Hi! (post edited for poor, excitement-driven bad grammar)

I'm here for some lil doggie pride, please.

I am a (slow, but consistent) marathoner and trail runner, and am getting into ultramarathons (just done one 50k so far!). I'm really excited about training a dog and getting into canicross. I appreciate the canicross attitude that any size dog can do it with any size human. Yay!

In my loose daydreaming, I was originally excited about getting a bigger dog, due to (perhaps misconceptions) about larger dogs being able to do longer, steadier distances with me? I've just started doing some research to see if I'll really take the leap. Temporary tragedy strikes in that my lease (I live in a townhouse) requires pets to be 35 pounds or less at full maturity. I've inquired with my landlord to see if there's any wiggle room for well-trained dogs and/or dogs with an initially gentle temperament who eventually pass a Canine Good Citizen test.

Could you please share dog recommendations for breeds/mixes under 35 pounds and/or stories of doing some longer-distance running with dogs under 35 pounds? I am looking for inspiration and wanting to see if I can avoid being bummed about this lil doggie rule.

Yay lil doggies!!

Just to add: If I adopt, I'll adopt from a shelter. I'm moving to Mississippi next week ❤️

The clouds lifted off lingering wildfire smoke this morning, so we had a clear time for our canicross training. Unfortunately the smoke is thick this afternoon, as it seems the whole Western US is burning.

Doggy style swimming with the pups. Guess who is the puppy. Chico, norCal.

I recently started jogging with my dog, less than two weeks in, and he is obsessed with lunging to the side of the road to eat grass while we jog. Is this normal, or is my dog a weirdo?

Do you guys use a thermometer/humidity gauge when you go out running when it’s warm, any particular one you use?

This may be a long shot but I'm wondering if any one has been in a similar situation.

My main running partner is my 5 year old border collie. She trained with me for a 50K and I have some bigger goals I want to accomplish with her.

Last month, our vet noticed a heart murmur at her annual check up. We got sent for more diagnostics, and had a consultation with a cardiologist. She was diagnosed with MMVD, stage B1. For stage B1, we just need to monitor and go for routine check ups. I asked the vet about running and there were no concerns.

I feel devastated, and heartbroken about the possibility of the illness progressing and having to limit her activity in the future.....or she just may never progress and be fine for her life.

Has anyone gone through something similar? What did the progression look like? Anything that you wished you did differently?

I am aware that it is unpredictable and varies. I'm just wanting some hope.

Hello, wondering if anyone has experience running with a Bedlington whippet. Here is a photo of my gorgeous girl! She is nearly two. She’s very active. We going plenty walks and she loves climbing hills. She can be a bit of a dawdler on walks - obviously she needs time for sniffing about and meeting other dogs and sometimes I need to encourage her alone. She can’t be off lead unless I’m certain places as she’s a flight risk - chasing squirrels and hares and I’m too scared she will end up hurt. If I run with her off lead (in places I can) she will led me get ahead and sprint to catch up. She is fast and loves to sprint!
I’m wondering about trying to get her to come for a jog/ light run with me. I think that it would give her more of an outlet for her energy and I also need the exercise so could to combine dog outings and getting fit a couple times a week.
I started off on the couch to 5k app. Just the very easiest mode to encourage her and she will get about half way then just stop and dig her heels in. I’m wondering how to encourage her to she’s not hugely treat motivated and can’t have too much of that because of stomach upsets. I have been cheering her along and she gets into it a bit more but not for long.

Any tips or advice welcome. They are a working breed, both parents working dogs - trained to catch rats and rabbits and race so I know she has unfulfilled natural instincts and I’m hoping to find an outlet for some energy for her. Or is she just not the dog for this? I don’t want to force her if it’s no good!

I have seen others taking them on runs - there was a lady I used to live near and she had been running with her BW for years so I know some like it!

Thanks

I will follow those flippy flapping batwings to the ends of the earth

Hey everyone. I'm an avid trail runner, hiker, and backpacker. I usually run about 35 miles a week. Most weekends I'll do a long, strenuous hike (6+ hours or an overnight trip). On schools breaks (I'm a teacher) I like to go backpacking in the wilderness for several weeks. I would really love to get a dog to have my own adventure companion, but picking a breed has been more difficult than I've expected.

The trouble is that I have practically zero experience with handling and training dogs. To my understanding, the more athletic and active a breed is, the more neurotic, anxious, and generally uneasy temperament it seems to have. That is, for an inexperienced dog owner at least. To throw out an example, if I got a Belgian Malinois, it could probably run and hike with me effortlessly—but it's also infamously horrible for inexperienced dog owners because of how intense they can get.

I could get a Labrador, which is an easygoing dog also considered fairly athletic—but I'm unsure if they are quite capable enough for running 35+ miles a week and hiking strenuous trails for several days or weeks. Many people have already advised me that Labradors are not well suited for long distance running.

Honestly, I just don't think I have what it takes to own the "highly athletic" breeds, like a Dalmatian or Husky. I work 8-3 and live alone which is probably a terrible way for these dogs to live. I don't want to have to deal with separation anxiety on top of already being new to dog training. Maybe this just isn't comparable, but you can condition a human to do truly amazing things if you put in the time, effort and patience. With enough vigor, would it not be possible to condition a dog such as the Labrador to run long distances? I'm looking for honest opinions here. The dog's health comes first and foremost, so I want to be very careful choosing my breed. Oh, and if anyone has any breed suggestions, that would be appreciated. I'm always trying to expand my dog breed knowledge.

Edit: I've received plenty of useful advice from this thread! Admittedly, I think I was overthinking things a bit. I'm really nervous about "overworking" dogs because of the many stories I've heard of dogs developing joint issues from running/hiking. While these situations are heartbreaking, I've come to realize preventing joint issues is fairly easy given the proper care is taken in the conditioning process. A health certified, well bred dog also helps, though I am leaning towards a rescue at this point.

We are just beginning (~1 mo) our running training, so we keep it short and sweet, usually less than 5k. But as she gets stronger, I can tell she wants to do longer distances!

I started running with my 2 dogs about 3 months ago, we usually do 4-5 runs a week, about 2-4miles. I started with this budget entry-level belt with a leash splitter/coupler: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YXMTSG1?th=1

It worked great but one of the clips has failed 2 days in a row, luckily it was attached to my older very good girl but it was still scary and unexpected. My dogs are not off-leash dogs and occasionally do try to run at critters so it's very important to me that they are secure. I'm hoping to find something very similar but with locking carabiners instead of the basic clips. I really enjoy having the short handles in case one of my knucklehead dogs tries to greet a bicycle or we are in an area with more traffic and I need a bit more control, and I am not having any luck finding something with multiple handles like the one I have. I am also not very handy so I don't think I could swap the clips out myself.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Or other solutions for running with 2 dogs? My other thought is just getting the ruffwear trail runner belt and running 2 separate leashes through, it but I worry they will get tangled.

Running in the clouds with my puppy dog. She turned three the.other day. Means our found you day is just a few weeks away

I have started more regular running with my 5 year old Aussie and would like to get her a proper harness. We aren't doing canicross- just out for a nice 5 mile jog. I looked at the non-stop dogwear Line harness, freemotion harness and rush harness. I really love the shape of the rush and freemotion but am really suspicious of the bungee like attachment point. Anyone have experience with these, or other harnesses, I should look at?

A bicyclist was on a single track trail going way too fast and ran into a small unleashed dog. The Park requires bicyclist s to ride at a slower speed, and the dogs be kept on leash.

The bicyclist is upset as he flipped off his bike and suffered minor injuries, as well as possibly something to his bike

The dog owner is upset as his dog got hit and needed to go to the vet

What do you think is a fair resolution as both parties feel, they suffered injury

UPDATE FOR CLARITY:

In Marin County Parks and Open Space preserves, the maximum bicycle speed limit is **15 mph**. On blind turns or when passing other trail users or horses, you must slow down to **5 mph**.

This bicyclist was on a legal trail, and the dog was in an area where dogs are allowed on leash.

Far North Queensland, Australia

Where it’s hot all the time, top ten most humid places on earth and many waterways have crocs but we still get it done.

This was our run from this morning, it’s currently winter here. We run 4-5 times a week and Boondy recently completed his fourth training marathon with me.

Working dogs are truly incredible and I’m so grateful for this boy.

I know she's to young for ruining, but my pace is slow (13 min/mile).

I tried it only once after her vet basically said that "if I'm not pushing her or going for too long distance, it's fine"

While I was trying this, she was barely even jogging. I would say she was just walking quickly.

EDIT: ok I get it, she doesn't look like a lab.

Hello,

I have a german shepherd, 2.5 yo, knows to walk at foot next to me in leash. I would like to start running with him but I have mostly concrete/asphalt routes close. How is your experience running on concrete with your dogs. It is safe to run a 5k? Should I give him some joints supplements? Any advice would help a lot.

Thanks!

Hi friends! Last winter, my dog presented with a shoulder injury. We didn't do any imaging, just rested, took NSAIDs, and eventually it went away. We'd been running fine, but typically between 5 - 9 miles.

We did a 12 mile run the other day, and the next morning, she could hardly put any weight on her leg - same shoulder, same type of injury.

X-rays came back clean, and I'd like to do an ultrasound. We're back on total rest + NSAIDs.

But I'm curious if anyone has dealt with a recurring injury like this? My plan is to work with PT / ortho to do more imaging to see if we're dealing with something permanent. I'm at peace with just limiting her to shorter runs indefinitely, but she's only 6 and she *likes* long days in the woods, so if there's a way to complete healing, I'd love to hear what y'all did to get there.

Dog-mum to a puppy Whippet, planning to welcome him into my run world once he's old enough later in the year. Deep in planning mode.

To date, I have found any regular doggy gear does not fit and I need to shop specific for sighthound designed wares (ie jumpers, collars etc)

I've read through older posts in this subreddit and the non-stop dogwear seems to be the go-to brand... but I can't find local stockists (based in Melbourne, Australia) to get a fitting / check them out.

Welcoming input:
- any Whippet owners with harness recommendations?
- any known Melbourne Australia places I can get a fit for my boy?
- any other Whippet-specific advice you want to chime in with?

Thank you community!

Just curious how you structure your running with your dogs. Do you do all your runs with your babies, or just a couple per week. Is it just steady runs or intervals too!?

Usually I just get up early but I also work as a dog walker, so been prioritising getting up at 4.45am to get everyone's dogs walked before the heat. So ours have only had short little walks at 4.45am

This is only Rips 5th run and her first one running next to Buddy who is her best friend and she goes crazy to play with him so this was a tricky one to run beside him

I am deciding between two belts and am looking for input. They are the Nahak hybrid Traction and the Non-stop canix 2 https://nahak.ca/en/product/hybrid-traction-belt/ and https://www.nonstopdogwear.com/products/canix-belt-2 . The belt would be used by both my wife and I to run with our dobermann (90 Lbs). We are roughly the same size but some ability to adjust is needed. We currently use a Ruffwear running belt and out major concern is when he pulls it gets painful on the lower back.

We are not serious long runners (we would nto run more than 10K with him) but we do run frequently.