Running with Dogs - How much is too much?

[CiaoBellaCiao34]

I have two dogs - a border collie who is eight years old, and a boxer who's four. Neither of them have any known health issues.

I've always taken the dogs running with me, but my running has been a bit sporadic since over the last few years. Lately the running bug has really hit, however, and I'm doing longer and longer runs.

I'm currently running around 35km a week total over four days, but I hope to bring it up to 50km soon. I do not run very fast - it takes me 70 mins to do 10km - and I make sure the dogs have access to water before, during, and after.

But...I'm still a bit concerned that this might be two much for them and will cause them harm. A friend's dog had a heart attack out of the blue recently, and it's been playing on my mind, especially in this hot weather.

What do you think, o knowledgeable ones? Are they ok to continue running with me, or would that be running a risk? I've only ever had these two dogs, and that for only 4 years (collie was a rescue), so I am not as experienced as I probably should be.

TIA

I should also have mentioned that we live in the country (not in the uk), so they're not on a lead and can and do take their own time, more or less.

Dogs are put together better for running than humans are...

You need to be aware that 8 is middle aged and be careful with the heat with a boxer as obviously their airways are not the best...

But to put it into perspective, collies are bred to cover about 35k a day while working.

Interesting you post this, because I've started questioning if I should continue taking my dog on runs. I can only tell you my experience.

2 1/2 year old healthy cocker spaniel. She runs on a lead attached to my waist (bum bag)

We did Couch to 5K together in April, but running every day not taking rest days. We completed C25K within a month, my dog doing every km with me.

In May we ran 5km every day. In June we started doing 10k runs, 2 or 3 a week with 5km runs every other day at increasing pace. By now our 5k pace was about 35m and 10k 75m - so steady but not fast.

In July we had a heat wave in the UK, with temperatures above 25deg most days. I started worrying about how much the dog was panting. So for 3 weeks are rarely took her for a run, maybe 4 or 5 times in total over 3 weeks, and knly on shorter 5k runs, not 10k.

These last 2 weeks it's been cooler. So I started taking my dog on 5k runs again, but giving her rest days when I do 10k (which is every other day).

But my dog seems to be enjoying it less, I sometimes feel like I'm dragging her along and that she'd like to stop. Especially towards the end of the run. I can think of a few explanations:

• her fitness dropped when she went from daily runs to having 3 weeks mostly doing nothing.

(Does this happen in dogs, do they lose fitness so quickly?)

• that she maintained fitness levels, but my fitness and pace increased in the 3 weeks and so she can't keep up when she restarted running.

(So am I best keep taking her along so that her fitness improves to match the faster pace? Otherwise she'll never 'catch up'. Or would that be wrong to do?)

• That she is not herself for whatever reason. Maybe coming into season, or still too hot. Maybe she has a slight injury. So assuming it's just a temporary change and I give her a week in two and try again.

• That at the current pace and distance I'm covering, that I'm simply overrunning her and need to stop taking her now and in the future, unless I slow my pace down.

(but I thought dogs were better designed to running then humans are?)

I'm undecided on the reason. But the two 5ks I've gone this week with my dog have lead me to decide I'm not taking her tomorrow. She seems really keen and enthusiastic initially, but 15-20 minutes in and she is actively slowing me down.

Dogs love sniffing. If you run with them they can't enjoy the sniffs.

Also high energy dogs need to chill not to get high adrenaline.

My personal opinion is you shouldn't run with dogs.

“Dogs love sniffing. If you run with them they can't enjoy the sniffs.”

They’re offlead...

If you run with a dog offlead, they sniff, you run, they overtake you without even breaking into a full run and then sniff something else.

I would not run that distance with a boxer - they overheat very quickly and in lower temperatures than other dogs.

I personally wouldn't run that far with a boxer. They're a brachycephalic breed and every one I've seen has looked uncomfortable in the heat or after long periods of exercise.

Collies, however, are working dogs and would run for miles on a farm or when out in the fields. So I don't see any issue with taking him so long as he has water available and you would stop/slow down if he was uncomfortable or tired.

I also wouldn't take a dog if they looked or seemed uncomfortable or happy. Dogs don't need to be taken on runs - a good long walk with a chance for them to run about off-lead is enough and probably better for them in a lot of ways. They get a chance to stop and sniff, chase leaves and are under no pressure to just carry on.

Hmm, a mix of replies. Thank you all very much for the responses.

I probably should have mentioned also that I currently start running at 8 in the morning, so before it gets too warm.

If you run with a dog offlead, they sniff, you run, they overtake you without even breaking into a full run and then sniff something else.

Yep, this is what my boxer does. Also, and rather annoyingly, she can just do a slightly-faster-than-usual-walk to keep pace with me.

I take the point about overheating, though. I think I'll just take her for the shorter runs for now, until the weather gets colder again. And take the collie on the longer runs, unless and until he looks uncomfortable.

They both do seem to enjoy the runs a lot, though. They scramble for the door as soon as I come downstairs in my running clothes.

Great, if they enjoy it. Mine has a different mind set for running or a sniffling walk. If we're running, she's looking ahead and doesn't stop. For lazy snifflers she's head down and we get nowhere fast or far. She seems to enjoy both, I think a mixture is good. Mine is a semi feral type that some use for hunting, so she's an able runner puts me to shame

I run with a working/ shooting breed . He is 5 now and will run up to 35 miles with me in one go off lead but only 15-20 on lead .
We always train together but this heatwave has put Paid to that. He is short haired but anything over 15 degrees without regular ( every 2 miles) access to swimming depth water means it's just not comfortable for him .
He's currently gaining weight and resting and I'll be careful to build him slowly back up in the cooler months .
Ps , even after 35 miles he naps for 2 hours then start sniffing around for a walk !

Blimey Pippioddstocking how often a week do you run 35 miles - we should be worrying about your joints and health

I've run ultra marathons (50miles +) with a Jack Russell and a Beagle (not at the same time).

Dogs love to run and as long as they have been ok'd by a vets, and you build them up, then go for it. Obviously take into account the weather, humidity, running surface and breed of dog (I would keep the boxer for shorter runs, but the skys the limit with a collie)

Mix it up a bit, so they still get some casual sniffing walks on their 'rest days'.

I would recommend searching for a local 'canicross' group, running in a pack makes it much more enjoyable (for you and the dog).

My greyhound is good for about 2.5 miles and then looks at me with a look which says "I'm retired, what part of retirement aren't you getting? Also, this is not running, running is a burst of 40mph for 120 seconds - I'm not sure what this is but it's rubbish". So we both walk/jog very slowly home, which is tedious. So I don't take her unless I'm pushed for time in the morning and then she gets an early 2.5 miles :)

If I had a collie, I'd be going for miles. Less so a boxer.

Where I live quite a few people run with various breeds of dog. As a fellow dog owner I hate it! Firstly I am in the south so even at 8.00 over the last few weeks far too hot to be making them run. Secondly, and I am not saying everybody is guilty, but many of them are running along, headphones on, dog off the lead behind them, pooping and bothering other dogs and they are oblivious, I feel sorry for their dogs because they are not interacting with them. Don’t even get me started on those who take their dogs to the local Parkrun!

However I do acknowledge that breeds like collies, huskies etc do need a lot of exercise and I second the recommendation for canicross groups once your dog has been given the all clear by your vet.

Don’t even get me started on those who take their dogs to the local Parkrun! Have to disagree here. Parkruns are a great way to start running with a dog, perfect starting distance.
If dogs are causing a problem at your parkrun then it is not being organised well and you need to talk to the RD.
My local parkrun is known for being the most dog friendly in the area and we regularly have upwards of 20 dogs run each week. All dogs are run on solid (not extendable) leads, no haltis and preferably harnesses. All dogs are kept on lead at all times. We actually have a separate dog start, about 100m infront of the main group to allow time to space out. We then do an extra dog loop half way round to make up the difference.
Parkrun is excellent for dogs if organised correctly.
Due to the recent hot weather they have not been doing the dog start to discourage people from running with dogs.

I've done 7 different parkruns all with a dog, and some are better suited than others but there has never been a problem with it.

Good! I was hoping to join a park run with my dog...

I have a working spaniel that happily runs 15 miles with us and is still asking for more.
I would never take her to parkrun. Unless the dogs are all at the back then they do get in peoples way even on leads. I think it makes it dangerous. There are so many people at parkruns, there are plenty of places to run with dogs. Parkrun shouldn't be one of them. One of my local ones has recently banned dogs.

TropicPlunder - Some parkruns are more suited for dogs than others. One close to me does not allow dogs as it is a very narrow wooded route with hundreds of runners so it was deemed too dangerous.
Most PRs make dogs start at the back and then you can slowly work your way forward.
Check with your PR to make sure dogs are allowed and what the rules are. Standard canicross lead lengths are maximum 2m (fully extended), usually 1.2m so should not allow the dog to get in the way of other runners.

Unfortunately not all the other runners are tolerant of dogs, and forget that its park run not park race, but in general most runners are considerate and don't mind having dogs along.

Both high energy dogs. They'll love it, I know from experience it's almost impossible to tire out a collie!!

@Flippetydip 2.5 miles!?!? Mine gives me daggers after a mile!

I’ve been wondering if I run too much with our dog but clearly not! 15 month old cocker does a parkrun (starting at the back!) on lead and a couple of crazy 2 mile mainly off lead runs a week with other dogs/owners.

Further to my post above, I've decided to stop taking my cocker spaniel on runs for the time being.

I do my run dogless while the weather is hot. Then I've been adding in an extra 5k daily walk with the dog. Seems better all-round. I get bonus extra steps in, the dog gets at least some exercise in the heat but isn't hating going.

She (DDog) still immediately jumps in and fully immerses herself in the paddling pool upon getting home, so even the walk is making her hot. Running is out of the question until autumn I think.

“15 month old cocker”

I wouldn’t be running with a dog that young, running with a dog before their growth plates have closed could damage their joints and set them up for a whole load of issues when they’re older.

They should be closed in a 15 month cocker... but only just...

I mean you can’t go and undo the age you started running at, but for anyone else reading this, running is something you should be waiting until they’re fully adult to do with them, especially on lead as that’s an enforced pace, puppies aren’t good at judging their limits.

Ah, ok, thank you. I didn’t do any running until he was over 1 and have built it up from there but will stop.