Dog gets tired easily

[NonPithyBird]

I have a really sweet staffy x kelpie girl who is about 20 months. She has always worried me as she tires easily at the park. After a few ball throws or some running around with friends, she needs a lay down in the shade. Other kelpies I know can go all day, but today my girl lay down after about 15 mins of quite a bit running. It is winter where I live and quite cold today so I don't think she's overheating. We go to the park every day and she's walked again in the evening so I don't think she unfit, although recently she had an ear infection so we kept away from the park for a few weeks.

I thought it may have been a puppy thing but she is not really a puppy any more. I had a vet check her over and listen to her heart, and she said she was fine. She is not over weight. I'm wondering if this is normal or if I should get another opinion? Anyone else's staffy, kelpie or other pup do the same thing?

Staffies aren't really bred to run for long periods of time - I wonder if you're expecting a bit too much from her? I know she's a mix, but it could be that the "staffy" part of her is stronger, if that makes sense.

I walk dogs for a living and I'd say that the vast majority of them would want a lie down or a break after 15 minutes of (in your words) "quite a bit of running". They all much prefer to potter and sniff with "bursts" of running etc. instead.

My staffords are 13 and 3.
Neither of them have any issues like you are describing.
I would get the vet to do full bloods personally.
That mixture of breeds should not be like you are saying

Vet nurse here, i would get the vet to listen to her heart .
If there is a problem there are meds that she can be put on now before things advance to a more severe grade , its not the end of the world having a dog with a heart murmur and many live fit and happy lives .
Of course there may be another issue or even none at all , the vet will also check her weight as this could contribute if she is over weight.
whatever the reason i would book a vet check soon.

OP has already said the dogs' heart has been checked (and is fine) and that she's not overweight...

It's right there in the opening post, lol.

Thank you for your replies. I did wonder if it's the staffy in her, and if it's common to have a lazier kind of staffy, not just the pocket rockets! I think I will monitor and speak to a vet again if it continues like yesterday.

If it's running after a ball where she struggled, have you had her checked for pain?

Repetitive ball throwing can do a hell of a lot of damage to their joints.

I hope you listen better to customers in practice than you did reading the OP

A friend's four year old dog did this. Unfortunately he turned out to have kidney failure, so it might be worth seeing your vet again and asking for the appropriate tests.

I hadn't considered kidney issues, thank you for the tip. No, she doesn't seem to be in pain though I appreciate they can mask it well. Hmmm. Thanks so much your caring about her too ❤

Oops 😬 apologies for not reading post properly !

How does she walk?
If you leave the balls at home, can she walk for a good distance?

I had a Staffy once. She didn't play fetch very well, she'd chase what I threw and get to it and just lie down and chew it instead of bringing it back.
Now when it came to walking, OTOH, she could walk for hours and hours and hours. I'd get to about 10 miles and be ready to quit, she'd be happy to go another 10.

I worried about hips, legs, feet, lungs, heart etc had her checked repeatedly. The vet used to say as long as she's walking happily and seems 'happy' snuffling in the bushes, just accept she isn't a fetchy ball carrier.. she's a sniffy wanderer.

(I don't regret having her checked over though. X-ray the hips and feet perhaps?)

TuesdayWhistler - I hope that's what it is for my girl too. Quite possibly! I'll still monitor her for all the symptoms above but will try and test this theory too. She is definitely a sniffy wanderer. She acts like she like loves the ball but maybe she's not as built for it.

Meow

Leave the ball at home. Take her for more enriching walks and see how she goes.

Relentless ball throwing is really bad for dogs. It’s ok in moderation but mentally and physically is really hard on them.

Once built up slowly I’d expect a young terrier to be able to walk all day. Mine can (Border).

If she’s still struggling then a full blood work up and possibly heart scan would be the next step.

Exactly what Newpeep said above.