Running...good or bad?

[Zoey's Mommy]

Hey everyone,
We have been running Zoey a lot lately to relieve some of her energy<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0>. She is approx. 9 months old and can jog and a quick pace almost twice around the block w/ one big hill. I was just wondering if in the long term this is good for her back?
Thanks

[OwnedByChaucer]

Both Chaucer and Herman can run with me. Chaucer ran the first time when he was maybe 7 months old. Herman, we didn't get until he was 13 months old, so that was teh first time he went.

They love to go, and gallop along (faster than mommy can). They are good for 2-3 miles. My vet says this is fine, so long as you don't overdo it, and they have water along the way, and you don't do it if it is too hot.

D

[dutchman]

While I imagine this may be a subject open to debate I will say my standard Frank runs. Right now he is taking the summer off as he doesn't tolerate the heat that well. Heat and summer running is something to be very careful about. Frank started running with me just a couple of weeks after I got him. He must have been about seven months old at the time. I entered us into a 3 KM (1.86 mile) doggie fun run that benefits the local humane society. I lined up at the back expecting to do more of a race walk than a run. Frank wouldn't hear of that he used so much power against the leash that he soon had both front feet in the air and was pushing hard with the back. I just steadily kept increasing his pace thinking he would soon wear out but he held on wanting to catch and pass any dog in front of him. This past winter he ran with me and had gotten up to almost five miles at a conservative 9:30 mile pace. We did one 5 KM (3.1 mile) race where he ran 24:12 and pushed several runners who just couldn't let a weenie dog beat them to new persona best times. At the 3 KM race this spring frank finished in fifth place after holding on to third for over half the race. His time was 13:00 or a 7:00 mile pace. Tanner my tweenie (13#) would like to run but needs to loose a little more weight and I don't expect he will be up to the pace or distance that Frank can run. If nothing else it will help keep their weight down, their hearts healthy, and the nails short. Any thing we can do to avoid having to get out the nail clippers is a big plus with Frank. I'm sure the twisting and struggling Frank does when the nail clippers come out is much harder on his back than running is. Remember these guys were also used to hunt foxes.

Tom and the boys (frank and Tanner)

[Snorodent]

IM going to vote that running gets an A+ with the doxies. a nice, straight run with out jumps and pits, etc. is great for all healthy living things. I think it will probably make for a stronger back due to increased bone mass and a healthier heart and less body fat. My Opal loves to sprint, climb, jump, etc. SHe also tolerates the heat extremely well. Does anyone else notice their Dachsie does much better in the terrible heat than their other dogs? SHe doesnt even seem to notice and rarely pants or slows down. Then again, she is only 6 months. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm19.gif" border=0> <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm19.gif" border=0>
Stacy

[Shay]

mine love to run, too!!! it's HOT here, last couple of weeks it has felt like 100+ outside, one day it was 106, luckily my doxie girls nap during the hottest part of the day, but they don't seems to care that it is hot, and never pant, but drink a lot of water. Shay

[wireweiners]

I assume you mean running on a leash with you? Running is fine as long as the dog is fit. It's like a human starting to exercise, start small and work up. The big thing to watch is not back trouble but overheating in the summer. Its been in the high 90's here so I don't let my guys outside for more than 15 minutes at a time.

[Shay]

Yes for me, mine are always on leashes when we are outside. Right now we are having to limit Jasmines activity because of hw treatment, she wants to run and play so badly. It's very hot here too, so for now, she is not allowed to run at allhttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/kfrown.gif. Ginger misses playing with her, I can't wait for the next few weeks to pass, she should be ready to start exercising again in a month or so. things will be normal again when both my girls are out there running and playing together!!! Shay