I know this has been discussed before but I am looking for people that have specific knowledge with Golden Retrievers. My golden will be 1 on 12/24. I have not taken him running yet because of the dangers of running with a puppy (to the puppy). Some publications say that I should wait until he is at least 18 months, others say 12 months. What are some of your opinions. How should I start off…do a few weeks of short (2 miles) runs then move up from there?
I have two Goldens. BOTH of them have had BOTH of their ACLs repaired.
I live with daily guilt of wondering if our long runs in the woods caused it. No more Goldens for me after these two. Ridgebacks, I think.
I don’t have goldens, but have two irish setters. I have been running with them since they were one. Now my girl is 6, and boy is 8. No running related injuries so far. I was careful not to have them run on paved surface - they have always run on grass or on trails. My dogs’ breeder (who has been breeding dogs for over 30 years) felt that uninjured, sound sporting dogs should be able to run / walk 2-3 miles without any problems. I also run with them off leash so that they do not necesssarily have to try keep up with me (it is actually the other way around). This way, they are actually running at their own pace and can rest. If this is not an option for you, you may want to have a super long leash so they can rest. You should also make sure you have a ton of water - My husband and I use a camelbak. I think running with your dog is the greatest thing - it has been a wonderful bonding as well as training experience.
orthotics
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I’ve had Goldens and Labs. Took them running and x-country skiing with me from about the age of 12 mos. None ever had a problem. When they’re young, let them run at their own pace. I always ran them on nature trails and never ran more than a couple of hours at a time, but that was probably my limitation, not theirs.
I go on my training runs - then I also have “Estee” runs. These, there are no set pace. If she stops to smell a tree - I stop. She gets to pick the trails and the pace. I wont let her go for too awful long. She decides it all (and I think that would be more healthy for her than trying to stay at my side on a trail).
Mine, btw, are not related to each other, except for the breed. One is purebred, the other a golden/setter mix. They were never run on anything other than trails, never on leash, and have always been treated well.
Go figure, huh? I can’t run with them anymore and it really kills me to leave them behind. They know what putting on my running shoes means - time to chase deer and fox!
I have an 80lb male that I thought was going to make a good running partner, but around my house it just isn’t his speed. I’d take him on the trails if we had any. if I take him around here he pulls me the first two miles and then downshifts into a 10 min mile for the rest of the run. Also I won’t bring him out for a run of over a mile if it is over 65 deg outside.
I started runing him at his own pace at about 12 months.
I have a 6 year old female Golden (and a male shepard/lab mix) and I started running both of them at 18 months. I did some test runs for 1 - 2 miles the first couple of weeks, then gradually extended the distance to 4 - 5 miles. I keep the runs on trails as much as possible and don’t run them over 70 degrees.
Mark