Best/fittest dog for running partner?

I used to have a half German Shepard half wolf. And I would routinely take her on tempos of 8-10 miles @5:20-30 pace. She always had more energy than me and had no problems on em. Because wolves usually cover serious ground in the wild (i.e. 50-150 miles a day). The drawbacks were that she was always super freaking hyper and way to smart for her own good (I was putting on a new roof and low and behold found out she could climb ladders)

So beware if you get a similar dog you will need the resources to give it everything it needs, so a big yard and plenty of stimulation as well as a significant portion of your day, but in the end you get the perfect training partner:)

How fast are you on those runs?

Climate and weather are the major limiting factors. Dogs overheat easily. In real winter weather, huskies and other sled dogs will outrun you easily. In 90-degree heat, no dog will be able to run with you for very long.

Short haired hunting dogs like Vizslas, Ridgebacks, and German Shorthaired Pointers are all excellent running dogs. They can easily do a two hour run in moderate temperatures. When it gets really hot, though, don't take them for your long runs.

Totally agree it depends on where you live. I would never take her on a run when it was over 50 outside

Ridgebacks, from what I hear are some of the best running partners

I have a border collie lab mix and she can easily run sub 7's for 3-5 miles.

1) German Shorthaired Pointer

2) Rhodesian Ridgeback

3) Weimaraner

4) Vizsla

5) Border Collie

I am on my second vizsla...first one lived to age 17...he ran pretty much every day till about age 12...my current vizsla is a smaller female and she is just over 1 year old and a great running dog...I no longer run 2:00 very often but have taken her on many1:20-1:30 runs and she has plenty left in the tank...unlike I ;)

I cannot recommend the breed strongly enough...smart, trainable and great with other dogs and people.

Best

MF

Get a Husky and shave it in the summer.

Hands down - Ridgeback. You can't wear one out. I used to go for 10-12 milers and then had him run beside the car on the way home b/c he was not tired.

Australian shepherds are another breed to consider. I am on my second one and routinely take her for 30-40mi runs as long as it isn't too warm. While border collies are no doubt capable of running long distances, this is a high energy breed that generally isn't going to do well as a household pet. But whatever breed you get I would make sure you get one from working lineages, not show lineages, if you plan to do a lot of running with it.

Plott Hounds. Heide was the best training partner I've ever had. Tempo runs at 535 and 14 milers at sub 7 were nothing for her.

She would pass out under the wood stove for an hour and then start crying to be let back outside.

A great inside the house dog, but hard to control tracking instincts when outside.

joshua. wrote:

i would like a breed that i can take with me even for my long 2+ hrs runs

Has anyone some experience to share?

I was going to say approximately what the first responder said. There are plenty of varieties in the dog species that can meet your running demands. But the same package is not a tidy, low maintenance house dog. For example, those little dogs that women like to have are great house dogs. They don't require much work or responsibility. Depends of course on what your living situation and occupation is. I'd imagine dogs capable of great endurance running don't like to be kept around the house doing nothing and need to be out in nature, either free roaming or herding animals. Sometin like that. Approximately.

When I was in college I wanted a beagle. I asked the beagle breeder if they were good at running. He said, "heck ya, they'll run all day".

It's true, they will, but not on a leash, and not next to their owner.

So don't get a beagle.

P.S. Beagles are great dogs, though. Get one for around the house.

I like to run with my cat.

Many kinds of dogs are great running partners, and many have been listed. I had a border collie/husky mix for 15 years that . My buddy is a Belgian (Tervuren - same as Malinois except hair length and is working line). Only recommended if you know you want a high energy dog and are willing to do at least a minimal of training. They LOVE tug, so that's the training treat for my dog.They are among the most trainable dogs and super sweet and affectionate. Here's how athletic they can be:

https://youtu.be/qre7e9z055M

I am a cat wrote:

I like to run with my cat.

Some people actually do that, watch this video:

joshua. wrote:

i would like a breed that i can take with me even for my long 2+ hrs runs

Has anyone some experience to share?

Shorthairs or pointers. Shorthair would probably be the most robust dog that's easy to find, they just don't break. Most any pointing breed or herding breed will work though.

But beware, running even 10 miles doesn't tire these guys out. They still need to be worked mentally most days. 5 miles and 15 minutes of exercise is better than 3 hours of mindless jogging.

thanks guy, my long runs pace is 5:50 - 6:10 pace, but i live in Phoenix, summer heat can be brutal

how do they handle intense heat?

Get a Pomeranian.