This is a question for any dog owners who run long distance with thier dogs -
My girlfriend and I run with our new dog. He’s 9 months old and a shepard mix. He weighs about 45-50 LBs.
We took him for a 7 mile run last weekend - a little over an hour.
Our vet was saying don’t run him over one mile. We explained to the vet how much running we do, and the vet relented and said nothing over an hour.
He kept up with us for seven miles and didn’t whine at all. We gave him a lot of water at the end of the run, but none during. He got in a total of 22 miles last week (three fives and a seven).
How far can we take the dog? Should we bring water with us for him? What do we look for on his paws to indicate he’s running too much? What are long-term effects on dogs who run this much?
While the dog may be having a good time, it is REALLY bad on a large dogs’ developing hips to run much. As Shepards have a very high incidence of hip dysplasia (sp) you may be incurring damage to his joints that is irreversable. I’d say you shouldn’t do any more than the vet has OKed. I’m not a vet, but this is pretty common knowledge for owners of large dogs.
There was a thread on this pretty recently - within the last month. You could probably get a lot of answers through a search.
Anyways, you’re going to hear it from people who are really, really ardent about not running their dogs before they’re at least one year, and many people are going to say don’t run them before 18 months.
I have no experience with running with the dogs - I’ve never run with mine - but just giving you a heads up.
Until they prove it to you otherwise, assume the dog might get hurt and it’s their run, not yours. Off-season, early season is great for this. Some dogs will run and run and run…and then pop. When they pop you’ll feel like an ASS, not to mention you’re now several miles from home with a dog that won’t run.
What the other poster said about German Shepherds. We regularly go to a dog park in Pasadena and most of the shepherds we see look more than a little jacked up in the hips. I have two labs, from the shelter, one about 6yo, 72lb, is good for about an hour at my wife’s pace, the other is a friggin’ stud, 2yo, 59-60lb. He’s just trots until I hit about 5’ pace down a hill. But it’s still their run. We talk about school, their girlfriends…wait, your dog doesn’t talk?
Did your vet give you a time frame? Mine told me no “running” (though lots of play running around) until 11 months. Then he said to start with 30 minute runs.
My dog is a strong runner, I’ve taken her on up to 20 mile runs (working up to it with me), and as an adult dog, she has no problem with that. She is a running-type breed.
Years ago, my ex-husband and I ran our german shepard, though generally not long distances, and later she had a lot of trouble with her hips. I believe that jumping in and out of pickups was more the trouble than running, but who knows for sure.
I’d listen to the vet.
Re: water - definitely bring water if there isn’t any for the dog while you are running. 5-7 is probably okay without, depending on weather. When it gets hot though, I always carry water for the mutt.
One question, did your father take you for 7 mile runs when you were 3 years old? Listen to the vet and let his bones and body develop, then start running him. Make your run a loop so you can drop him off at your home after 15-20 minutes then continue for the rest of your run.
I think the general vet opinion says no structured running for such a big dog until about 12 months old - My dogs (ESS) run with our family everywhere and love it - but they are much smaller and the breed does not suffer from Hips issues.
I was told by my vet that it was a year, but I would image that it varies depending on type of dog pace etc. I have a big lab 90lbs and a little westie 12lbs that are both around 5 years old and we go for runs together. They go on my easy days 3-6 miles and we go to a local high school/park and run around the soccer fields without lesines when nobody is around. It may be boring but it gives them a chance to cut the corners when they are tired. The westie after about 4 loops figures it out that we are just running in circles and lays in middle and watches the boys run around and around. I did do a hard mile one time with the Lab and he hustled to 4:30 mile!
Dogs can do long runs…two examples.Scott Jurek winner of Western States 100 run with his dog alot and I once did a 50 mile trail run and a guy had a Labrador who ran the WHOLE 50 miles with him…now…whether that the right thing is not my call…
I have been running with my two irish setters for 7+ years. I strongly recommending not running 7 miles with them. Your dog’s joints and bones are not yet fully developed. Even if your dog seems to enjoy the run, constant impact may not be good for him, particularly if you are running him on leash. You will not be able to see any visible injuries either until it is too late. I recommend off-leash short (2-3 mile) runs where the dog has a chance to run at his / her pace. It would be better if your runs are on trails vs. paved roads. Please remember that you have to work up to high mileage with dogs just as with people. Dogs also need more water than people (imagine running with your fur coat on) - I carry Camelbak with me. Remember - dogs are like little children. They do not know what is good or bad for them.
I have a four and a half year old Vizsla and I started running with him when was about 10 months old. For the first three months I only ran 10-15 minutes with him. After he hit 13 months which was September I slowly started uping his time or mileage. By the time May came he was ready to start going on long runs with me. I have ran up to 20 miles with him.
I would be very careful with the shepard because they are a larger breed and they grow faster than my dog. I would not run him over 30 mintues until he is 18 months to give him time to grow.
When the summer does hit he is going to need water on runs over 30 minutes. I taught my dog to drink from the water fountain, so I don’t have to carry any with me.
Thanks everyone. I will immediately cut back on running anything longer than a few miles with him for at least six months. At that time, I’ll double check with the vet and see if he can go longer.
I see that it is my responsibility to keep him safe and in shape and playing with him rather than running (most of which is on asphalt) is the way to go. I need to go buy a “chuck-it” this weekend.
I’m much more interested in keeping him happily walking longer in life than having him able to run ten miles with me his first year in existence. just in case - I am also going to look into pet insurance for him. If, over time, running him does cause some issues with his knees, this might help out financially (albeit it won’t help him physically).
Dog’s don’t always make it obvious when they are hurt. I’ve seen people running around with lame dogs and have no clue the dog is hurt. Dogs cannot run comfortably in weather much above 7o degrees. Dogs do not sweat, so they suffer from direct sun more than humans.
Dogs will run themselves to injury or heat exhaustion and not show it until it’s too late. Many dogs have a drive to keep going that lets them ignore the pain until they collapse.
There is no magic number to tell you when its ok to run a dog. It depends on their structure, conformation and joint health. What is a healthy amount for one dog with good joints may injure one prone to joint problems. Not all dogs are athletes, even in the same breed.
The bigger the dog, the less able they are to run long distances, the more prone to heat stroke.
Its a German SHEPHERD. not a sheppard. They are so named because they were used to herd sheep! (this is not a spelling criticism, just correction of a proper name.)
Treat your dog like an athlete, you build the intensity and distance over time.
I don’t think there is a special mileage that a dog can go…it’s different for all. I carry a water bottle on runs over an hour…most of it goes to my dog. When it’s hot, I try to run by water so he can jump in every 20 mins or so…every thing I have heard or read has said to wait until dogs are bigger (1 year+)…as stated in previous post…lots of dogs run lots of miles out there…mine happens to be one so I feel pretty lucky.
A 45-50 lb. dog is not a big dog. In fact it is near perfect for a long distance runner. I’ve got a 48 lb Britanny who I do 95% of my running with, including 2 hr long runs. Anything under 80 degrees and he can outrun me easilty. In the warmer weather you must be careful. They will push it too far to keep up with you. Make sure he gets lots of water, either carry it or let him jump in a nearby lake or stream. My dog is the best running partner I’ve ever had. I’ll echo what others have said, give it some time for him to mature and build up the mileage with him over the next 6 months or so.
Listen to the vet and let his bones and body develop, then start running him. Make your run a loop so you can drop him off at your home after 15-20 minutes then continue for the rest of your run.