Breeds that can run but don't HAVE to

[boopee]

Hi all. I'm looking for a small or medium breed (10-20kg ideally) with good recall that is happy and capable to go for runs (regular 10k runs, sometimes further) 3-4 times a week but doesn't NEED to run all the time, if you get me? It's hard to find one in the middle ground between like a herding/sporting breed that needs TONS of exercise every single day and a breed that is too small or just not built for long runs and can never ever do it. I want one that can do these things a few times a week but is happy with on-lead walks on other days.

One problem is that I'm not in the UK so lots of more UK-centric breeds are not available. Border terriers for example I can't find any in my country. Somebody told me to get a golden retriever but they just seem quite big to me. And then I read that they have a high incidence of cancer compared to other breeds and that scared me off a bit too.

Are you up to training a terrier?

If so, look at them. They're usually quite tough dogs, and their ancestors used to work (on farms mainly, and quite independently as pest control, hence independent streak which means you need to train assiduously)

But, they tick all your other boxes, generally robust and healthy, can go all day, but don't need to.

I have a small breed terrier (smaller than your preferred size) and she easily runs 5k with me at the drop of a hat, and can do further happily (up to 10k). But doesn't need to run every day.

Having good recall depends on the training that you do, not the breed of dog. You are aware that puppies shouldn't join in with runs until they are about 18 months of age due to growth plates not being closed? Up until 1 Yr of age they shouldn't really have walks of more than 1 hour, occasionally is fine but not longer as a matter of course before the age of 1.

Smooth Collie? Males a bit bigger than your upper weight limit, but not a huge dog.

Yep I'm aware of that don't worry. Also aware that good recall requires good training but that there are vast differences between breed types on how well they take to it regardless. Some require a lot more training than others, some are almost never reliable off-lead.

A lot here depends on what you mean by 'on-lead'. How long would these walks be? Would you be able to use a long line, or give the dog 15-30 minutes of off-lead time in a park, as part of an hour or more of exercise? Tiring out their brains is at least as important as tiring out their bodies, and a long line or a bit of off-lead time in a park gives you the chance to do that - sit-stays, a few short retrieves, some heelwork, some trick training.

Are there any terrier breeds available to you at all? We had a JRT who had about 50 minutes on-lead and about 15 minutes off each day during the week, and would happily run 10k+ with DH on his bike at the weekends, or go for really long walks if the opportunity ever arose, so there are dogs out there who would work for you.

Maybe a cocker spaniel?

They still need about an hour's exercise every day but not as much as something like a collie.

a staffy?

I think @EdithStourton nails it. I think it a lot depends on what daily exercise is available to you. If you live in a city and on-lead means a walk round a park on lead that prob limits you to smaller breeds WITH training at home every day, terriers may be a good choice. Dogs enjoy training, it is good for them although time consuming for us!

If you can do some off-lead walkin every day then sporting breeds will be fine with a long run 3-4 times every week. People who do dog sports or run with their dogs don't do it every day. I do cani-cross with my collie 2 times a week, she usually has a bike ride with DH once a week, the other days she has 2 x decent off-lead walks. I am NOT suggesting you get a BC unless you live rurally or semi-rurally and have access to some good spaces to exercise one off-lead when adult. But tbh she prob gets more exercise during a good off-lead walk than whilst running with me, cani cross is more for reinforcing focus and handler-responsiveness. I have never fitted a GPS to her but if I walk 3miles with her I bet she runs about 9!

They need more than 1 hour per day as a working breed. High prey drive = dodgy unless properly trained.

Poodle could be good as well but they are a bit of a marmite dog!

Yes to all that. I'm quite open to breeds and requirements, only thing I'm strict on is size and that I want a breed that CAN run but doesn't have to every single day.

I've owned dogs before and know how to train them etc. By on-lead walking I just meant that while I do want a running companion, I don't run daily. Some days would be just standard dog walks.

Another vote for a terrier if you don't mind training (a lot !). We had a Parson Jack Russell of about 8kg and he could walk/run for miles. He always covered about three times the distance we did due to him exploring on route.

They can be trained though and they don't need as much exercise as springers. Could be a fit as long as it gets an off lead walk on days when they don't have a run.

I would say they need as much exercise as a springer and in the same way as a springer they need mental work to satisfy them. Walking on a lead a few times a week won't be sufficient even if they are also running 3 days.

In terms of training terriers, where would you say they fall between a German Shepherd and a Greyhound? I've had both of those and to be honest the grind of training a greyhound made me REALLY miss my lovely GSD.

What about an older rescue mongrel? You can't run a puppy
until they're older anyway. With a rescue you will know about their exercise needs from their fosterers.

I think its important to be open minded about small breeds too - I used to run with a friends mini dachshund once upon a time. She could keep going for flippin ages! Again not recommending a dachshund due to the health issues, but strong ones have amazing determination. Similarly my BC regularly plays with a JRT chihuahua cross on walks, its a tiny thing but keeps up with a BC no problems!

I'd avoid some (not all) toy breeds or anything with possible health issues but there are loads of small dogs that can handle 10k runs no trouble and are less vulnerable to joint probs than medium-large dogs.

Collie cross lab?

I have one and he has excellent recall, loves running and equally lying around snoozing! Great family pet

Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Fantastic little sporting dogs, look up Quintlet, breeders based in NL who have some fantastic dogs.

My friend is a fell runner and takes her cocker out all the time , he runs with her and her partner around town, parks and canals during the week then in the Lake District at weekends . He's run since he was a young dog .

There are two types of cocker spaniel - working and show/pet.

If you get a show/pet cocker, it will be happy with a run 4 times a week and off lead walk/ play on the other days.

Springers and working cockers are generally regarded to need 2+ hours, so you do have to make sure you know what you are getting if you go for a spaniel, but it could work.

A Lurcher or smaller sighthound, Podenko?

You might have to keep them on the lead most of the time, but they could run and equally like a sofa.

I'd exclude toy breeds as so many are prone to luxating patellae and therefore may not be suitable running companions.

Also as OP wants 10-20kg, then under 5kg is probably too far adrift!

When you say running, do you mean running on a lead and harness like canicross or running off lead alongside?