On the run with your dog

People are out walking their dogs more than ever. We have a veritable parade of dogs and people passing by our window. Neighbors who walk their dogs early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The two men who walk their dogs off lead and are surprised when they encounter a fellow dogwalker. The lady who talks on her cell phone as her dog pulls her down the sidewalk. The two boys who run, laugh and jump down the street, their dog wagging his tail and running between them. Then there are the people running with their dogs, getting their daily workouts.

Chrisie Aschwanden of runnersworld.com and Jenna Autori-Dedic of fitnessmagazine.com have information about running with your dog for exercise. They offer suggestions, guidelines and even equipment for making your daily run fun for you and your dog.

Aschwanden notes puppies need time for their bones to grow so their joints aren't injured. She cautions not to run with your puppy until his bones stop growing, about 9 months in small dogs and larger breeds, possibly up to 16 months. Consult your veterinarian regarding your dog's health and fitness prior to starting endurance running.

Start slowly and ease your dog into the running routine. Start him with a five-minute warm up prior to the run. Then pace him. As you run, watch for signs of fatigue in your dog; hind legs dragging, flattened ears, tail down, heavy panting or he may sit down and refuse to continue.

“Start with three times per week for 15 or 20 minutes and build up from there, adding five minutes each week, “ notes JT Clough, in Aschwanden's article, “A Breed Apart.”

Autori-Dedic suggests following the guidelines set by Josih Neuman training director for the Neuman K-9 Academy.

“Small dogs, like Boson terriers, can typically go 2 to 3 ½ miles per hour (an easy to brisk walk for you). Medium size breeds, like spaniels, can run at 3 ½ to 4 ½ miles per hour. Large dogs, like golden retrievers , can travel 5 to 6 miles per hour.”

As with any new activity, some training in endurance running is good for you and your dog. Aschwanden suggests a gentle tug on your dog's leash lets you guide his body and attention when you want it. She suggests the dog being within three feet of you, to one side, reinforcing good behavior with a small treat or praise.

“Eventually, the dog will see that the run is the real reward,” she notes.

Good manners still count when you're running with your dog.

Aschwanden says, “If you encounter strangers on a trail, pull off to the side to let them pass without interacting with your dog. Remember, no one loves your dog as much as you do, so don't assume others want your dog to greet them.”

When deciding if you want to train your dog for endurance running, consider reading Aschwanden's article, “A Breed Apart.” She presents Liz Devitt and JT Clough's top running dog breeds in eight categories.

Dogs best suited for running in the cold because of their thick coats and stockier body types are malamutes, German shepherds, Swiss mountain dogs and Siberian huskies.

Dogs best suited for long, slow runs are Catahoulas, Labrador retrievers, standard poodles and Dalmatians because of their bigger bodies which can handle the distance if you go slowly.

Dogs best suited for brisk shorter runs (less than 10K) are greyhounds, pit bulls, English setters, beagles and Golden and Labrador retrievers because of their muscular and lean build and a mind for sprinting rather than slogging.

Dogs best suited for long, steady runs are Weimaraners, German shorthaired pointers, Vizlas and Jack Russell terriers because of their medium build, well-muscled hind quarters.

Susan Dicks, an Albuquerque-based veterinarian and marathon runner observes, “There's no perfect running breed for all conditions, and a dog's personality and temperament are as important as its pedigree.”

She notes mixed breeds can make fine runners, especially if they're medium-sized, alert and eager.

I'm not a runner, so my dog and I enjoy walking around the neighborhood. If you walk with your dog, maybe we'll run into you.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with all funds directly assisting its animals. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.