So the girlfriend and I are looking into getting a dog (or two). I have been reading up on which breeds are the best for runners, and it looks like pitbulls are actually really great running dogs. We are probably going to adopt a pit bull mix puppy from a local shelter since there is a huge overpopulation of them and unfortunately they have a hard time adopting pitbulls out.
So my question is, how do you get the dog ready for running? My girlfriend and I both run 4-5x a week and log anywhere from 25-50 miles depending on the time of year, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the pupster to run. How do you go about stuff like ramping up mileage, intensity etc? We are probably going to get the dog right after we both do the Philly marathon in late November, so we will both be on low mileage in intensity then building it back up after the new year. Can our dog basically follow the same basic training plan we do, ie start of at lower mileage and intensity and build from there over the course of the year?
My wife and I run at least 3x weekly with my Weimaraner/Dane mix, she’s extremely athletic and loves to run…with the Texas heat/humidity she’s only up to a strong 3-4 miles before fading. I usually end up doing a 5k loop with her, drop her back off at the house and finishing my mileage out. But she’s steadily increasing her endurance. When adding mileage (for her sake) I’ll stop occasionally and see what she does, if she pulls a bit and acts like she wants to go on…we’ll go on. If she stops or sits like she’s completely worn out, we’ll turn back. Takes some patience…but it’s a completely cool experience to have a running partner who doesn’t complain, goes where YOU want to go, and is not too talkative. Plus it keeps my mind off of stressing about negative splits and HR.
I can’t really comment on the best way to introduce the pup to runs, but I’m sure a gradual increase would be the way to go. When we got our dog the vet said to wait until he was about a year old before taking him on runs. Something about running at one speed and one direction for an extended time being bad for developing joints–of course that might be breed specific, but I’d check with a vet. We are just getting to the year mark now but his growth has stopped so he goes for short 2-4 mile runs with us every now and then and we are planning on making those more frequent before adding distance (I loop back to the house and take him for the last couple of miles). Let me know what plan you come up with. Enjoy the new family member.
I waited until my Vizsla puppy was 18 months before I started running with him. I built his mileage up slowly by running my warmup or cool down with him for the first month. Then I slowly added mileage like I would with myself. When he was 4 and I was training for a marathon I took him for every run with me including speed work and I hit 80 miles one week with a long run of 22 miles. He is starting to slow down now because he is 8 and he doesn’t go on many of my runs with me anymore, but for ~5 years I had a great running buddy. Now I take him with me when I am running trails and he loves it because he can be off leash.
A Vizsla is a great dog. They are smart, energetic, and loving.
I have two dogs that I run with. Both are mutts with one being a hunter-type (7 ys old - skinny and fast) and the other a hurder-type (4 yrs old - plumper and quick). Both love to run with us. We usually only take them for 2-4 miles on the road like 2-3x per week, but we like to take them on the trails where they can run as much as they want and chase things. Definitely ease you dog into it and keep them out of the heat. Not many ways for them to cool down. My dogs are by far in their best shape over the winter. Run pace is usually easy which is slow for them. They are great at settling into a pace and look like they are just trotting along. I think they sort of space out soetime too, just like humans.
Again, thank you and if I can help in any way send me a PM. Lot’s of dog folks on ST you sare in good hands here.
I have a Husky/Pit bull mix who loves to run. In the Florida winter I can run with her for 5-6 miles (max has been 10 but next year I want to try the local 1/2 with her), but in the summer she’s good for maybe 2-3 miles - if that. I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks. I didn’t begin to run with her until she was about 4 months, but that was just 0.5miles and mixed with walking. I gradually built up her miles as she aged.
Make sure there is grass or soft terrain where you run. After awhile the sidewalk can hurt or chew up their pads. The biggest problem I have with her are squirrels. She also doesn’t pay attention to me so my arms get a work-out. She’s strong so I have a choke collar on her. It’s enough to keep her under control but doesn’t hinder her breathing or running ability.
I have a one year old springer spaniel. First off they are gorgeous dogs and are perfect for the family. I’ve been able to train mine with very little work. Mine can run well in both hot and cold conditions and is very good for up to 5 miles. (ive never made him go over that but I’m sure he could)
Congrats on getting a dog and I’m sure you’ll love whatever you get.
I have a lab-rottweiler cross and a lab-something else cross (maybe husky or shepherd). They don’t mind running, but like everyone else said, can’t go too long in really hot weather. I generally run them no more that 45 minutes. They are pretty good runners, and were easy to train. But personally I prefer to run on my own rather than stopping for doggy potty breaks, etc.
Came close to killing her. Not being dramatic. True Story. She was stubborn and would squat every 10 feet or so. I’d tug a little to teach her, not yank, not drag. I love dogs, not mean to the animals. But, after about 20 minutes of jog, tug, stop, jog, tug, stop…,she laid down on the ground and didn’t get up. I though she was being stubborn and when I tried to get her up, she was limp, eyes rolled back, white tongue and frothy. I picked her up and could feel her heart beating through her chest, only it was beating around 1 beat every 5 seconds, around 20bpm as opposed to the high HR that any small dog should have on a normal basis. I’m trained to handle this stuff on adults, but never thought I’d be doing CPR on our puppy on a sidewalk in our neighborhood. Yepper…mouth to snout! Breath, Breath…some light chest squeezes to make sure some blood would circulate…did this for about 5 minutes and…YAHOOO…she perked up! One of the craziest things I’ve been through. Took her to the vet that day to make sure she was ok. I carried her home and she’s doing great. I hadn’t been choking her with the leash, but it had been pulling on her neck (carotids) too hard and this can trigger a bradycardia (VERY slow HR), even stop the heart. She was about 6 months old then. Didn’t try another run until she was about 1.5 years old. And now I take her to the meadow on the leash, drop it, and she runs great right beside me. No grudges, but I don’t think she remembers that whole month
Plus it keeps my mind off of stressing about negative splits and HR.