Brittany Spaniel Running Age

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In general, dogs should not run long distances before the age of 8-12 months (depending on the breed). A Brittany Spaniel should be able to run moderately long distances with you (5-8 milesm, dependent on the individual dog), but just like a person, the progression should be gradual.

We had a Brittany for 12 years, and he was the greatest dog that I have ever had. I started running after we had him for several years, so I don't know when you can start. He held up fine for 5-7 miles, but I never tried to take him longer.

Be sure that you start off gradually. They need to build upd the pads on their paws. Our Brittany would wear them raw, but still want to go for the next run.

The point about pads is good, and beyond that the biggest concern is overheating. Your dog should run beside or slightly in front of you, and if she starts drifting back behind then it's time to stop. If your getting a drink, doggy should get one too.

If you live in a cold climate you might consider a dog coat for sub 10 degree days. My short haired dog, who does 20 milers with me, needs a coat on as it gets down towards 20 degrees.

Dang! 20 milers with you? What breed is he? that's an awesome dog.

I've had 4 Brittanys. Congrats on picking the absolute best all-around breed of dog out there.

A year and half, depending on the dog's physical condition when you actually get her, is old enough to start running. I qualify that statement because adopted dogs can have a lot of problems that will preclude them from ever doing distance, so get her checked by a vet.

If she's cleared to go, 10-12 miles a day is not a problem at all. I hunt my dogs aggressively, and track them with a GPS collar, and they routinely do that kind of distance, although I make sure to water them often and never run them that much if its over 60 degrees or so. When I actually run with the dogs, I've never gone much more than 4-5 miles because I don't think its particularly good for them, especially on hard surfaces.

Use common sense, and if the dog looks like she's struggling STOP. Most of the time dogs don't survive heat stroke, and you really don't want to watch a dog die from it. If it does get heat stroke, you need to keep water flowing over her and get her to a vet ASAP. Dunking a dog in water can actually make things worse since it mats the coat down and traps heat.

BTW That 10-12 mile figure is not all at one time, there are a lot of breaks.

she is a 47 pound vizsla, and she's a machine as long as it's not too hot.

Weimarainers, german shorthaired pointers, and Rhodesian ridgebacks could all run with any human, even Geb, but if you want something smaller to go long and fast a vizsla is made for it.

I think a Brittany could do 10, and a border collie surely could, but long hair will be an issue on warm days (shave them I guess), and I'm not sure what kind of pace they can handle.

Watch out though, if you get a dog in that kind of shape and expect it to behave on days off.

Also - obviously a husky can cover distances and pace, but I mentioned all shorthaired dogs since overheating is the biggest watchout in having a 4 legged running partner.

Agree with above Brittany owners. As a kid, mine had energy to burn on my short runs, and would actually hang quite nicely on much faster 3-4 mile bike rides downtown and to school. He could really run, and if you want a treat, take him in the woods. Like above, in the summer, overheating was a major concern, and you don't know it until they are done, panting like crazy for an hour. I had to remind myself to not overdo it, because they will just keep up. I never had problem with pads, because he was always on side of road in dirt or darting in and out of woods. My biggie was his nails which got crazy long and he hated having them clipped, so I was concerned with having him rip one off or someting. P.S., when I was married I had a Short-Haired Pointer, which has got to be the best running dog ever, but she was absolutley insane, too much. Beautiful dogs, 20 miles is nothing, they are still trotting at 6min pace, but too much energy for most situations. I see people with them in Manhattan, don't know how they do it.

Easy to tell wrote:

Watch out though, if you get a dog in that kind of shape and expect it to behave on days off.

Yea, this is a good point. If you keep a dog like that in the house and don't get it out enough, it won't take more than a day or two for it to go crazy. Once you get it all jacked up you need to keep burning energy.

As a dog enthusiast, I would just like to second a couple of points people have been making:

1)8-12 months is a good age for a sporting dog to begin running "long" distance. Before then they are growing too fast and long runs may cause joint problems later on.

2) Before that time range, take your dogs on walks and maybe practicing jogging a mile or so with it. Dogs love to run and to keep it cooped up until it's a year old is not good for the dog.

3) Gradual training, just like a human, is the best way to go. Don't expect your dog to go on a ten miler right off the bat. Having said that, I've ran 15 miles with dogs who were off leash (meaning they were running about twice the distance as I was as they were exploring everything). The point being is that a lot of dogs, especially smaller hunting type dogs, are excellent runners and they absolutely love it.

4) Be very careful of heat. Heat exhaustion with a dog is a real concern. You'll be amazed how well a long-haired dog can run in the cold compared to the heat.

5) Be careful of bloat. A lot of sporting dogs are considered to be "deep chested" and feeding and gulping a lot of water, especially with older dogs, after exercise is something you need to try and prevent. As a general rule of thumb, don't feed your dog for two hours before exercising and wait at least an hour after exercising before feeding.

6) Make sure your dog is current on all shots. This is especially a concern with puppies. When you go to a park or even for a jog around the neighborhood, you have no idea if dogs that have been in the area are current on their shots. Some air-born virus, such as parvo, can be deadly.

7) Learn to walk and run with your dog comfortably on a leash. YOU need to be in control during the run because chances are you'll bump into other dogs along your route. The worst thing is to be completely helpless if confronted by another dog. Also, you don't want the dog to be dragging your around on your run; that just sucks. This will take a lot of practice and it's best to start training right away. Sporting dogs, especially those bred specifically to hunt (as opposed to show dogs), have a natural tendency to be out in front of you working, so this is something you'll have to work with.

Good luck and enjoy it!

I think the thread has played out with plenty of good information, but one other tip -

As long as your dog is steady and straight, get a leash with a clip on it and snap it around your waist. You'll like not having to hold it, and your dog will like not having it constantly swinging. (it should not be in tension)

I wouldn't do this with a dogzilla or a hunter who dives after every squirrel, but for my dog and I it works great.