Running with Dogs

My children have been knagging me for a while now to get a dog of some sort.

Well you know how it is with kids, I'll be the one who ends up doing the walking in the rain and cold. image

So with that in mind, I have been looking at breeds of dog that I could take out on my early morning runs.

I am seriously thinking about getting an English Pointer.

So those of you who run with dogs, what breed and how far would be possible with a dog 5 miles, 10 miles,  20 miles. I guess running in the counrty side is favarable to running the streets.

Comments

  • We've got a collie/german shepherd/miscellaneous and she is starting to develop hip dysplasia, so her long running days may be numbered, but at the moment she can happily can cope with 10 miles; any more than that and I will do a couple of laps and drop her back home at half way.  I would think that a fit pointer could easily manage that and more.  She doesn't enjoy running on a lead and a couple of times I've taken her for runs on roads and it's made the soles of her feet sore. 

    It can be a bit awkward when I need to take the dog, but I want to do a tempo session for example, so I've started to experiment with a HRM to pace tempos off road.  If I do hills she follow me up and down for the first few and then go rummaging in a hedge for a while until I've finished.  I've tried intervals doing laps of the local sports field and it's doable, but I tend to prefer the road or track and leave her at home for that one.

    I'll not go into all the negative aspects of dog ownership, but for running, provided you have access good off road running routes then they are fine.

  • Speak to GoldBeetle, Tommy - he has a lovely pointer that he runs with image

  • *Frodo* wrote (see)

    Speak to GoldBeetle, Tommy - he has a lovely pointer that he runs with image

    Yep have already spoken to GB, just wondering what other breeds people have and how far you can reasonably expect with certain dogs. As I have not ruled out collies but I have heard that they can be difficult at home.

  • I have a collie-x. He was able to run up to 27-30 miles with me, but he had (and still has) behavioural issues because he is a rescue.

    If you had a collie from a puppy, it would of course be different, but they are very bright, sensitive dogs (needing lots of 1:1 stimulation) and are generally more suited to isolated farm living than town. However, collie-x breeds can be far more robust/adaptable and the right cross could be perfect for family life and running.

  • I wouldn't run distance with a dog on lead or on road but hit the open country side and my two love it. We have a 9 year old collie type and 2 year old terrier and they mostly cope fine with anything up to marathon distance and have done up to 30 before.

    We do try to take some food for them even if it is only some bonio biscuits along side their usual treats and plan to have short stops anywhere there is water to keep them hydrated, more so on hot days.

    One thing to bear in mind is that it would be unrealistic to start them off running 10 miles. They need to build up their base fitness the same as any person would although they should find it far easier to do; when ours started we stuck to around 3 to 4 miles at a very easier pace and started to build the milage from there and now they probably run 40miles a week or more on top of many walks.

    Agree with lou that I wouldn't want them with me on tempo runs, intervals or any reps where I wouldn't want to be stopping to pull them out from a bush so maybe just the recovery runs and long runs. I highly recommend one piece of equipment which is an elasticated waist belt to clip their lead onto so that you are able to run with your hands free and still have some control when require.

    In all ours love their runs and have been given a fantastic bill of health by the vet who even commented on saying if they didn't know otherwise they would have said our 9 year old had the body of a 3 year old dog. 

  • I have 2 rough collies at home who are wonderful to have around! One is 18 months and the other is 5 months. I'm now getting the older boy fit to come running with me.  You shouldn't run with one under a year at the earliest as the plates in their joints aren't developed enough and this can cause health and joint problems as they get older. As collies are breed for herding they tend to be very good for endurance, which means good for running! Also the Husky breeds are very good... If you can keep up! They can go for miles without any worries

    What you do need to take into account is heat and water for them on longer runs. Either natural or to carry it with you.

     

  • I have a cocker spaniel who absolutely loves running with me.  The only thing I would advise is to train your dog walking on the run lead (invaluable if you have to run along a road, obsolete once off road, until you meet livestock).  If you walk train them, they'll take easier to running on it rather than pulling you over, which is tricky enough with a spaniel, never mind a pointer! 

    The other thing worth looking in to is inherited disorders.  As above, GSD's are prone to hip dysplasia, as are labs.  Also, speak to a vet about how old your dog should be before running.  I had Ollie from pup and took him to a vet at the recommended 1 year old to have his hips and joints checked.  Vet was more than happy and advised starting short and building up, much as we would as runners. 

    Have to say, I love running with Ollie, although he made yesterday's 2 miler a complete nightmare and ended up having to go back on the lead in the park as he kept taking off to play with other dogs (he was having a Spaniel Brain Free Day apparently).  He's good company though, and absolutely loves running with me.  He's also really good when we go out on the mountain bikes, and has learnt really quickly to avoid the wheels. 

  • literatinliteratin ✭✭✭

    A clubmate of mine has a boxer he brings on runs up to 10 miles sometimes.

  • Last year at the Southdowns Marathon I saw a lady being pulled along by a Husky from a lead attached from her waist...doesn't that count as a technical aid image

    Anyway thanks for the replies...You can read loads on the internet aboout various Breeds but nowhere mentions running.So its good to hear from people experienced with runnng with dogs.

    One thing though, is what do you do re dog poo. I know most people do the plastic bag thing eeew ( I supposed I will have to get used to that) when out running shurley you can't carry a bag of stinky poo around with you untill you find a dog poo bin......image

  • Tommygun2 wrote (see)

    Last year at the Southdowns Marathon I saw a lady being pulled along by a Husky from a lead attached from her waist...doesn't that count as a technical aid image

     


    There's a whole sport for it called Cani-Cross, huskies are amazing at it, though I suspect most people would struggle to keep up with them!

  • E mmyE mmy ✭✭✭
    Tommygun2 wrote (see)

    Last year at the Southdowns Marathon I saw a lady being pulled along by a Husky from a lead attached from her waist...doesn't that count as a technical aid image

     

    Nope. I've run with a friend and her husky. The dog may slightly help on hills but when they see a sheep/water/stagnant pool they will pull in the other direction to the one that you want them to go in!

  • I've got two Northern Idiots ... I used to run with the eldest all the time, but found the longer distances on roads started to play havoc with her paws, and the bootie thing is just NOT an option, so stopped taking her for a while. She will still occasionally come out for a 4 / 5 miler on the road but I limit them to prevent re-occurences of the paw thing. Echo the youngest will also occasionalyl come out for 4 / 5 on the road but again I try and limit those too.

    When running on the road they are quite happy on the normal lead just to trot alongside, and soon learn the requisite pace.

    I have now started venturing on to the trail side of things so when I go out in to the fields they both come and will happily run off lead for 5 / 6 miles with no issue (only problem being for first mile they think its a game and continually try to take me out!)

    I'm hoping to start extending the distance of my off road runs, so will take them out on those too.

     

  • Tommygun2 wrote (see)

    One thing though, is what do you do re dog poo. I know most people do the plastic bag thing eeew ( I supposed I will have to get used to that) when out running shurley you can't carry a bag of stinky poo around with you untill you find a dog poo bin......image


    You can, and you'll even find that in the depths of a cold winter it can be quite a godsend !  image

  • I have a jack russell and he loves going out for a run.  However, we only ever take him out for 10k, no more as he gets really tired after that and don't want him to over do it.

    What about a dalmation?  They were bred as carriage dogs and therefore can run forever - plus they have really good tempraments (well, ours did!!) and they are pretty hard to tire out.

    Best of luck finding your new running partner.

  • socks up tosocks up to ✭✭✭

    I have a Jack Russell cross who so far has been up to 16 miles. He regularly does 6-8 miles several times a week with me.
    A friend of mine has 2 collies that run with him on all his ultra training, so up to about 25-30 miles
    As long as you start them gently, as you would with any person starting running, up the miles slowly, then they can do pretty much most normal mileage.
    If its hot take water for them, or run where there is water. If i am doing anything over an hour and a half I would take snacks for mine (eg some dog biccies in a bumbag)

  • 15West15West ✭✭✭

    We have a border terrier puppy and I don't know how he will be for running but currently he is totally mad and very cute! image

  • I'm afraid the poo thing is part of owning a dog, you don't have the option of leaving it behind!  I double bag it and clip it to my belt until I find a bin. 

  • In regards to the poo thing im fairly lucky in that they will either go early and therefore not far from some sort of bin or on the trail. Now not on the actual path were on as the elder of the two likes to stick his arse right in a bush ( i do mean right in it) and now the younger copies him so its rare im attached to a poo bag thank gods.

  • I am guessing you don't have to pick up the poo if they do it in the woods, right image

  • Nope the accepted behaviour for poo in the woods is to generally just roll in it !

     

  • Bruce C wrote (see)

    Nope the accepted behaviour for poo in the woods is to generally just roll in it !

     

    Sometimes the dogs join in too

  • I've just got a springer spaniel puppy and am counting shown the months before I can run with him. Does anyone have any training tips to prepare him early?

  • markmywordsmarkmywords ✭✭✭

    I have a minature schnauzer - jack russell type size - who I take for short recovery runs (off the lead) for up to 4 miles and she really loves them and makes them more fun for me.  She has done a couple of speedwork seesions with me but I've stopped them now as she does struggle keeping up with the pace.

    I remember taking her for a run last winter and she just gave up running through the snow and I had to carry her home image  Poor thing!

    It works for me though as I don't think I'd want to take her out on all runs.

    While it's great to have a dog that can go for long runs with you remember that the dog will want walks/runs on your days off.  A schnauzer will be happy with a 20-30 minute walk around the block.  if you are looking at a dalmation or sorts you will need to put in a lot more time.

  • Andy AFCB wrote (see)

    I've just got a springer spaniel puppy and am counting shown the months before I can run with him. Does anyone have any training tips to prepare him early?

    Just head out and walk with them and you'll find they probably will be running around anyway and will put you to shame by the time you start running together.

  • Hi Tommygun2 - my family used to have a German Pointer and she was lovely and enjoyed running, my in-laws also have a pointer. However I wouldn't suggest a pointer if this is your first dog as I have always thought of them as high maintenance as they can be a bit needy and anxious. Both mine and my OH's families have had a lot of dogs, including rescues. 

    Like many purebreeds, pointers have been overbred and can have hip problems. So if you do get one make sure you build up to running slowly, and not before 18months old so their skeletal structure is strong enough.

    I currently have a pyranean collie cross who is fantastic fun to go running with. I hope you have fun whatever breed you choose!

     

  • I take my lab on some of my runs, recently while he was with me and running off the lead he managed to slice the pads on three of his feet, luckily we were nearly back to the van, made me wonder what I'd do if he did similar or worse on a longer run, any thoughts on carrying dog first aid stuff?  there's no way I could carry him.

  • I've got a farm bred border collie, who just loves running. He's only ever on a lead near traffic, and doesn't chase other animals. He's great, he can run all day; but if we can't run for some reason, he's just as happy with a couple of walks if they include balls or frisbees and stuff.

    The thing with collies is that they need YOU, and they need stimulation. If you have the time for them, they are wonderful dogs.

  • You should look for all the other threads there have been on this subject over the years.

    Anyway, we've had German shepherds and Swiss White shepherds for 30-odd years and have run with all of them. One of the Whites ran Frankfurt marathon with my OH. All of the others have been well capable of running any sort of distance - we run mostly off road. The German Shepherd Association here in Germany has among its official tests an endurance run of 20km alongside a bike, which is one of the requirements if you want to breed your dog and register the pups. I've only ever seen two dogs fail the endurance test.

    One piece of advice - don't run your dog very far until he's finished growing, depending on breed this could be up to 10 months. We also always have our dogs' hips and elbows X-rayed before running with them.

  • I'm going to be biased but have you thought about a Hungarian Vizsla? They're the same group as a English Pointer, so you may have come across them. They're a bundle of joy, males are more goofy IMO, so very affectionate and they bladdy love to run, obviously you'd have to research into them as they're a demanding breed but you get what you put in and they give more than 100% back image

    Mines just come up to 2 years old, so now I'm starting to take him longer distances now that he's finished developing. We did a caniX a couple of weeks ago and he was great at it image highly recommended!
Sign In or Register to comment.