From: primeaux@wham-o.cs.utk.edu (David Primeaux)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Dogs and Jogging
Date: 2 Sep 92 15:18:25 GMT
Organization: University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Department of Computer Science
Distribution: world
Reply-To: primeaux@wham-o.cs.utk.edu (David Primeaux)
NNTP-Posting-Host: wham-o.cs.utk.edu

In article <9209021314.AA00907@mozart.dcrt.nih.gov>, young@alw.nih.gov writes:
|> In article <1992Sep1.231448.3677@newshost.lanl.gov> you write:
|> |> In article <1992Sep1.131115.26377@fns-nc1.fns.com> vib@fns-nc1.fns.com (Victor Bur) writes:
|> |> 
|> |> [stuff deleted]
|> |> 
|> |> >
|> |> >My opinion: if you are experienced jogger/runner, NO dog is suitable for
|> |> >you.  By "design", canines can deliver high speed for a short distance
|> |> >(during the pray chaise, for example), but they are not built for a long,
|> |> >steady running.  If you want to do that, watch for the damage you may
|> |> >inflict on dog's hips, and also have an emergency kit ready for injuries
|> |> >and/or overheating.
|> |> >
|> |> >Best regards,
|> |> >Victor
|> |> >
|> |> 
|> |> I would not say that NO dog is designed for running.  Many dogs lope for
|> |> many miles just fine.  You may have to adjust your normal jogging stride so 
|> |> that they can "lope", but it is certainly doable (with some breeds).  Distance 
|> |> mushing dogs (like those in the Iditarod) can lope for hundreds of miles (note
|> |> that lopping and running are not the same).
|> |> 
|> 
|> I've been running with a dog for 5 years now.  The key to running with
|> a dog is to find a course which provides water and seclusion so that the
|> dog can be let off leash. I am suprised by the endurance and stamina
|> of my dogs.  I wouldn't have taken them out on a 20-miler, we run a 
|> five mile course each day.  Three of the five miles follows a river and
|> four of the five is through a wooded area where the dog may run free.
|> I take extra precautions in the heat (I wet the dog down before and after
|> with a garden hose) and try to run in the early or late hours.  
|> 
|> The dogs I believe are suited for this purpose:
|> 
|> In order,
|> 
|> Sight hounds (greyhounds, borzoi, saluki, afghan,
|> 	any of the tall-slender racing types), 
|> Sporting breeds (pointers first, setters, trackers, retrievers last),
|> Working breeds (carry more weight, some are less suited to the heat),
|> 
|> I wouldn't recommend,
|> Long hair for hot climates or thick forests, or ticks.
|> Toy breeds, anything under 15" (you'd be suprised
|> at the stamina of a beagle).
|> Large, heavy dogs for long distance (5 mi. +)
|> 
|> I once went out for a run while a friend was visiting.  He decided 
|> to come with us on a bicycle.  We were just about to enter the woods
|> from a steep hill.  My friend let the bicycle move quickly to the
|> bottom of the hill and as he reached the bottom my dog came blazing 
|> past.  He damn near fell off of the bicycle.  
|> 
|> Dogs are equipped for amazing bursts of speed, watch them closely though
|> because they will run to keep up with you even when exhausted.
|> -- 
|> ___________	
|> 	jy
|> 	young@heart.dcrt.nih.gov

I would think that dalmatians should be pretty high on your list of dogs
suitable for long distance running since that seems to be the purpose
for which the breed was originally bred.

-- d
primeaux@cs.utk.edu