What dog for running?
Discussion
I lost my 7 year old collie a few weeks ago suddenly due to lymphoma. I m totally lost without him and have lost all enthusiasm to run (I am a pretty serious ultra runner).
Because of this, I think I will get another dog early next year, probably a puppy.
The longest run I did with Alf was 30 miles, but could do more if the dog is up for it. I’ve seen a 100km one called the Peak District challenge that you can bring your dogs along and they get a medal, I was going to take him on it this coming summer after a bit more training, but nothing works how we plan.
Am I best just getting another collie, or are there other medium sized dogs that would be better suited?
I work from home and we have a small holding so exercise isn t really an issue.
Because of this, I think I will get another dog early next year, probably a puppy.
The longest run I did with Alf was 30 miles, but could do more if the dog is up for it. I’ve seen a 100km one called the Peak District challenge that you can bring your dogs along and they get a medal, I was going to take him on it this coming summer after a bit more training, but nothing works how we plan.
Am I best just getting another collie, or are there other medium sized dogs that would be better suited?
I work from home and we have a small holding so exercise isn t really an issue.
Edited by james6546 on Thursday 6th November 07:49
james6546 said:
I lost my 7 year old collie a few weeks ago suddenly due to lymphoma. I m totally lost without him and have lost all enthusiasm to run (I am a pretty serious ultra runner).
Because of this, I think I will get another dog early next year, probably a puppy.
The longest run I did with Alf was 30 miles, but could do more if the dog is up for it. I ve seen a 100km one called the Peak District challenge that you can bring your dogs along and they get a medal, I was going to take him on it this coming summer after a bit more training, but nothing works how we plan.
Am I best just getting another collie, or are there other medium sized dogs that would be better suited?
I work from home and we have a small holding so exercise isn t really an issue.
Sorry to hear about your loss; that's tough Because of this, I think I will get another dog early next year, probably a puppy.
The longest run I did with Alf was 30 miles, but could do more if the dog is up for it. I ve seen a 100km one called the Peak District challenge that you can bring your dogs along and they get a medal, I was going to take him on it this coming summer after a bit more training, but nothing works how we plan.
Am I best just getting another collie, or are there other medium sized dogs that would be better suited?
I work from home and we have a small holding so exercise isn t really an issue.
Edited by james6546 on Thursday 6th November 07:49
Maybe also consider an older dog that you could start running with sooner? You need to watch how much exercise puppies get to avoid joint damage.
A Trailhound might be just right for you:
https://www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/
Beautiful dogs; probably a bit larger than a collie. There is at least one on here (Sam) who was adopted from Dogs Trust.
moorx said:
james6546 said:
I lost my 7 year old collie a few weeks ago suddenly due to lymphoma. I m totally lost without him and have lost all enthusiasm to run (I am a pretty serious ultra runner).
Because of this, I think I will get another dog early next year, probably a puppy.
The longest run I did with Alf was 30 miles, but could do more if the dog is up for it. I ve seen a 100km one called the Peak District challenge that you can bring your dogs along and they get a medal, I was going to take him on it this coming summer after a bit more training, but nothing works how we plan.
Am I best just getting another collie, or are there other medium sized dogs that would be better suited?
I work from home and we have a small holding so exercise isn t really an issue.
Sorry to hear about your loss; that's tough Because of this, I think I will get another dog early next year, probably a puppy.
The longest run I did with Alf was 30 miles, but could do more if the dog is up for it. I ve seen a 100km one called the Peak District challenge that you can bring your dogs along and they get a medal, I was going to take him on it this coming summer after a bit more training, but nothing works how we plan.
Am I best just getting another collie, or are there other medium sized dogs that would be better suited?
I work from home and we have a small holding so exercise isn t really an issue.
Edited by james6546 on Thursday 6th November 07:49
Maybe also consider an older dog that you could start running with sooner? You need to watch how much exercise puppies get to avoid joint damage.
A Trailhound might be just right for you:
https://www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/
Beautiful dogs; probably a bit larger than a collie. There is at least one on here (Sam) who was adopted from Dogs Trust.
Doesn't have to be a pure breed either.
We have a Romanian rescue who came to use at around 1 yo, details are unknown as he was found straying on the streets, but clearly reasonably well socialised and apparently used to hand out by the local school for a fuss.
He looks quite a bit like a Duck Tolling Retriever, but is larger than usual for the breed, more mid size Labrador sort of size, fluffy golden and around 34kg.
A cross bread/mongrel looses a lot of any one breeds issues, and while he isn't fit enough currently, I am sure he could do 30-50miles if he built up to it.
My brother in law has a Kelpi, which is another option.
We have a Romanian rescue who came to use at around 1 yo, details are unknown as he was found straying on the streets, but clearly reasonably well socialised and apparently used to hand out by the local school for a fuss.
He looks quite a bit like a Duck Tolling Retriever, but is larger than usual for the breed, more mid size Labrador sort of size, fluffy golden and around 34kg.
A cross bread/mongrel looses a lot of any one breeds issues, and while he isn't fit enough currently, I am sure he could do 30-50miles if he built up to it.
My brother in law has a Kelpi, which is another option.
48k said:
I love collies (currently have 3) super dogs but there are two types of collie and if you luck out and end up with a nutty type it will make your run very unenjoyable if not impossible.
We have had 2 collies now, the longer haired one is still going at 14.We have had both types you suggest, the older one is a house dog and doesn’t even want to go outside some days. Alf was the other type! We trained him as a sheep dog for the alpacas but unfortunately it turns out you can’t herd alpacas and they just try to stomp on the dog…
On lead Alf was perfect, but if you let him off he would spend the entirety of the run making eye contact with you and jumping sideways, or running in circles around you (even after 20 miles)! I did a run last night and it’s just rubbish without him.
james6546 said:
My wife would love a ridgeback or vizla.
I m strangely not a massive lab fan, not sure what it is about them.
Ridgebacks are great but probably too big to run all day. They're certainly energetic but tend to be a burst of energy then a rest (they sleep more than cats) before another burst ... probably due to their size. They're amazing dogs and do like being active but also like doing nothing I m strangely not a massive lab fan, not sure what it is about them.
I would say more Vizla size and althetisism for running ... and that comes from a border collie owner. As we've understood from our current collie, our last collie was a Unicorn .. this one is very much work in progress ... he chases everything that moves and is literally on edge, although our current training is really helping us understand why he's like this.
It does sound like you need another dog .... just don't rush into it like we did following the loss of our last collie.
Working line German shepherd, Belgian shepherd or malinois are some other options. Also great for protecting your small holding. The mal would be harder work than the other 2.
My gsd is a similar size & energy level to your collie. I don’t run but I do bike with her a lot, she loves it. Gsd’s are true companion dogs & want to be involved in everything you do.
My gsd is a similar size & energy level to your collie. I don’t run but I do bike with her a lot, she loves it. Gsd’s are true companion dogs & want to be involved in everything you do.
Another vote for a Vizsla (they have boundless energy and thrive on it), although they can be quite high maintenance and aren't called velcro Vizslas for nothing!
Our Vizsla hasn't quite worked out the running thing and thinks it's a game in which he has to take me down.
Gratuitous shot of ours in full on hunting mode having spotted a rabbit...
Our Vizsla hasn't quite worked out the running thing and thinks it's a game in which he has to take me down.
Gratuitous shot of ours in full on hunting mode having spotted a rabbit...
james6546 said:
isaldiri said:
OP - RBWill here used to do exactly that I believe - his dog was a belgian shepherd (tervuren). Hopefully he sees this and adds something for you.
Another dog I ve not heard of! I m passing all the suggestions onto my wife Yeah spent years running and racing with my old girl. The other PHer that comes to mind their name escapes me but they run with a wolf dog up in the Lakes?
Some good suggestions so far. Id say for what you want you need something mid size, probably a herder or some sort so the Belgian shepherds, working collies etc are a good shout.
It could work out but I'd personally avoid going for purpose built running dogs like Eurohounds , trail hounds, Greysters as these are made to do canicross as a sport which means run really fast and pull as hard as you can for 5kish. They have the desire to pull and try hard and don't know how well that would go over 50k.
Things like Vizlas and Malinois, pointers, Weimaraner may also fall into this category depending on temperament.
You could stick to what you know and like. Collies are perfectly capable, built to run about hillsides all day and they don't tend to pull to hard and knacker themselves. This is what my Belgian was like too, happy to be there running with you for hours but not dragging your arse for nothing
My 5k and 10k pb with and without her help were only a few seconds apart where friends of mine with dogs like those above would be taking 3-5 minutes off their times with the dog pulling. Their dogs would be buggered and having to stop for a breather and drink every few miles on our longer runs and couldnt do anything for half the year as they get too hot. Mine would shrug off 15+ milers like they were nothing and she definitely would have gone twice as far if my legs would have. A few friends of mine have run numerous ultras, particularly remember Green Man which I think is about 45 miles with their Collies. Husky would also be a decent shout.
Smaller dogs can be surprisingly ok for distance too.
As someone else said, if you do get a puppy dont be looking to do an ultra next summer. It is too soon for young dog. Normally wouldnt advise much over 5-10k until they are 1.5-2, the bigger the dog the longer you should wait.
Presumably you will be running as a canicross pair so both in harness and lines. Dont skimp on cheap equipment from local pet shop or use common harnesses like Julius K9, which are quite restrictive on the dog's movement around the shoulders and will do harm on a long run. Try somewhere like K9 Trailtime for kit.
Whatever options you go for it is great for you and the dog, there are plenty of local clubs too if you want to be social on runs, just google canicross groups on Facebook etc.
Apologies for photodump, we had to say goodbye to her 5 months ago, we were still doing small runs right up to the day she went at just over 15, she loved it.
Training run with mates with collies
After her first 5k race win
About 10 mins after winning a 15mile cross country, looks like she hasnt even been anywhere
I was half dead.Thank you for this. What a beautiful dog, I didn t realise how hard losing a dog is until Alf died, they really are family members aren t they?
I did manage a 13 mile run on my own last week, but I had to take music to get me through it. I didn t normally bother when I had Alf as I was extra cautious about cars coming and being able to hear them. Plus runs were just more fun with him.
I could just get another collie to be fair, I m just worried a replacement wouldn t hold up to Alf.
In terms of harnesses I started off with one but he loved running so much he was always on his best behaviour and rarely pulled, so we eventually went to a collar so he wasn t as warm in summer. I ll do the same with his replacement, we have a nice harness that I ll start with and see how it goes. I was quite careful with building him up over a couple of years as my older collie has hip displacia and I was worried that it was my doing by not limiting him enough when he was growing.
I think we will have a look what s available as a rescue, but I m still slightly swaying towards a puppy as I ve got a 3 year old (human) so need to be a bit cautious, plus I think it s a lovely thing to grow up with a puppy.
Oh, and no I don’t compete with dogs, I just run with them. I’m not against it, but that isn’t why I used to run with Alf, it was just nice being out in the Peak District with my best friend.
I did manage a 13 mile run on my own last week, but I had to take music to get me through it. I didn t normally bother when I had Alf as I was extra cautious about cars coming and being able to hear them. Plus runs were just more fun with him.
I could just get another collie to be fair, I m just worried a replacement wouldn t hold up to Alf.
In terms of harnesses I started off with one but he loved running so much he was always on his best behaviour and rarely pulled, so we eventually went to a collar so he wasn t as warm in summer. I ll do the same with his replacement, we have a nice harness that I ll start with and see how it goes. I was quite careful with building him up over a couple of years as my older collie has hip displacia and I was worried that it was my doing by not limiting him enough when he was growing.
I think we will have a look what s available as a rescue, but I m still slightly swaying towards a puppy as I ve got a 3 year old (human) so need to be a bit cautious, plus I think it s a lovely thing to grow up with a puppy.
Oh, and no I don’t compete with dogs, I just run with them. I’m not against it, but that isn’t why I used to run with Alf, it was just nice being out in the Peak District with my best friend.
james6546 said:
My wife would love a ridgeback or vizla.
A Ridgeback or Vizsla would be a very good choice in my opinion.I'm on my 3rd Ridgeback and they really are terrific dogs.
I currently have a Ridgeback b
h and she's brilliant running partner. The most that she's done, is a 15 mile run in about 3 1/4 hours . . . but almost all off-road and with about 2,000ft of ascent, though I'm sure that she'd be capable of much more. Whilst she is a tall dog, that does provide advantages - other dogs give her/us a wide berth and she can easily jump stiles; additionally, I (& my wife) feel 'protected' when she is with us.Our dog has a best friend, which is a male Vizsla - he too, is a really terrific dog and I've told his owner, that if they ever need to find him another home, we'd have him. We've looked after him a few times and it is evident that whilst similar in appearance, they are entirely different in character.
The Vizsla is a much more 'outgoing' dog - more 'full-on', both inside and out of the house - a 'fun' dog to have around. By comparison, our Ridgeback is much more reserved (aloof) and laidback - especially with people & dogs that she doesn't know. The Vizsla is very 'happy-go-lucky', the Ridgeback is much more considered in what she does. The Vizsla is a velcro dog and doesn't like to be left on his own; the Ridgeback can happily be left for a few hours.
Both would make an ideal running companion (IMO); I've been out with our Ridgeback and the Vizsla and they are very closely matched in terms of speed and stamina. The Vizsla is much more playful, bouncy and agile; the Ridgeback is more deliberate in her actions and when she does 'take off' and get up to full speed, it's all the Vizsla can do, to keep up with her.
Both are quite tall dogs, with a short coat - when I get home after a run, minimal (if any) cleaning is required; ours never seems to get mud on her underside. Both are excellent at alerting us to possible visitors to the house.
The image below, is of our Ridgeback (L) with her Vizsla pal; whilst she is bigger, she's not much bigger.
I think that either would be an excellent choice; it's really down to what kind of dog you (& your wife) would like - the playful Vizsla or the more reserved Ridgeback.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff