hi, wondering if anyone has had good experiences with dogs as running partners. i’m looking for a breed that i can take with me for runs of up to an hour and a half if that’s possible. the smaller the better, but let me know some recommendations please! thanks!
A buddy of mine has these two huge black things. -No idea what they are. If anyone came near her on a run they would disembowel them. I went running with her and them. It was OK. Just OK. No better.
I’m a cat person, and cats only run in short bursts.
I have two German Shorthaired Pointers.You can’t out run one of these dogs.Off lead they will go for hours.Generally around 50 to 70 pounds.Sweet tempermant.Real lovers.I have A buddy that has a Mini. Dachshound that handle an hour and a half with no problem.
Cullen
I have two choclate labs that love to run. They are addicted to our Sunday long run and love to run in any weather. Distance has never been an issue, but they are not exactly small (60-70 lbs). I couldn’t imagine running without them.
Generally a 30-60 pound mutt from your local animal shelter is the best way to go. You’ll be doing a good deed and getting an excellent buddy. I’ve had several running dogs over the years and the very best one has been a little 45 pound mixed breed. She can tick off 6:30 miles all day long.
This is probably obvious, but you’ll be better off with a sleeker build (collie or greyhound type) than you will with a stouter build (boxer or chow type).
We have an Australian Shepherd puppy (8 months) that I have started running with. He is an exercise machine! While our runs are a little shorter due to his puppy nature he will be able to go for multi-hour runs once full grown. These dogs get to be about 50 pounds max. Not only can they run, you have to run them or they go stir crazy and start trying to herd your family. He has gotten me out on days I would otherwise have bagged it.
I think the weather conditions you run in will be a factor of the dog you choose. In warm humid temps my lab can only run 2-3 miles before she is panting wheezing. In cooler temps she runs for ever.
Evan you must have labs with a high V02 Max 
Best of luck, in the winter I could not think of running w/o maggie!
GS
Last night I was sitting in the local bar and if i had one of those phones that could send a picture ,I think I could of found just what you need : )
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Running with dogs is great especially on barely populated trails so you can unleash them. But train them to run on your heel if unleashed while on trails (they’ll actually almost do this on their own anyway with a bit of experience and a little reinforcement).
Aussies and Border Collies (and mixes thereof) are great running companion dogs. We have two that are mixes of those two breeds and they’re great. You can get their energy out with as simple as a 3 mile run and I’ve had them on runs up to 14 miles and they hang in there well. Just be sure to remember they need water on long runs too, so plan appropriately. Also, especially if you’re running trails with them, ease them into mileage gradually so they can build “callous” on the pads of their feet, otherwise they can easily shred/blister on rocks, etc. No Asics for Spot.
From what I’ve seen, your typical lab makes a good running dog as well. Really most mid-size or a bit larger breeds do well. Obviously just don’t consider any of the pip-squeek annoying yap-yap dogs like Shelties, Shih-tzus, Scotties, Pomeranians, etc. Basically, if you could confuse their “droppings” for your own, (c’mon…you know you look), they’re about the right size. Additionally, if you’re looking for a dog that can run for long, don’t consider the typical “running breed” Greyhound as they are built for more of a drag racing brand of running and can wind up injured when running more than shorter darts and sprints.
Good luck and enjoy…your dog will for sure.
haha, i’ve already got a two legged ‘fox’ for a partner, just looking for one with four legs that can run faster!
most definitely NOT a bulldog 
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Any dog from the pound will do. There are too many dogs without homes already. Go to the pound, pick-up a hyper 2 year-old lab mix or greyhound (you’ll have to go to a greyhound rescue for that) and you’ll have a running partner and friend for life.
Why not adopt a greyhound from a greyhound rescue center? I have heard they make great pets, and I’m sure you couldn’t outrun one.
I have a German Shepard. He can run like no tomorrow. He is a bit big, but very lean and can run all day. I actually ran a 5k with him on the lead at a small town road race and we managed to win in the 15:30 range, with him never breaking a sweat. J actually slowed right before the line so he “won” the race, finishing about a foot in front of me. I remember another day doing a tempo run at 5:30 pace and he managed to easily pace me without actually running, just a trot - while stopping to crap one or twice, piss about 8 times and sniff about 12 other things. I am careful with him when it is very hot and humid, just like I am for myself for the most part. Somedays he is better left at home if too hot and humid.
I do have people ask how my dog can run so much. I try to impress upon them the tremendous efficeincy a dog has compared to us . . . that said, I think most breeds will be able to easily run with us with obvious types you may want to avoid such as those mentioned above.
Plus, if you run on the road enough you won’t have to trim their nails.
I have A buddy that has a Mini. Dachshound that handle an hour and a half with no problem
An hour-and-a-half of what? With legs that small it’s certainly not running?!
Tri_Bri2,
I like your sentiment. I’ve adopted retired greys and they are terrific animals.
Unfortunately they are not built for distance training. They are purely built for speed. They will chase down cars if allowed the opportunity; which gives them a poor survivability factor off leash.
Also, Greys being bred for speed, have a blood chemistry that makes them more prone to heat intolerance. Basically, if they get over-heated their blood will thicken in their veins and the threat to their life if this happens is very great.
When I adopted I was advised not to expect more than a 2-3 mile run with them in accompaniment.
Current K9 running partner is a 25 pound mixed breed rescue. She can hold a good pace. Haven’t run long with her yet. I also have 2 poodle pups I plan to run with next summer when their full grown. I’ve never run with any of my previous poodles but have summited about a dozen 14ers here in Colorado with one of them and had no problems. I know you’re thinking a poodle is a small, yappy dust mop. Not these. They are standard poodles and will be 70-80 pounds when full grown. They are extremely intelligent and can go hiking for hours carrying a pack.
The Best Dog for Running Partner… is the one you rescue from the pound or rescue group.
Our breed of choice is Dalmations. We have three (two are rescues)! These are carriage dogs and were bred to run long distances along with horse and buggy. They have great hips, and a long life span. Though short haired they shed like crazy, so you’ll need a lint roller (everywhere… the car, the office, etc… small price to pay). There is a deafness issue, and one of our dogs is completely deaf. She’s a great little dog, and obediance trained with sign language, but she can never be off leash. There is also a rare blatter stone issue. I’m lucky enough to have two males with this condition… Egads… sometimes I truely believe muts are better, but we fans of this breed, and there is a local rescue group.
Dals are medium sized. Ours are 70 lbs (very large for a Dal), 55lbs, and 45 lbs.
THEY ARE NOT HYPER! Man, I hate it when people ask me “Aren’t your dogs hyper”? (I prefer “Spirited”…and yes, they are spirited!)
Life is better with spots! I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Joel
My two cents…
Go to the local humane society. They will match you up with a good running dog. These people work with the dogs constantly and will know which one would be a good fit, so you don’t have to gamble with a puppy.
-Trisha
Greyhounds, as pointed out, are short distance sprinters. That doesn’t mean they cannot go on longer runs, but check with your vet. I thought I read/heard somewhere that long runs for Greyhounds can wreak havok on their hips (strurally). They make tremendous pets though, and I encourage people to adopt ones that are “retired” race dogs (I have a buddy in KC that has 2 of em). Hey, they’re already trained. Fantastic temperment on those dogs.
I have a “lab” (translation: 50-pound black dog). Well, he’s mostly lab ;). We just adopted an australian cattle dog from pet project (a no-kill shelter). I wish I had known of these dogs earlier in my life. They are perfect. My 2.5 year old son walks around with ours in a headlock (hug) all night, and they both love it. Very affectionate and loyal. Will keep your feet warm at all times.
I tried taking them both running simultaneously (I couldn’t choose which one to leave back), and it was a huge mistake All 3 of us ran a different direction). I may break my 6 mile run into 2, 3-mile runs (with a 2-3 minute “dog exchange” in between), or just alternate weeks with them.
They are both good runners, but not together.
Quick question: what is the general rule for how long a dog could/should go without water on a run? (I know this depends on temp). An hour is not too much? I have only went on short runs/walks (15-20 minutes with them).