Any doodle runners? Long distance?

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Just wondering if anyone on DK takes their doodle running with them. Our original purpose for getting a dog (outside of REALLY wanting one) was so I could have a partner on my night jogs, or when it's cold, or someone to take to the trails with me. My SO tries to run with me, but can't keep my pace. I carry pepper spray, but he still worries. So the plan is for George to run with me, she's much too young at 6 months.
Just wondering when the right time to start is, I know to wait till she's over a year. At a year can she work up to a 5k? Then after she's 2 start doing real distance? Also, for those of you that run what pace does your doodle keep? Do you keep them cut short? How often do you take them? Can they handle long distance training (marathon)? She is a standard and is great with her commands and manners, and also pretty athletic, but at times clumsy. Any experience would be helpful! Already hating having to leave her behind to run. ;)

[F, Calla & Luca]

With no experience in this my first impression is that dogs, and possibly people, are not made to run 26 miles.

[Marie and Hoka]

We are not made to run 26.2, but I can attest that if I can do it, truly anyone can!!!  I never could run the mile in high school!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I assure I couldn't : ) but then I didn't start many years ago when I was 46. I'm happy I can walk the dogs.

[Adina P]

What I've read is that nonstop running is a bad idea for dogs under 18 months as their growth plates don't close before that time.  I would not do a 5K that involved consistent running/jogging before 18 months.  That said, I'm also not sure about dogs and marathons. 

[Adina P]

I found this casual article on the topic:  http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/can-a-dog-train-for-a-mara...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

So doodles are probably NOT the best choice of dog for long distance running.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Actually this article was exactly what I was looking for! Also, 5k is 3 miles, i was planning on putting George on a 10 week couch to 5k program at 1 year, so she would have been about 14 months old. I'll just delay that a few months and her plan would include lots of jogging and walking intervals. So 18 months is also still great. Her hips can't be OFA scored until she's 2, so we never planned on doing more than a few miles until then anyways.

Even if she's only ever up for a few miles that is perfect for my training runs during the week. I wouldn't think she would be into a 3 hour weekend long run. Most PEOPLE aren't. I had been searching the internet, but could only ever find this article, which shows which dogs might fit which kind of running you're into...

http://m.runnersworld.com/running-tips/breed-apart?page=single

Ironically it says goldendoodles have the right build for 10+ Miles. Which is why I decided to post in the forum. Either way, we'll see how her hips score, and whether she cares for jogging. :)

Thank you for all your help ladies. :)

[Marie and Hoka]

Abigail,

Hey there, my plan is for Hoka (5.5 months) to run with me.  He is even named after my running shoes, Hoka One One! It means apparently "Time to Fly" in Maori.

I am a later in life marathoner (first one at age 46) and a very slow runner (11-12 minute pace on training runs). I plan to wait until he is older... 18 months.... and then again probably only take him on my neighborhood training runs which are usually 3-4 miles.

My dear departed doodle loved to run, but would run alongside my bicycle for about 2-3 miles and LOVED it.  He was very good on leash, especially with a gentle leader head collar.  I plan to introduce the gentle leader to Hoka when he is a bit older. It really gives control, even more than the no-pull harnesses.  He knew when he wore it we were going for fun time!

I really should consider pepper spray, keep thinking about it.  I do my all my long runs in the forest preserve, which is very busy on weekend mornings, but still.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

That sounds like what I would like for George to accompany me on. Even on weekends if the long run is under 10 miles i would feel comfortable taking her to the trails with me. She loves when I take her out to trails for her walk. So much more stimulating! I have never used my pepper spray and I would be scared to honestly.

[Jordan & Daisy]

Marie, we want to get a gentle leader for Daisy but I am sort of confused which one I should be looking at. Is it this one? 

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14142

[Marie and Hoka]

That is the harness version, it works well too. Hoka has one of those exactly for right now. Really, it works well and I would recommend it.

But the one I will use for Hoka for running  once he is a bigger is a head collar. It really gave us great control with Tinker.  Tinker would wear one, but Torrey never would tolerate it. Given how tolerant he was of the cone of shame, I assume Hoka will be ok with it too.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I have done the couch to 5k program with Woody..our 3 yr old GD…and my "jog" is his walk (11-12 min mile)..I wouldn't even call it a trot..lol..but he is very leggy.

A very good thing in that article was the importance of having excellent leash manners. I would make sure before you start with your dog that you can jog without your dog getting excited and jumping up at you, or towards other people. And always keep the dog is a "loose leash" by your side…not pulling you forward.

To answer your question of being able to do a marathon.  I would vote no.  That is a long distance..which would require food and water breaks, I would fear of bloat..among other things.. joint pain, possible stress fractures, paw pad damage etc.