Running Dogs: Collie?

Just be careful in the heat. Lots of hair on border collies, makes for easy overheating.

I have heard at least 6 months before any prolonged running, some people even say 9-12 months. I don't know if collies are prone to him problems, but I would say nothing serious before 9 months, or until they stop growing. But better to be safe and wait a couple extra months now and gain a few years later of healthy dog bones.

Border Collies can run forever. 2-3 miles is barely a warm up.

My BC can go 10+ at 7 min pace easily. She wont even take water until after the run, unless I'm going 12 or more.

At your distance, 5-6 months should be fine. Just make sure the dog is comfortably leash trained first.

Sam, We have 2 border collies. They can run forever. Last year my wife would take both to do her 3+ hour runs on Pikes Peak. The young one @ 6 months was fine. Now she runs 2-3 hours on lower elevation trails no prblem. The heat gives both dogs some problems. That is the biggest concern.

Border Collies are great dogs for running. I'd definitely wait until your dog is at least a year old before running any mileage though. It's okay to let it play and run around the backyard as exercise for now, but while the dog is growing, its bones and growth plates could be damaged with prolonged running. If you want more information, I wrote an article for my news writing class on the subject:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?board=1&id=1895387&thread=1895312

I have an australian shepherd and he does really well, but again i dont run him when it gets very warm out. it isnt fair to a dog to have them out in the heat.

Doggies wrote:

I have an australian shepherd and he does really well, but again i dont run him when it gets very warm out. it isnt fair to a dog to have them out in the heat.

the other dog we thought about was an australian shepherd. that was good looking dog as well and looked like he would be able to run. shorter hair, muscular, friendly. came close to getting that one. the "collie mix" seemed more outgoing and friendly though and running was not the #1 priority.

i dont really plan on long runs with the dog, but 3 miles or so when it is not too hot would be good if she is able to do it. i figure that will give the dog some exercise and me someone to run with.

thanks for all the posts and the link txrunnergirl.

i have an aussie and also an aussie/border collie mix. they both do pretty well. they are both active breeds and love the exercise :)

I wouldnt run it until its pretty close to a year though.. apparently it isnt good for their bodies.

border collies were bred to chase heards all day....... they should make great running dogs

Running will be the best thing for your border collie. The saying goes "a bored border collie is a distructive border collie." So make sure you give him an outlet for his energy and challenges to keep him from getting into trouble.

My sister's border collie destroyed her kitchen when he was a puppy because he was bored. He chewed the floor, the cabinets, the refrigerator, you name it. At the advice of a dog trainer she started teaching him tricks so he would have something to focus his energy on. Now he is well behaved and hasn't destroyed anything in years. I bet if she had taken him running a lot of his earlier behaviour issues wouldn't have happened.

brown lab, mine can go 1hr 15 - 30 very comfortably inside 7 min pace and will caine me up the hills. again, careful with the heat...

how about names?

the dog is a girl.

help me, my wife wants to name her "belle" or "luna."

help me.

hill123456789 wrote:

brown lab, mine can go 1hr 15 - 30 very comfortably inside 7 min pace and will caine me up the hills.

your dog is faster than me.

Sam

Read up on the breed. Border Collies are likely smarter than you ;-) both of you need to go to obedience school for a long while. Border Collies need stimulation, direction, your companionship and execise. With regards to stimulation, either you provide it for them, or they will make their own. Your choice.

Wait until the he's 10 - 12 months old before you go 2 - 3 miles.

sam w wrote:

how about names?

the dog is a girl.

help me, my wife wants to name her "belle" or "luna."

help me.

This site is very useful for coming up with names:

our border collie's name is Cosmo, as in Cosmo Kramer. I told my parents that if I ever get one, I'll name him Kramer, and yes, if I get one, I plan on getting a male.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

This site is very useful for coming up with names:

http://www.behindthename.com/random/

i am not naming the dog: "Vidar Ulf"

In the cooler months, my border collie (molly) was doing 80 mpw+, but with the heat I have take her running back a lot, even though she doesn't want to. Give her plenty of time to mature before you start doing big miles though.

rocko wrote:

In the cooler months, my border collie (molly) was doing 80 mpw+, but with the heat I have take her running back a lot, even though she doesn't want to. Give her plenty of time to mature before you start doing big miles though.

since dogs do not sweat and it gets hot here in the summer i hope to do some early moring or evening runs with her. i dont plan to go for long runs, 3 miles would be fine with me.

we went for a walk last night, about 18 short blocks. she was tired after that. she is only about 3 months old. she is very much a puppy. i think she might have a little lab in her. she is a mutt, but looks like a border collie - the face, the nose, the black and white coloring...

everyone i have talked to seems to say no running till she is a bit older, (at least 6 months and some say 9 or even 12) which is fine, i dont want to do anything to hurt the dog. we will work in the running very slow. no need to rush it.

if anyone has any tips on training i am interested in that as well. i mostly want to be good with the sit, stay, come, and fetch stuff.

she seems a little interested in the cat and wants to play, but the cat is clearly pissed that there is a new member of the household.

Iv got a Border collie x. Yesterday she came 35km mountain biking with me. We averaged just over 15kph with 1 burst pushing over 50kph where she only just couldnt keep up. At the end she grabbed a stick and asked to play fetch.

Your 2-3 mile runs will be no more than a walk in the park for your dog. This breed is designed for long distance and they absolutely love it! Such a smart and intelligent breed of dog!