So Phil Sesemann's Viszla-Spaniel cross trained him up for a a sub 2:13 at London. If you were going to get a dog as a running companion, what would you go for? Anyone had experience of this? What sort of mileage is a dog comfortable with?
I have a Jack Russell Terrier who was a great running partner for many years. I'd regularly take him on 10 mile runs with no issues, up to maybe 25-30 miles a week. He's too old to run much now (14) but lots of great memories!
My pug, Charlie, runs comfortable 50 miles per week with me. I'd recommend a pug to anyone looking for the ultimate running partner.
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Sled dogs like Vorsteher have VO2 max above 200 so they outrun us easily. I had a dalmatian, my brother had the former, a sled dog Vorsteher that had litterally no limits. My dalmation loved to run, but he had sensible limits.
I think a smaller dog might be better getting a kindof handicap compared to us, but even small dogs can run a loong way. A calm large dog is neither a problem at all.
I know you asked for dog recommendations. But ferrets are another choice that are underrated for running partners. Capable of speeds up to 20mph over 20 miles...
If you want a decent training partner that isn't going to be a pyscho if you don't happen to run every day with them... a boxer is great. My boxer is a stud on trails (10-15 miles) and my PT has a boxer he mountain bikes with. He won't go long on roads (happy with 5-7 milers) because of pace/boredom. Three season dog though. Doesn't handle summer running well.
bencrush wrote:
I know you asked for dog recommendations. But ferrets are another choice that are underrated for running partners. Capable of speeds up to 20mph over 20 miles...
I would go with a millipede. One millipede should be faster than 500 men.
Very few dog breeds are ok with running often and/or long distances. Most dogs are not built for that and it hurts them. Chinooks, Greenland dogs, Canadian Eskimo dogs, Malamutes and Huskies are great but they don’t deal with heat at all.
Irish wolfhounds might be ok with longer distances.
So Phil Sesemann's Viszla-Spaniel cross trained him up for a a sub 2:13 at London. If you were going to get a dog as a running companion, what would you go for? Anyone had experience of this? What sort of mileage is a dog comfortable with?[/quote]
The above is a pretty good choice… the best would be border collie (I have a buddy who takes his in 20+ mile mtb rides and the do runs back and forth for prob about 10 miles) they are very trainable to the right person and will happily run many more mile per week than you can. Other herding dog mixes would all be be good. Border terries for smaller dogs are also good. I would same most mid sized mutts from the pound/shelter/rescue will be able to run as much as you would want. Mixes tend to be healthier but may not be as trainable. Actually mixed sled dogs are also good not really huskies or malamutes as most true sled dogs mutts.
Other option is train a bird to fly next to you… much more reasonable than the ferret nonsense someone wrote about.
What kind of dog did Greg kill?
That's my choice for best training partner.
I've had a few Dalmatians that crush(ed) it. My latest one ran 30-40 miles a week from age 1-5with me, he needed it. They were bred for 100's of years to run next to carriages to support horses. Great breed if you can get them their miles, they have a ton of energy. which is why in the 90's after the movie, they were filling up shelters, they have a ton of energy. VERY loyal and runs off leash right next to me. Great with kids. Shed's like crazy though.
Also have a hound dog that is very fit and can run all day, but not trustworthy off leash. He catches a scent and he's gone, even at 7 years old. Good leash runner though. Trainer said their brain is really their nose.
We have a vizsla and she's great for training. I've started her at 6 months old (even though they say to wait until they are 1 because it will damage their bones) but we mostly run on trails. I've run up to 2.5 hours (she's almost 2 now) but I've heard that people here have taken their vizslas to 100k in a single run. Besides running, she's a great dog to have around the family and when she's tired she's chill. Otherwise, she's pretty hyper :)
Kelpies are great running dogs. Quick, intelligent, not too big, handle the heat fine, bread for mustering sheep in Australia.
eurodonkey wrote:
https://athleticsweekly.com/interviews/training-with-kipchoge-led-to-london-breakthrough-says-sesemann-1039950219/So Phil Sesemann's Viszla-Spaniel cross trained him up for a a sub 2:13 at London. If you were going to get a dog as a running companion, what would you go for? Anyone had experience of this? What sort of mileage is a dog comfortable with?
Border collie...we run by 40-50 kangaroos every morning and doesn't chase them. She knows left and right. Bloody smart dogs. If I say back or snake she immediately runs behind me.
Kipchoge is a Vizsla-Spaniel cross. She can manage 20milers and is more than happy with running twice a day. Her biggest rolling 7 days was 103miles. I was impressed this summer with how well she managed the heat.
A border collie is going to be pretty hard to beat when it comes to a running companion but the long hair was off putting with frequent trail runs and potentially having to bathe the dog twice daily in Winter months. Short hair dogs just take a quick towel down even when filthy to clean off. I know Seb Batchelor (GB Mountain/trail runnner) does very big mileage with his two Border Collies.
I've just got a German Short Haired Pointer Haile who I think will be even more suited as a running companion than Kipchoge.
I'm fairly new to running with a dog, but I have a young Brittany Spaniel that has been running 1-1.5 miles with me 3-4 days a week. I'm told they have endless energy and can easily run 10 miles.
Boxer Buddy wrote:
If you want a decent training partner that isn't going to be a pyscho if you don't happen to run every day with them... a boxer is great. My boxer is a stud on trails (10-15 miles) and my PT has a boxer he mountain bikes with. He won't go long on roads (happy with 5-7 milers) because of pace/boredom. Three season dog though. Doesn't handle summer running well.
This is the truth. Had 4 boxers. All great family pets and guard(alarm) dogs. Absolutely hilarious companions. Require a lot of exercise! Mine runs with me daily on and off leash. He's jacked because we exercise him daily so he doesnt get fat lime some boxers. 75 lbs of energy. Id make a 400 hurdler out of him if he were human.
My coonhound/shepherd mix is like Carl Lewis, runs like a demon and can jump ridiculously. The most athletic animal I've ever seen.
My greyhound is a great training buddy. No other dog has quite the same willingness to lay there watching me without moving a muscle while I'm doing repeats. Also doubles as a paperweight for my training log and warmups.