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. ;)

[Marie and Hoka]

Yes! I basically had to jog to get Tinker anywhere near a trot.  He was very leggy and fast as well.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

She has always been excellent on the leash, and to clear something up..I would never have her run 26 miles. I consider long distance anything over 8 miles. I really just want a buddy to take on my during the week (sometimes night) runs which aren't as lengthy as the weekend (often during the day) long runs. If my short runs ever got too long for her I would just double back and drop her off at the house. We do a lot of charity 5 and 10k races around the city and many of them are dog friendly, so that is the only competitive run she would ever do with me, and ONLY after she has been PROPERLY conditioned. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it. :)

[jenn D]

Well our rescue Jake got my husband off the couch and running which is saying something. Jake is just over a year and Husband runs a mile and a half a day with him which is a huge workout for husband but it seems to be nothing for Jake. I'm not sure how far/long they could go (doodles not my husband.I know husband's limit is probably 2 miles!)

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

My lovely SO has that 2 mile limit as well, some days even shorter! So maybe if George isn't into running with me, she can motivate him. :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Abigail, I too had gotten my Murphy with the intention of having him be my running partner. I had also asked the breeder for a calm, not overly active dog, and that is just what I got! Therefore, running was just not in his activity level. I did try, for months, after 18 months old, a mile at a time, along the beach road, and he'd get breaks to jump in the ocean to cool off but even with that he would just stop and drop in any shady area along the route. It got to the point where whenever I laced up my running shoes, he would go hide behind a chair or DH. Obviously telling me he didn't like running! It was also in FLorida and the humidity was very hard on him.
Then I got Bella thinking Golden doodles just don't like running and low and behold, she is like my little canine Forrest Gump! Ive even joked that I should have named her Forrest.
She came to me at 10 weeks totally leash trained and has an amazing ability to keep up with and adjust to my pace , (9-11 min miles) But she's only lived in Az and we have about 7-8 months of really cool mornings with no humidity.
She is tireless and just keeps on going! She has never had problems with her paws as long as I go when its cool enough for her, she doesn't ever potty on runs so there are no sudden stops.
I would say, by all this, that your dog will tell you what they like or are able to do. My son runs his mixed breeds fast and long, (6 min/miles or less and over 5-6 miles at a time) and they love it. Only one pad problem, but it was hotter out that day.
We both feel we would not run our dogs longer than 4-6 miles even if they would. I know how my body feels after that many miles, so Im not going to put that stress on her. No I don't think I would have her train for a marathon with me. For that matter, I'm not going to train for another marathon either so it's a moot point.
Just take it slow and easy, after 18 mo and you'll know the dogs limit.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

I agree! She will ultimately decide whether she runs with me or not, I think there is some confusion on how I want her to train with me. She would never be expected to run 26.2 miles. She would accompany me on my during the week short runs, and if/when they got longer than I feel comfortable taking her I would double back by my house and drop her off. :) she isn't an overly "hyper" dog, she tries very hard to please me. She has amazing leash manners especially for her age. So I'm hoping she could at the least join me for a few miles multiple times a week. Even if she's not a runner, she's a joy to have around and we wouldn't trade her for anything. :)

[Marie and Hoka]

Just came from my long run morning in our forest preserve and did notice a big yellow lab who had gone the whole loop (7.3) miles easily, happily and carrying his ball in his mouth the whole way!  So cute.  Hopefully that will be Hoka in a another year.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

That is AWESOME Marie! I'm hoping that will be George too! We're thinking of getting her a ruffwear pack when she stops growing so that she can carry her own water on our hikes or potential runs! If she ever does 7 miles she will need it. ;)

[Marie and Hoka]

LOL, that reminds me of how I got my son a teeny backpack and made him carry his diapers and wipes when he was 3!  I was done!