Running with my Dood?

[Dublins_Family]

Hi all! I wanted to ask about running: I am a distance runner and am excited for Dubs to be able to join me eventually. At what age is it safe to run with him (short runs to start, 3 miles or so)? I just emailed my breeder with this question, so I'll see what she says, but my husband says the vet told him 6 months. I just feel like that seems sooooo young (though I'd be THRILLED if he's right!).

Thoughts?

THANKS!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am not expert, but I thought it was one year. Maybe it depends on the size of your doodles. Ours are large standards. My DH is the runner, and he would run a mile, then let them off leash to mess about while he ran a second, then leash them to run the mile home. I think he started this routine around six months... maybe eight. 

[Sue and Buddy]

I would wait longer until the bones are more fully developed. When that is can depend upon the size your doodle will be when he is fully grown. Bigger dogs sometimes take longer.  When ever you start the pup needs to start slow build up to longer runs. I hope you don't plan to start with a 3 mile run. At 6 months it might be ok to begin training, but start slow with shorter  walks/jogs. You might go for your run and then take your dog on the cool down when you are going slower and for a shorter distance.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Most big dogs you want to wait until they are about 18 months.  You want to give their bones time to develop.  I am a reasonably new runner (a little over a year) and just recently found this article from Runner's World about running with your dog.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I think one of the keys in this article is the idea of starting slowly. You have to build up to have them walking 3 miles long before you start running with them. Then you can run only a short part of the way... working up to intermittent walk/run. I don't think many dogs are able to run three miles straight. We had a friend in CO who thought his lab could manage a 3 mile run and he learned that was not possible. Some dogs are built for speed like greyhounds, but could never run long distance. This is well worth researching. I"m glad you are looking for answers before attempting to run with your dog. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

What my vet told me is that at about 6 months it is safe to start very short runs.  

She also said to start with 5 minutes run 5 minutes walk (total - running probably more like 1 minute/1 minute walk), no more than total about 20 minutes until the dog is over a year.  Luna is a mini though, so if your pup is a standard I would wait for 1.5 years.

The key she said was to start very gradually, making sure you stop as SOON as the puppy shows signs of slowing down or getting tired.