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.
I was about to question you big time on this after reading just your first sentence, but then you proved you know about greyhounds with the rest of your post. Good going.
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 have never owned a boxer, but my experience with runners and their dogs tells me that what all of you are saying about boxers is correct. I have known other dog owners who wanted to run with their dogs who might have had success with a certain breed once and then got the same breed again, and it didn't go well. My limited experience and anecdotal evidence tells me that boxers are consistently reliable as training partners.
Having said that about boxers, it is still true that all dogs are individuals, and you might find a boxer who is not into it at all.
A lot of endurance horse riders (think trail ultra running except on horses) I know have blue heelers or blue heeler mixes that run with them over long distances. They say that they’re really great dogs and smart too. I’ve seen them and been around them a little, but can’t say I know them well. Curious to hear if anyone has experience running with them.
I have a blue heeler and if I still ran he would be great running partner. I usually bike so he can get his exercise and 4-5 miles are nothing for him. Btw the fastest I’ve clocked him was he ran a 3:25 mile after splitting 1:59 first half. Was slow first half cause it’s up hill and that’s the fastest I could bike 😂
A dog as a training partner is a great idea! Why didn't I think about it before! I'm going to adopt a dog from a shelter and I'm also looking at the breeds and the peculiarities of caring for them. I found a lot of interesting things on https://www.bestpetstips.com/pet-animals/ and now most of all I think that the Dolmatian is an ideal pet for me. And I really like the idea of taking him for a run training , especially as it is written here, he really needs it and is adapted to running. Thanks!
Blue heelers are very good dogs--smart, friendly--but they are prone to personality issues if not raised well and exercised a lot. They have a tendency to snap and nip, and every once in a while you find one that has a nasty disposition. They also put on weight and look like furry barrels if they're overfed.
In essence, they're working dogs, through and through. They need a strong leader, lots and lots of exercise and a good home. Then they're like any other dog, really--much too good for humans.
I don't know why dogs bother with us cos they're better than us in virtually every way. And this includes blue heelers, but the above are a few things I've noticed, having been around them a fair bit.
Run is a relative term with a GSP; I'm running he's walking fast, even at 630 pace. Hiking wise, he easily covered 15-20 mile days in summer with saddlebags on toting 5-7lbs. On leash he can be a sherpa but off leash he goes ahead but always circles back clockwise, always clockwise, and passes on the left. His biggest day was Hanover NH up cube mt. which was 20 miles with 7k feet elevation loving every second of it.
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.
I've run with 3 Boxers. You're right in that none of them could handle much heat. But in cool or cold weather, they can run very well.
My first Boxer who I trained from a puppy, could run 10 miles with me, then still have the energy to play and sprint after, and never got distracted.
My second, because I didn't train her to run early enough, would get too distracted by other dogs, but I blame myself for the poor training in her case.
My third Boxer, who I have now and rescued (age 5) is becoming a very good runner. It's important to have a good collar that they respect and which keeps them focused.
Boxers are all around incredible dogs. They love running like kids love unlimited candy, Disney and toys. If you take they out for a good run, they feel like they conquered the world, the whole rest of the day.
I have had Rhodesian Ridgebacks for years, they are fast enough to catch up to deer and can run for long periods of times and do not have the hip issues of other breeds. They are strong willed to train, so it takes a motivated person to train them properly.
Hi there. The time has come to revive this thread. Personally, I have a weimaraner. Probably the best dogs for training. Btw, I still don't have a dog house for him. What would you recommend to get?
Hey hey! I'm new to this forum and saw your post about finding a dog house for your Weimaraner. They're definitely great dogs for training, so kudos to you for having one (btw I have one too)! As for the dog house, have you considered making one yourself? A could be a fun project and a great way to personalize your pup's space. Plus, it'll be extra special knowing you made it yourself! Just make sure to measure everything out correctly so it fits your furry friend comfortably. Good luck!
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.
100% believe that one. People who don't know think that Greyhounds would just be amped up and running around all the time, but the truth is they do very well with one or two zoomies a day in the back yard and then they are sloths the rest of the day...and once they get older, sloths all the time.
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.
100% believe that one. People who don't know think that Greyhounds would just be amped up and running around all the time, but the truth is they do very well with one or two zoomies a day in the back yard and then they are sloths the rest of the day...and once they get older, sloths all the time.
I had a border collie (actually my mom's) and she was easily able to run 15 miles at 5:50 pace. The only downside was when she saw a squirrel and she was off like a bandit!
