Best dog breeds as training partners?

RichardRider wrote:

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 guy is my first boxer. But I'm sold on the breed. Complete goof ball and the most personality of any breed I've interacted with before. He's perfect for me and my pace (slightly above average female hobby runner) but I'm sure he could go faster/longer if trained. I run 3-4 times a week with him and he rests on my group run days. Total couch potato otherwise. And seriously... boxers are not supposed to be fat. But because they are all muscle that muscle turns to fat quick.

I got a German Short Haired Pointer. They are incredibly high energy so they need the exercise. They have short hair so its very easy to deal with keeping her clean, dirt and vegetation just fall right off likes she is coated in teflon. I only run her on trails but I probably do about 20-30 miles a week with her. When it is hot she really needs water, I take her on trails that have streams so she can cool off and drink. In the fall she can go forever. Winter I don't take her because with her short hair she gets really cold and doesn't seem to enjoy it. She just snoozes by the fireplace.

Have to second the German Shorthair Pointer. Mine is just over a year and can easily do 17 milers at a walk and sub 630 pace. He also thru hiked the AT without issue this spring/summer

I third the GSP vote. I have had two GSP's and I have yet to run them down. I live in Texas where it is hot as shxt. Both dogs have run over 20 miles on the road - on leash - with me in the summer. This is very early morning running, but still 80 degrees and 80% humidity. On the trail, both GSP's are ready for more miles after 30 miles on the trail. Those are 30 human miles. I run my current GSP off leash and he is more than doubling (way more) my mileage on the trail - changing paces for full sprint to laying down at intersections where he is unsure of our next turn. GSP's are extremely smart and trainable. Because they are hunting dogs, they are very good at ranging and recall. They are basically bred to go long distances & return on command The only times I have had issues with my GSP is when it is 100+ on the trails...we only go 30 min or so for a second run and he'll be panting under a tree waiting for me. Before anyone calls me abusive they need to be sitting at my house when I lace up my shoes for the 2nd run & deny my dog his 2nd...not gonna happen.

I really want to take my GSP on a long through hike...would love to get more details on AT thru hike, WallowGawker.

How's your border collie around children, given that you run the collie a lot? I understand that they'll herd children and obviously need a lot of exercise.

Huskys are great biking/running/sledding dogs if you live somewhere where it's pretty cold most of the year. I'd say any working hunting dog would do as well (lab, vizla, German shorthaired pointer, etc). Breed shouldn't be the only thing you look at though, there are terrible breeders in every breed. Look at the breeders, meet their dogs make sure they are doing health checks - this may cost you extra money but it goes a long way if it assures you get a happy, healthy dog that fits in with your family. If you are looking for a dog specifically for running, I would steer clear of shelters and pet stores and buy from a REPUTABLE breeder. Too risky not to, for a lot of reasons.

Agree completely. Research the breed extensively to see what breed is best for your situation and then research the breeders of that breed extensively.

1) Vizsla, 2) Rhodesian Ridgeback, 3) Weimaraner. All are capable of running 20-25. Vizsla’s are very good in the heat. They call them Velcro dogs because they always want to be with you.

Second the viszla. Mine can go forever and he doesn’t really need a leash. He will just run by my side.

I have a German Shorthaired Pointer/Weimaraner mix. He’s one heck of a running buddy.

German shorthaired pointer (GSP), Viszla, Spaniels. My GSP is 3.5 years and she runs every day with me except when we are hunting the next day. 50+ miles a week at 6:30-7:00 pace, concrete, trails and gravel roads. During bird hunts, she will easily go 30 miles in one day averaging 9-10 mph.

It's not specific to GSP's, but be cautious of what your air temperature typically is. When it's 70ish degrees or below, we can typically do a 1 hour run with 1 or no water stops. After we get above 80-85, I'm stopping every 15-20 minutes to get her some water or find a spot for her to jump in a pond or creek. BUT that may be specific to my dog since where I live has pretty cool summers. It is rare to see temps much above 85 or 90 even in July and August so her heat tolerance is pretty low compared to a dog living in warmer climates.

Most importantly, be prepared to have a dog with superior fitness. When dogs get in good shape there is no turning it off on rest days. My girl is an absolute maniac when she doesn't get to run for a couple days. Although she is getting better as she gets older.

Remember a puppy should only walk 5 min for every month of age and shouldnt run on excercises before atleast 9 months of age- depends on breed. Would choose a husky for tempo work and malamute for long slow. Easy to get dirt out of their fur without giving them a bath.

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?

Certainly NOT my 190 lb Great Dane.

RougeDog wrote:

1) Vizsla, 2) Rhodesian Ridgeback, 3) Weimaraner. All are capable of running 20-25. Vizsla’s are very good in the heat. They call them Velcro dogs because they always want to be with you.

My Rhodesian ridgeback is the laziest dog on the planet and also a slow/disinterested runner. She’s a good dog though, not a psycho like our neighbors vizsla. Ymmv.

Part of the question is how large a dog do you want. Vizsla, GSP and Weimaraner are all closely related breeds with size increasing in that order. We have a Vizla, now about 2-1/2yrs old that runs 7-10mi/day with me and my wife. They shed the least of any dog, but she does get cold in the Winter, and we have coats for her which she is happy to run in when temp gets down in the 30s. We have friends with a GSP that is very similar in personality and is about 10lbs. larger.

So true! My grey would just trot along (would NEVER have a need to "gallup" at all). He would quickly get bored and had to sniff EVERYTHING. He was relegated back to the couch.

nike shill wrote:

My coonhound/shepherd mix is like Carl Lewis, runs like a demon and can jump ridiculously. The most athletic animal I've ever seen.

Not anymore if you watch this entire video.

Dog owners are the smokers of today.

I’ve seen a few Brit and Irish athletes running with BCs. Irish 2.10 Olympian Seaward posts a lot about running with his dog. Do the dogs actually enjoy it?