How far should a doodle run????

[Christina and Cooper plus Benny]

I am running a 216 mile relay this summer - where I have to run 20 miles!  SO....Cooper and I are in training mode.  We went a little over 8 miles tonight (it is very cool out and raining so no heat problems.)  He was dragging a little and I felt kinda bad, and did walk some.  But then, we get home and he is wanting to play ball and acts like he didn't go for a run at all????  He is trying to get my attention right now so I will throw the ball for him!  I think he was bored with the running because we were on a path and he had to be on leash and we did 3 loops.  I bet if he was off leash he would have been happy as can be. 

Cooper is a mini/medium so he only weighs 30 lbs.  We have hiked 15 miles without a problem and again he wanted to play when we got home.  He is in GREAT shape (my vet says he has "a very athletic sounding heart"), and I am very careful about the heat - if he was panting hard, we would have quit.  He also has a cooler vest to wear if it's too warm.

But my question is, how far do you run your doodle?   How far do you think a 30lb dog should run????  What do you watch for to see if your doodle is tired????


 

[Christina and Cooper plus Benny]

He is often off-leash, but tonight, he was on leash, which is why I think he had little interest, and was dragging. Today we were on pavement, sometimes on dirt, sometimes on gravel - Cooper can always run in the grass on the side on the gravel if he wants to. I worry that his paws could get sore....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't run, but let's make sure that everyone knows that this applies to adult dogs whose skeletal growth is complete. Puppies' physical exertion has to be monitored somewhat to avoid hip & joint problems.
I don't see any reason why a dog's size should make any difference in terms of cardiovascular exercise. I think how far or long you let a dog run depends on the dog's age, weight, & general health. An older, out-of-condition, overweight dog won't have the stamina that a younger dog who's used to running will. I don't see any reason why a healthy young adult dog shouldn't run, no matter what he weighs.
Also, I'd think more in terms of time spent exercising than ground covered, as it doesn't take as much time or exertion for a large dog to run 5 miles as it does a small dog.
Right now, Jack can only do 15 minutes of hard non-stop exercise. He lets me know when he's had it by just stopping and lying down. We're working on building up to longer periods. I think you'll know when your dog's had enough by his breathing and general slowing down.

[Frannie & Callie]

I'm very impressed that Cooper can do 8 miles! And I'm super impressed with your relay! Callie can do 4 at a fast walk (fast for me - she would prefer to go faster) at Memorial Park, since I now know that you know the ATL! There is lots of distraction at the park - other people, dogs, and traffic. I was going try her up to 6 (3 loops of the park) but it's now gotten too hot for that (and I'm not sure I'm in awesome shape for 6 either).

You're right - question isn't how much can he run, but how much should he run? My two cents would be to not take him over 8 miles, since he got tired with that. The wanting you to play ball with him is not connected to his energy level - Callie does that kind of thing all the time. She can play with her doggie friends and be so tired that she seems to barely be able to make it into the house and as soon as she sees a tennis ball, she's instantly tail-wagging and prancy and wants to play.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with the playing ball thing; If there's a ball around, Jack wants to play fetch no matter how tired he is.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Hi Christina - This is going to sound a little judgmental but here it goes. First, Cooper needs paw protection for lengthy and repeated running. Even spitz sled dog types wear paw protection and not just for snow and ice.

I owned Siberian Huskies for 40 years and they love love love love to run. They have been bred for it. Running is what they do and they adore it. A husky in shape could run twenty miles with you and have another twenty in him without strain. Just the sheer act of running is a joy to a husky and they never bore or tire of it.

Cooper, on the other hand is bred only from retreiving lines. That is why he still has energy to play ball when you get home. Because it is what he has been bred for centuries to do. He loves, adores fetching balls, sticks, birds, anything that falls from the sky.

Only a vet can advise you on how far and now frequently Cooper should run. Please seek a really knowledgeable vet's advice. Repetitive activities are hard on humans and canines, from running to typing, too much causes injury.

All that said - you said, " I felt kinda bad". Why? Listen to your heart. You have a reason to run - does Cooper? Is he having fun? If the vet says okay, can you make the long runs more fun for him, break them up with games or something.
I don't know where you run, but if it is safe, maybe he could do part and then be tied or crated with a bully stick while you run.

[Christina and Cooper plus Benny]

I don't think your reply is judgmental at all! If I didn't want people's opinions, I wouldn't have asked!
About the paw protection, Cooper does have booties and wears them when needed. I check his paws frequently for hot spots or rawness, especially since he cut his pad when playing ball once. If he needs his boots they are always in my pack or nearby in the car.

I have asked my vet, and he basically says Cooper is in outstanding health and to run as much as he wants. I think the major problem is that I felt bad because I know Coop is bored running with me at my pace. He just gets bored running in the city on leash.

I am thinking of taking my running and dividing it up - 5 miles in the morning and 5 in the evening. That way Cooper can go on one or both runs, depending on how he is doing, heat, surface, etc. Plus, if he does go on both, he gets a variety of scenery and can run on leash sometimes and off leash sometimes.

He has plenty of energy to run 8+ miles, he just doesn't like it when he has to run on leash with me, at my pace. I thought about it, and if I stop and start walking, he strides out in front of me, even when he has gone many miles. I think varying my pace will make him happier too.

Thank you for your input!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

That sounds like a great idea! Good thinking.

I know I have seen "paw stickers" online and I tried to find them again for you, but could not. They are little sticky pad shaped protectors that stick to each pad.

Good luck in the relay.