Running with my dog

[Stumpedasatree]

My golden retriever is 3.5 years old and has been running with me since fully grown. We mostly go on trail/track/soft ground where she runs off lead (and appears to love it) but occasionally need to run on tarmac/pavements on lead to get to where we are going.

Is this ok? She seems happy enough, no joint problems. Sometimes we go for up to 10 miles off road.

[Booboostwo]

Perfectly fine for a healthy dog who does this on a regular basis. I’d only restrict exercise on vet’s orders for a dog with, for example, hip dysplasia, to try to save their joints long term.

[Dreamersandwishers]

I think the important thing is to ensure the dog has the opportunity to go at his own pace, and stop if needs be, especially as it gets warmer.
My vet did not like me running my lab on tarmac as that tended to mean on lead , but was fine with our trail running, where he could stop, sniff , trot etc.
We stopped due to my health issue rather than his .

[Stumpedasatree]

Thanks @booboostwo, I was worried about possible impact to joints, especially with the road running.

[LochJessMonster]

I run up to about 6 miles on pavement, and have run a full marathon on trail with my dog. He's 6 now and no issues.

A friend recently completed a 40 mile ultra marathon with her dog.

In my canicross group we have 10+ year old dogs that have been running all their life, and still run 10km with us. No joint problems.

[Stumpedasatree]

That's good to hear @LochJessMonster. And thanks too to @Dreamersandwishers and @Booboostwo. I do less than 6 miles on the pavements for sure, and of course she is happiest on trail as she can sniff and go and do her own thing. She is great at catching back up with me too.

[CMOTDibbler]

My dogs go running with me, and its always on tarmac unless we go somewhere special. I get bored of dealing with wees after about 15km though, so long runs are on my own. They love running, but as lurchers it's a slow trot for them really. Their idea of a proper run is me going along the top of the Malverns while they run up and down the sides - something I can't do

[jinxpixie]

Canix cross runner here we easily do the same mileage as you. We all love it

[Stumpedasatree]

Thanks again. Just got a bit freaked when a random man shouted at me that it was cruel for my dog while I was running with her.