A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

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Date: 09 Dec 2006 13:02:23
From:
Subject: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

This family of five is currently dog less but ready and willing for
the plunge into canine co-dependency. As it will be to father that the
year on year bottom line responsibility for exercising the family dog
eventually falls; which breed might be expected to adapt best to his
running habit. Currently that's six miles X six days a week at
10'30 pace through a mostly urban park environment but with about
two of the miles of that on deserted wide pavements (occasional
vehicle passing at quite a lick).All weathers. Obviously my main
concern in choosing a breed is to balance a colourful quality of
enthusiasm for running with an aptitude for picking up common sense
discipline. The latter may not be as easy as I'd hoped but I'm ready
to take the up challenge in good leadership of the pack spirit. But
I'll go with humble too if that's what it takes. (I suspect I'm going
to to have to confront my OCD big time somewhere along the line.)

At the moment I'm perusing labrador, dalmation or some cross of these
two breeds. Possibly there's a much more suitable breed out there? And
there's a whole lot I don't know about - - - foot care for running
dogs on tarmac/concrete for instance. Any experienced dog
exercisers/running dogs care to point up any tips? And which
sex/gender- - - entire or neutered?

Date: 09 Dec 2006 09:51:15
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

"For 10K runs, you may want to consider a Maltese."
~ Twittering

"Indeed,
But please acquire a comfy backpack for your puppy."
~ Mum

Date: 09 Dec 2006 09:47:16
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

~ * Maltese Lane,
A lovely place to run ...

http://malteseonly.com/jaybev.html

~ * ~

Date: 09 Dec 2006 09:44:59
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

For 10K runs, you may want to consider a Maltese.

Date: 09 Dec 2006 09:42:53
From: Twittering One
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

I have read that dalmations are difficult to train, rather high-strung
and distractable

As mentioned, any dog with a "compromised snout," eg, bull dog, will
have breathing problems.

In the city, I see most often a lab or retriever, as a runner's
companion; essential working dogs, with strong frames and friendly
dispositions.

Date: 09 Dec 2006 07:58:27
From: Charlie Pendejo
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

Phil wrote:
> there are some runners that rave about their Vizsla

Yeah, I've read probably the same raves - sounds like the typical
Vizsla loves running and is great with people. Don't know that I've
ever seen one in person.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizsla

Date: 09 Dec 2006 15:26:20
From: Phil M.
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

tom@despamthisbit.sleepybones.com wrote:

> At the moment I'm perusing labrador, dalmation or some cross of these
> two breeds. Possibly there's a much more suitable breed out there? And
> there's a whole lot I don't know about - - - foot care for running
> dogs on tarmac/concrete for instance. Any experienced dog
> exercisers/running dogs care to point up any tips? And which
> sex/gender- - - entire or neutered?

On another list there are some runners that rave about their Vizsla.
http://tinyurl.com/yd8mvd. Not the most beautiful dog on the planet (IMO),
but built for long distance running, both physically and mentally.

--
Phil M.

Date: 09 Dec 2006 06:52:28
From: Black Metal Martha
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

I used to run years ago with my Chesapeake Retriever (RIP Jessie the
Chessie). He was an awesome running partner. I would take him on runs
up to 4 miles. His paws were used to the pavement, so it never bothered
him. And if I overslept or missed a run, he'd let me know. At the time,
I lived along the bay, so afterwards, he'd go for a dip.

Can't keep Chessies out of water. I love that breed.

Date: 09 Dec 2006 06:43:18
From: Al Bundy
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

tom@despamthisbit.sleepybones.com wrote:
> This family of five is currently dog less but ready and willing for
> the plunge into canine co-dependency. As it will be to father that the
> year on year bottom line responsibility for exercising the family dog
> eventually falls; which breed might be expected to adapt best to his
> running habit. Currently that's six miles X six days a week at
> 10'30 pace through a mostly urban park environment but with about
> two of the miles of that on deserted wide pavements (occasional
> vehicle passing at quite a lick).All weathers. Obviously my main
> concern in choosing a breed is to balance a colourful quality of
> enthusiasm for running with an aptitude for picking up common sense
> discipline. The latter may not be as easy as I'd hoped but I'm ready
> to take the up challenge in good leadership of the pack spirit. But
> I'll go with humble too if that's what it takes. (I suspect I'm going
> to to have to confront my OCD big time somewhere along the line.)
>
> At the moment I'm perusing labrador, dalmation or some cross of these
> two breeds. Possibly there's a much more suitable breed out there? And
> there's a whole lot I don't know about - - - foot care for running
> dogs on tarmac/concrete for instance. Any experienced dog
> exercisers/running dogs care to point up any tips? And which
> sex/gender- - - entire or neutered?

Many people run with all sizes of dogs, but small dogs would have a
problem with the distance you plan. In fact, be prepared to make
regular stops with almost any dog. The ability to learn to run at your
side is quite variable and there are people that can help you train
your dog. My friend runs a 4 mile course 6 days a week with Emmie the
Airedale. She is off the leash half the time in the park area. That's a
big help. WE have people that rescue greyhounds in my area. They are
quite shy of people, but usually friendly. And they love to run every
day. I ran with one a few weeks ago that was just retired from racing,
still a young dog at three. She was on a short leash and never wanted
to stop, pull or get in the way. Don't forget that last factor. Dogs
have a tendency to run between your legs and trip a runner.

Date: 09 Dec 2006 06:29:10
From: Jane
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

I run with my border collie or maybe I should say I run because of my
border
collie. I'm not recommending the breed though as they are herding dogs
and
tend to like to go after anything moving - cars, bicycles, etc. until
very
well trained. I run on a trail so it's not a problem but would never
run
him near a road off leash. You have to be careful about running with
a
pup. You shouldn't run any distance with a dog until they are fully
grown
(hence the shelter dog is a good idea). You should also gradually
acclimatize a dog to running on pavement. I suspect it would be really
hard
on the pads until they have toughened up so gradually work up to the
distance and keep an eye on the pads. You should be cautious about
running
the dog in the heat (early moring is usually ok) specially if the dog
is
black. If you are in a heat wave, I'd tend to leave the dog at home.
The
standard poodle is not a bad idea. My brother has one and it is the
most
amazingly athletic dog and very trainable.

Melinda Shore wrote:
> In article <1165672183.097780.251490@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> thehick <thehick@canada.com> wrote:
> >all dogs love to run.
>
> True, and most middle-sized and larger dogs can easily
> outrun a human. Dalmatians might not be suitable not
> because of frailty (they're *not* frail) but because they're
> challenging dogs to live with and train. One of the best
> bets out there for a first-time dog owner who wants to run
> with his dog is a standard poodle. They're athletic,
> level-headed, highly trainable, intelligent, tend to be very
> healthy, and shed relatively little. Greyhounds are also
> great dogs but they're not all that well-suited to high
> miles (they're sprinters and need to get their zoomies out
> regularly but other than that tend to be pretty quiet). If
> you live in a hot climate stay away from stocky dogs,
> double-coated dogs, and dogs with short snouts. Sheep dogs
> of various breeds can be tough to live with, too, as can
> many working breed dogs. Sheep dogs will tend to want to
> herd you (and your children if you've got 'em) and can be a
> little, um, "intense."
>
> Frankly, I'd tend to head down to the shelter and see what
> they've got. As I said, nearly any medium-sized dog is
> going to be able to keep up (and then some), and there are a
> *heck* of a lot of good dogs in need of good homes.
> --
> Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore@panix.com
>
> Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

Date: 09 Dec 2006 06:27:58
From: Jane
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

Melinda Shore wrote:
> In article <1165672183.097780.251490@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> thehick <thehick@canada.com> wrote:
> >all dogs love to run.
>
> True, and most middle-sized and larger dogs can easily
> outrun a human. Dalmatians might not be suitable not
> because of frailty (they're *not* frail) but because they're
> challenging dogs to live with and train. One of the best
> bets out there for a first-time dog owner who wants to run
> with his dog is a standard poodle. They're athletic,
> level-headed, highly trainable, intelligent, tend to be very
> healthy, and shed relatively little. Greyhounds are also
> great dogs but they're not all that well-suited to high
> miles (they're sprinters and need to get their zoomies out
> regularly but other than that tend to be pretty quiet). If
> you live in a hot climate stay away from stocky dogs,
> double-coated dogs, and dogs with short snouts. Sheep dogs
> of various breeds can be tough to live with, too, as can
> many working breed dogs. Sheep dogs will tend to want to
> herd you (and your children if you've got 'em) and can be a
> little, um, "intense."
>
> Frankly, I'd tend to head down to the shelter and see what
> they've got. As I said, nearly any medium-sized dog is
> going to be able to keep up (and then some), and there are a
> *heck* of a lot of good dogs in need of good homes.
> --
> Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore@panix.com
>
> Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

Date: 09 Dec 2006 08:16:13
From: Frank Boettcher
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

On Sat, 09 Dec 2006 13:02:23 +0000, tom@despamthisbit.sleepybones.com
wrote:

>This family of five is currently dog less but ready and willing for
>the plunge into canine co-dependency. As it will be to father that the
>year on year bottom line responsibility for exercising the family dog
>eventually falls; which breed might be expected to adapt best to his
>running habit. Currently that's six miles X six days a week at
>10'30 pace through a mostly urban park environment but with about
>two of the miles of that on deserted wide pavements (occasional
>vehicle passing at quite a lick).All weathers. Obviously my main
>concern in choosing a breed is to balance a colourful quality of
>enthusiasm for running with an aptitude for picking up common sense
>discipline. The latter may not be as easy as I'd hoped but I'm ready
>to take the up challenge in good leadership of the pack spirit. But
>I'll go with humble too if that's what it takes. (I suspect I'm going
>to to have to confront my OCD big time somewhere along the line.)
>
>At the moment I'm perusing labrador, dalmation or some cross of these
>two breeds. Possibly there's a much more suitable breed out there? And
>there's a whole lot I don't know about - - - foot care for running
>dogs on tarmac/concrete for instance. Any experienced dog
>exercisers/running dogs care to point up any tips? And which
>sex/gender- - - entire or neutered?

Until about a two years ago, I ran with my standard poodle. Up to five
miles at a time. As long as the creeks were up so she could drink
along the way and jump in to cool off, she was fine. In the hottest
part of the summer when the creeks were dry, she couldn't go the
distance. They are large, strong dogs and for the most part, run well.
She finally got too old and my wife walks her a couple of miles a day
now.

I ran in areas (woods trails)that would not require her to be leashed.
Too dangerous for me, trip hazzard. I carried a lightweight leash in
my pocket in case I needed it.

My son runs with his field Lab and she seems to adapt to running
fairly well. Same thing though, has trouble with the heat in the
hottest part of the year.

I don't know if they can handle the distance, but there are
organizations that try to find homes for retired racing greyhounds.
My understanding is that they are destroyed when they lose their
speed. Not necessarily old, just not competitive.

Frank

Date: 09 Dec 2006 05:49:43
From: thehick
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

Date: 09 Dec 2006 08:32:06
From: h squared
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

thehick wrote:
> tom@despamthisbit.sleepybones.com wrote:
>
>>This family of five is currently dog less but ready and willing for
>>the plunge into canine co-dependency. As it will be to father that the
>>year on year bottom line responsibility for exercising the family dog
>>eventually falls; which breed might be expected to adapt best to his
>>running habit.
>
>
> all dogs love to run. i would research breeds which have been
> bred for running ability and friendliness. you won't be running
> much with it/him/her if i/h/h wants to fight all the time.
> Sheepdogs might be a good answer. Dalmations? Somehow
> I doubt if a tall skinny legged frail looking dog is the best choice.
> ...thehick
>

one small point- dalmations were (supposedly) bred to run alongside of
carriages and are not usually frail.
http://www.rescueeverydog.org/Dalmation_breed.html.
but i agree that almost all dogs are enthusiastic about running. they
look so happy when they are doing it it makes me smile too.

it is funny- i once wanted a whippet, but all the boys i knew said that
it was too skinny and frail looking so instead we got a boxer. he was
very athletic looking, but could never run far because he was very very
very susceptible to heat. (how did i know? after a mile or so in summer
he would find a bush and lie down under it panting furiously.). if i
wanted to even walk him in summer long distance it had to be in the
woods or near a body of water so he could cool off in it. it may have
just been him and not emblematic of the whole boxer breed, but in
general dogs don't sweat anything like we do, so that's something to
keep in mind.

it's also not necessary to run a dog the entire time one is running- i
often take my pitbull out for a mile or two at first as a kind of
warm-up walk/jog for me, and then take her back home and go out again by
myself. that way she gets exercise and can still sniff every mail box
(dogs need to sniff!) and then i am warmed up and can enjoy real running
by myself afterwards. anyway, a dog is a 10 or 15 year commitment and
will have its own thoughts and feelings and wants. i would chose one
based on compatibility with the 5 member family along with running
ability. (there are lots of books available to browse on dog
temperaments out there to help one out with this stuff.)

as for foot care, etc- after one adopts a dog or buys a puppy (but don't
run your puppy, like another poster mentioned), it will need to go to
the vet for a check up and i would ask the vet about specific dog
running care issues.

crazy dog lady

Date: 09 Dec 2006 09:02:51
From: Melinda Shore
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

In article <1165672183.097780.251490@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com >,
thehick <thehick@canada.com > wrote:
>all dogs love to run.

True, and most middle-sized and larger dogs can easily
outrun a human. Dalmatians might not be suitable not
because of frailty (they're *not* frail) but because they're
challenging dogs to live with and train. One of the best
bets out there for a first-time dog owner who wants to run
with his dog is a standard poodle. They're athletic,
level-headed, highly trainable, intelligent, tend to be very
healthy, and shed relatively little. Greyhounds are also
great dogs but they're not all that well-suited to high
miles (they're sprinters and need to get their zoomies out
regularly but other than that tend to be pretty quiet). If
you live in a hot climate stay away from stocky dogs,
double-coated dogs, and dogs with short snouts. Sheep dogs
of various breeds can be tough to live with, too, as can
many working breed dogs. Sheep dogs will tend to want to
herd you (and your children if you've got 'em) and can be a
little, um, "intense."

Frankly, I'd tend to head down to the shelter and see what
they've got. As I said, nearly any medium-sized dog is
going to be able to keep up (and then some), and there are a
*heck* of a lot of good dogs in need of good homes.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore@panix.com

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

Date: 09 Dec 2006 11:54:47
From: jobs
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

tom@despamthisbit.sleepybones.com wrote:
......
>
> At the moment I'm perusing labrador, dalmation or some cross of these
> two breeds. Possibly there's a much more suitable breed out there? And
> there's a whole lot I don't know about - - - foot care for running
> dogs on tarmac/concrete for instance. Any experienced dog
> exercisers/running dogs care to point up any tips? And which
> sex/gender- - - entire or neutered?

A friend of mine has an Australian shepherd mix which just seems to keep
going like the Energizer bunny. He's very friendly, doesn't bark much,
and tries to make friends with other dogs that he meets on the way. His
running is mainly on trails.

jobs

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Date: 09 Dec 2006 14:18:40
From: Miss Anne Thrope
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

The only breed of dog best for jogging is a dog that can talk.

Kujo will be needing to tell you what a jackoff you are, when you force
a dog to run.

Date: 10 Dec 2006 21:03:13
From:
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

Forgot to mention my friend Suzi and her Bloodhounds. She'd do regular
10 milers with them, and they're big hulking lunks, too.

Date: 10 Dec 2006 20:53:34
From:
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

thehick wrote:

> all dogs love to run. i would research breeds which have been
> bred for running ability and friendliness.

I used to run 5 milers at an 8:00 pace with my .... Scotty! Only on
cool mornings, 'cause she had a thick coat. She died at age 19. (Rip
Scotia)

I've run longer (8 mile ish) runs in the mountains with two different
Pit Bulls, problem is that while they love to pull me uphill, they're
not as nimble on the downs on rocky terrain and slow me down. Maybe
their paws were sore, who knows, but on general principles, I phased
them out unless I was prepared to trot slowly downhill.

I knew an ultra runner who would run his 15-16lb mutt in all kinds of
terrain and which completed many long races with his master.

A fast Nike runner I used to know used to run 20 milers with his Red
Setter on cool days at 6:00 pace.

And I was passed at mile 21 in the infamous Wild Wild West marathon in
Lone pine in scorching temps by a happy Springer Spaniel, who was doing
"dog miles" (zig zagging and sniffing).

I always wanted to get a Standard Poodle (with short trim) for running,
but wife keeps rescuing non-designer dogs, so I may never get the
chance...

-- Dan

Date: 11 Dec 2006 05:42:58
From: Dot
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?

dstumpus@mindspring.com wrote:

> thehick wrote:
>
>
>
>>all dogs love to run. i would research breeds which have been
>>bred for running ability and friendliness.
>
...
>
> I knew an ultra runner who would run his 15-16lb mutt in all kinds of
> terrain and which completed many long races with his master.
>
> A fast Nike runner I used to know used to run 20 milers with his Red
> Setter on cool days at 6:00 pace.
>
> And I was passed at mile 21 in the infamous Wild Wild West marathon in
> Lone pine in scorching temps by a happy Springer Spaniel, who was doing
> "dog miles" (zig zagging and sniffing).

I think Scott Jurek used to train with a husky. There's an assortment of
breeds I've seen ultra runners use up here. One of the winter mt bikers
has an Irish setter that runs on his rides - maybe 40-100 miles or so.

>
> I always wanted to get a Standard Poodle (with short trim) for running,
> but wife keeps rescuing non-designer dogs, so I may never get the
> chance...

Doesn't Suzi Cope run ultras with her poodle? At one time there was a
guy who ran a team of poodles (perhaps mixed with other breeds) in the
Iditarod. Can't remember if they made it all the way or not, but a large
portion of it, for sure. The race has since been limited to "northern
breeds" or something like that. The poodle hair used to freeze in the
snow when they were resting, so they were not considered a good breed
because of this.

Dot

--
"If we reach all our goals, we are not setting them high enough."
- Matt Carpenter

Date: 11 Dec 2006 07:25:45
From: gym.gravity
Subject: Re: A question...Breed of dog best for runnining?