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.

Goldies are far bigger than you want, even a small one is 30kg plus.
As for running sometimes the problem is that they can get to expect it so if you run with them 5 days a week they will be expecting it on day 6 and 7 and could get bored.
Equally it’s not fair for a dog who potters twice a day to be expected to go running at weekends

Terriers don't have great recall, you can train them, but some simply can't smell and a listen at the same time. My dh runs with our terrier but has her on a lead which goes around his waist, because she's be off without a second glance if she smelt anything interesting

I follow (insta) a lady who rides a horse and has a lurcher who keeps up with the horse and will go for miles. They are also inherently lazy dogs too so will sleep given the chance

Poodles or Dalmatians were bred to be 'carriage' dogs, so can run and run and run

Spaniels again have lots of energy and can run for miles, but recall needs to be trained if you want to run with them off the lead

Terrier. They are fabulous to train and usually really foodie. Lots compete in high levels in the dog sports and that does not come without good recall! My terrier has trained me in that if she comes back on a walk then I give her chicken or her personal favourite, liver ;)

Some are more trainable than others - Border, Cairns and Westies are good. Foxhounds can be. JRTS do vary a bit depending on breeding.

I ran miles with my last terrier sighthound cross (cocker spaniel size). She could walk or run all day well into her teens but equally was happy with a quick walk some days.

Really thought with a dog it's as much about mental input as physical. They ALL need to use their brains as well as their legs.

Staffies! My sadly deceased staffie girl ticked all your boxes. She had great recall, great with other dogs and kids, so affectionate and was equally happy on a long walk or a bike ride and lazing around on the sofa. I've known a lot of staffies and I can honestly say I've never known one I disliked. They're such friendly little dogs!

no idea about dogs, but I'm a runner.

the runners with dogs I come across seem to either have a poodle/poddle cross or border collies.

always with a harness. I run near or in a nature reserve where dogs have to be on lead. and on roads not the have a dog on s lead would be daft.

Staffies!

The OP doesn't say where she is, other than not UK, but Staffies are banned/restricted in several other countries.

Dalmatian would tick all boxes other than size. You’d be looking at about 27kg for a female. Shame as they love having a run with their owners

There's a lot more countries where they aren't banned than they are.

I've recommended them based on my own experience with them, they're my bikejoring buddies, all round family dogs and complete snugglers when they need to be (I've been very poorly in the past and they've gone 3 days with no proper walk with no issue).

They are very popular pets in the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Italy, Austria, Australia, South Africa and more.

Whippet

We have a pointer x springer spaniel. He would love this. He doesn't NEED that much exercise, we have a reasonably large garden and he's happy if someone goes out and kicks his ball around for him but my goodness can he run when he has the opportunity, but his recall is pretty good.

Whippet!! Gorgeously loyal, would run all day if you wanted to but equally, would sleep by the radiator if given the choice!

Plus they don't leave hair. Mine has amazing recall, they're extremely loyal and not aggressive.

Honestly, I’d forget about the running and concentrate on what other traits you want... I don’t mean don’t take it running, I mean, avoid exaggerated breeds (squashed faces, tiny or giant etc.) avoid anything that’s more likely to want to do a quick sprint (like greyhounds) and as a fit healthy adult it’ll run with you.

A 10k run at human speed isn’t particularly active for a dog.

Depends what country you're in, but we have a Samoyed, rain deer herder, can pull a sled with a group, but they're not like husky dogs exercise wise.
Ours is 20kg(almost fully grown), considered medium size dogs, perhaps a little big, but they're loyal, great fun and great draft excluders 😋... oh and fur wise they blow their coats twice a year but not big shedders (unless you're unlucky) in between - I wouldn't get a brush full if I brushed her now when she's not shedding

Our cockapoo runs with my DH, he has run 20k plus but is also happy with a street potter and poo. I know people don’t love them but his recall is perfect and he also likes the sitting in the pub after 😁

Poodle cross?

We have poodle x bichon and she does fell walks of 15km with us. I only run 5ks but she runs rings around me as I do them; she'd definitely manage much further.

Tibetan Terrier (not a Terrier!!)
They tick all your boxes... size, exercise needs and usually don't stray or go after small furry things.

A 10k run at human speed isn’t particularly active for a dog.

It's quite demoralizing when you're running and look down and see your dog barely breaking into a trot alongside!

OK, sorry OP if you live in St Lucia, Singapore or Mauritius

Not for the faint hearted but you’ve owned dogs before- how about a patterdale terrier. My friend has one and they switch very well between long runs, hiking or just a nice long walk
they are strong willed though and not sure if perhaps a bit smaller than you wanted.

My cairn would be up for that but recall...it's on his terms!

OK, sorry OP if you live in St Lucia, Singapore or Mauritius

They're restricted in more places than that, a colleague turned down a job in Germany because she couldn't take her staffie with her (fine for a holiday, not to live apparently)

Just a consideration for the OP that's all. Most of the ones I've met have been lovely dogs.

Norwegian Elkhound

If you have trained a GSD and a greyhound before, will be running 3-4 times perweek (either off lead or on a bungee lead, it's not clear but both are good in different ways and once trained you can mix it up) and can offer off-lead walks on the other days then you should be fine with any medium sized herding breed. If going for a puppy check the in-breeding co-efficient and make sure the parents are hipscored. I know BCs get a bad rap on here because without enough exercise and handler focus they are a massive handful and I admit mine was as a puppy and I don't usually recommend them although I love mine. But with training and plenty of exercise and stimulation all the ones I know are delightful. The sad barky neurotic ones are the product of inappropriate lifestyles, but yours doesn't sounds inappropriate. I don't know where you are, most countries have their own herding breed traditions and obviously there may be dogs that suit your terrain etc better. But herders are mostly healthy, intelligent, robust and capable of being left alone if need be. They have a lot to recommend them.

OP, you asked about training terriers and I managed to wipe the quote having almost finished my reply...

It depends very much on the terrier and what it was bred for. Our JRT was bred on a farm for farm purposes (ratting) and was entirely deaf when after rabbits or similar.

Dogs bred with more focus on looks will almost certainly have much lower prey drive, which will make recall a lot easier. They will probably also be much less scent motivated, which will make loose-lead walking easier, too. They might also be less energetic and thus even more likely to hang around near you.

I know a cocker and sprocker spaniel who have exactly that kind of lifestyle and it's perfectly sufficient. They're 7 and 5.

They do cani-cross with their owner 2-3 times a week, and the rest of the time it's about an hour of walks over the course of a day. They're not destructive, don't suffer from anxiety and are very fit, happy dogs.