running again with the hound tonight - she looks very sweet in her fluorescent jacket!! Although - she really could have the decency to even pretend to b out of breath when we get back! And licking my sweaty face when I'm lay on my back doing hamstring stretches really isn't helpful..
when she was younger, my dog would've LOVED Canix (and we would have done well) - just a shame there are no events up here.
She's never going to win anything at a dog show, it would have been her one shot at glory - not that she's fussed.
UIW: you're probably right about the 'tow factor'.
When Mak was young we did a local 10 mile race. Unfortuanely Mak used to get very excited at races, so we went about 50m back from the end of the field. When that race started he took off like a SCUD missile and before we were out of the village had dragged me right up to the front. Then just by the 30mph sign he decided to have the biggest dump you can imagine on the grass verge while 100 runners went past.
Mak's problem was he was never good at pace judgement. Still after about 5 miles we used to settle down to running alongside each other and he could keep that up until about 20miles, when I used to collapse.
Poor old chap has left his running days behind now and just watches forlornly as Spice and I go out.
Hello All,
To add a few lines to the thread. The sport of canicross is ever growing, it is very well established in Europe and came to England over 5 years ago, the CaniX organisation present a series of races through the year for their trophy and prizes. I am a member of the Canicross trailrunners and have run in many normal running races in the South of England and also in France, 'Mak's Friend' may remember my wife and I who also ran the Stickler with our 2 Huskies, that was a great race that supported running with dogs.
My advice to runners who want to run in an event with their dogs is to firstly ring a race organiser and ask their permission, if you just turn up at a race you may be turned away. There are several reasons this may happen, the race insurance may not cover you with your dog, landowners who have given permission for the race may object to dogs on their land due to cattle and sheep grazing. Its better to ring to avoid disappointment.
Saying that we have run in the follwoing races, The Stickler (10.1M), The Marlborough Downs Challenge (20 or 30 M, we did the 20M) and the Forest of Dean 5Km.
Hashing clubs are also open to runners with dogs, check out your local club - very very social running.
If Kit is an issue then shop around, Waistbelts, Harnesses and bungee leads come in many different shapes, styles, sizes and colours. Look at the Husky, Malamute and UK sledding sites (ABSA) they all have links to Kit stores.
My favourite store is the Snowpaw Store, access it through my website (www.canicross.org.uk) and 10% of any sale goes to Siberian Husky welfare.
If anyone wants further info please email me.
Simon Lamen
Canicross Trailrunners
I think your vet is always the first point of contact to discuss running. Obviously some of it is common sense but I recommend not over exercising pups in their first year of life. Diseases such as hip dysplasia can be worsened by excessive exercise. Obviously a little exercise is good but I would not be taking them for miles before 12 months old older again if it is a giant breed as they will take longer for their bones to fuse.
Haltis are execellent for those who are pulled by their dogs on walks or runs
Anthony
Hi Simon. I do remember you from the Stickler - at least you had one husky each to tow you and not two!
I did the Neolitiic canix event this year but I'll probably give it a miss next year as Spice will be 12 and she is slowing down a bit. (come to that so am I!)
I'd agree with asking permission for taking your dog to races. Down this way The Dorest Doddlers put on the Stickler, but also some low-key hill races which allow dogs.
Mak's PBs were 10k 42:30, 10miles 71:00 and 1/2M 1:37 - I think he could have been faster if it wasn't for the human on the other end of the lead!
I am considering getting a dog and wonder what breed people would recommend as a running companion up to say 10K.
RM3, the list is nearly endless. If you want to go for a pedigree then check out the general descriptions for the breed. However there are plenty of rescue dogs who would be grateful of an owner who will take them running.
If you are planning on doing long runs then just about anything from a jack russel to a standard poodle will do.
However please take notice of the advice of taking a young dog out too soon. Also if you do select a breed that is prone to hip problems get the dog checked out with a vet before you run.
Just about any breed will be able to do 10k unless it's obviously not suited to running - bulldog, dachshund etc. So mostly the decision is going to be down to other stuff.
Some of that other stuff will be relevant to running though - like how long do you want to spend cleaning the muck out of a long coated breed after that muddy xc run, how likely is it to chase off after that rabbit, how likely is it to chase off after that other runner, how likely is it to be dog aggressive or people aggressive and need to be kept on a lead. A lot of that can be overcome with training and socialisation and it's all generalisations but there's truth behind most of them.
Also remember - a lot of breeds that get recommended for running are high energy and need a lot of time spent exercising them unless you want behavioural problems.
Good advice - we've got a 2 and a half yr old border collie. He could run all day, but wouldn't know when to stop. I've taken him running a couple of times, but can't keep his interest. The first sign of a rabbit, or a bird, he's off.
Also, the breed is prone to hip problems in later life, so always check with your vet first
Though I would agree with Rwanda, above - my border collie would run until she makes herself sick. I think it's a border collie trait - you have to decide when to stop excercising becuase they don't know when they've had enough. But build it up slowly (like with a human, I guess) and collies will run and run with you. (mine prefers being off the lead though - she's 7 and will do 10 miles or so off-lead, but only 3-ish on the lead. She finds a continuous steady pace much harder than being able to stop and start).
The other dog is a black one of indeterminate breeding (lurcher/collie/kelpie ? ) and he will run on or off the lead with me for ages. We did our first 'big' race together last week (the RNLI reindeer run 10k) and I thought the crowd at the start might phase him, but he was great, and got loads of support from the crowd, too.
Re: kit, I run them both together just on normal leads for short runs. For longer ones, either off-lead or, if not possible, then I just take the black one on an extra-long normal lead.
They both love to come running. The same as Lisa my older dog has done 18 miles with me. I regulatly walk them in our local country park which is just across the road from our house and a circuit there is just short of 4 miles. Both dogs charge about hunting rabbits and must easily cover twice that distance so i wasn't too worried when i took the young one on her first run.
They will really sulk if i put my running gear on and don't take them with me.
Short notice, but if anyone out there wants to join my running club for a run tommorrow (Saturday 27th) Spice will be leading a run around Stourhead Woods starting at 10.am from the main carpark.
There are a cafe and tolilets there.
It will be 7 miles(ish) x-country and very muddy. She is expecting about 20 humans and 4 dogs to turn up, but it may be more or less.
Stourhead head is signposted from the A303 and is at the Witlshire/Dorset/Someret border. map
Max runs everywhere with me except on events. I have thought of taking him on trail marathons, but he can get distracted when off the lead and running the whole way on the lead does not appeal. He might also get in the way of other runners.
I've done a 18mile plus run with him off the lead so he's probably run well over 20 miles. He is disappointed when I put my trainers on and go to the gym!
Thanks for the info Maks Friend, unfortunatley if have only just got back from the forest of dean from a christmas break, but if you have any more runs please let me know, im only in devizes so stourhead and area is quite close.
cheers
Simon
/forum/smilies/confused_smiley.gif[/img]ilamen@hotmail.com]silamen@hotmail.com
Canicross update.
If you are looking for dog frienly run look at the May Hill Massacre they allow dogs to start a few mins after the pack. my wife and i are entered. its on sun 1st of feb near gloucester.
http://www.mayhillmassacre.co.uk/index.cfm?page=About
Running with a dog is a great idea, it makes you feel so much safer. Only the extremely dim are going to try anything when you're with your dog!
I'm certainly no expert but I'd say that plenty of exercise is better for them than being stuck inside any day
I've got a 7 year old german shepherd and back in the day when I was fitter we regularly did 10 milers. Strong muscles help to support their joints
He tore a crutiate ligament a couple of years ago so he can't manage that anymore. My advice is, be careful, don't push your dog too far because they will carry on regardless of injuries, and keep her on a lead, its tearing through woods and leaping over ditches that does the damage. Watch out for things like struggling to get up and lay down, or a slight limp that they quickly walk off
My dog has to mostly stay on a lead now so running with him is a battle of wills 'cos he wants to go faster than i do! Plenty of exercise has helped him to recovera nd it gets me out on the coldest days
Have fun
Hey Yorks Lass! Wondered what had happened to you - good to see you finally running with your dog!
(She's probably wondering who the hell I am, folks..!)
Last time we met on here, I had a lab with dodgy hips, and a young border collie. Well, lab's doing ok but obviously doesn't come running, and the little fellah is 18 months now, and comes on every run I do, plus lots of hill walking!
I fancied that cani-cross, but it all seems to be down south. We could do with a bit up here in Yorkshire, if any organisers are looking in...
Or is it 'NORTH Yorks Lass' I remember? From the harrogate area, I think?
I joined cani-cross 18 months ago with the intention of joining up with other dog-owning runners, but the only 2 events in the north have been 1 in the far North-East, and 1 at Delamere Forest last January. Unfortunately, at the time of the Delamere Forest run, I was away in Rwanda
. I think there may be other events organised by people other than CaniX, but I agree with Mick.W - it does seem totally biassed towards the South
Hello All,
Have a look at www.canicross.org.uk and on the events page you will find a list of some running events that allow canicrossers to take part.
If anyone knows of other events that allow Canicrossers to take part then let me know and i will add them to the list.
Thanks
Simon Lamen
Canicross Trailrunners
For the Love of the Sport