Please share your dog running expertise!

Dogs chase me when I’m running. Seriously people, leashes were invented for a reason!

I would say any dog could handle it just as long as it's not one of those smooshed-face breeds like a bulldog or affenpinscher or something. Dogs were meant to run. Maybe some variation of a hunting breed or a terrier.

Tip: wear a belt with the leash loop attached to it. That way you can run normally, hands free, with the dog pulling at your center of gravity, not yanking you off balance. Probably won't matter with a 20 lb. animal but I'm always seeing people holding their leashes and being dragged along miserably by their retrievers. I had two weimaraners and had no trouble controlling them with this method - you just lean back a little when they pull.

Poor little guy... probably kept up for a mile or so.

Australian cattle dog (blue heeler). Fearless and tireless. Mine’s a very lean, compact 38 lbs. I do 70mpw, off leash trails. She does about 200mpw in the process. If you run where leashes are required, though - that’s a different story. Dogs aren’t really built for sustained distance running, but rather sprints with breaks in between.

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Jack Russell Terriers have boundless energy (and are huge pains if they don't get exercise). Beagles can run, shetland sheepdogs (they are tiny collies), mini Australian Shepherds, fox terriers, poodles, min pins, Norwegian lundehund, schipperke, Alaskan Klee Kai (basically a tiny husky).

Just remember when running with little dogs, they have tiny legs. A lot of them may max out at 5k; some, like JRTs can run 10ks. But you have to build them up slowly!

I wouldn't recommend running with any dog for 50mpw. That's quite a lot of mileage even for the best running breeds. I would recommend a max of 25 mpw and build mileage slowly after they have fully grown (in frame).

I would recommend reconsidering your focus on weight. I can't think of one sub 20 lb dog that's a great distance runner. Might want to consider in the 30-60 on range. There are a whole lot of breeds there that would be well suited with properly ramp up to accompany you every other day or so

I'll vote for border terrier.

I have run easily 10 mile runs with her and she absolutely loves running (or any other outdoor activity). I think most oft them are really robust dogs (and also very nice, but not so easy to handle! Do you have experience with dogs?) and could do 50 mpw if built up to.

The only think which they struggle with, especially when running, is heat - like many dogs, but I'm sure there are breeds, which are more resistent to heat. So when it gets very hot where you live, I would look for a heat resistent breed.

I agree that you need a dog in the 30-35 pound range to do the 50 mpw. I suggest a poodle cross. I have an aussie shepherd / standard poodle cross who loves to run. She doesn't shed and you can trim her fur really short in the summer when the weather gets warm.

Not a small dog but I have a 92 lb German Shepherd and he does 2-4 mile bouts with me during warmup (before a workout) or recovery jog. He has run as much as 6 miles at 8:30 pace. Like others have said here, heat is his biggest challenge.

I’ve run with a Parson Russell Terrier for over five years, and this 18-pound dog with longer legs than a JRT does not stop. 50 miles a week is no problem for this dog.

Consider the climate where you live. Many breeds will struggle at temps above 60F. Almost any breed will start having serious overheating issues above 75F.

needadog wrote:

What are some good small breeds that can run up to 50 mi / week?

Are there any 15 lb breeds that could do it? Or 20?

In case it matters the running wouldn't be super fast -- mostly 8 min/mi.

I hike a couple miles with my pups daily. pit mix and a boxer. both are athletic and love chasing each other on the trails. they handle the cold here in the northeast very well, but i am much more cautious esp with our boxer as it gets warmer out. we ran a 5k with our pit 3 years ago, def wouldn't run again with her in july, but she held up well and loved it!i bring some pb and water with me on our hikes, they're beasts up the steep trails. i'd like to believe they enjoy that outlet like the rest of us.

Where do you live? Who do you live with? Are you in a house or an apartment? How about the yard? Do you work or go to school or both? How much time do you spend at home or free if you are not working or at school? Why are you specifically looking for a small dog? Have you ever had a dog before?

There a number of dogs out there that are small in size yet able to cover decent mileage without issue. It's impossible to say which is right for you until you answer these other questions.

Thanks for your all your input.

We are in Georgia so I see now heat is an issue. Should dogs just not run when it's above a certain temperature?

We live in a house with a yard. It's my high school kid that wants a dog to run with.

We parents are often at home during the day, irregularly, but don't necessarily want to be playing with a dog.

I'd appreciate any suggestions you might have or opinions if this set up seems unworkable.

An Australian Heeler....They used to follow us on long, hot horse back rides with no problem....

I have been running 30-50 mpw with a border collie/husky/bird dog mix for about 5 years. She has a lot of “work drive” and that’s what makes her such a good running buddy. It also makes her herd the cat if she doesn’t get her run in. She only weighs about 33 lbs and is pretty short. In ideal weather (30s or 40s) she can go sub-7-minute-miles for 13 miles and has done easy runs of over 20 miles in cool weather.

If it’s over 70°, she needs water every half hour, has to run slower, and shouldn’t run more than an hour. If it’s over 80° and sunny she can’t do anything but easy trail runs (that eventually become hikes) because the hot pavement would hurt her paws.

I recommend finding a mixed breed shelter/rescue dog that works best for you.

Why torture a dog?