Jogging with a Doodle

[Lori]

Casper is now just over a year old.  I would like to know if jogging with Casper for 2.5 miles a few times a week is too much, or just right for a dog his age.  There is a lot out there on the internet and one year seems to be the age at which jogging is OK (growth / bone and joint wise) and that Goldens and Poodles (NOT a lot out there about Doodles) are good breeds for running.  So, what do you all think?  2.5 miles 4 or 5 times a week OK?  I do a loop, so another option is to do 1.25 and drop the dog off.  Casper seems to have a LOT of energy to burn off, but don't want to damage his joints.  Tonight we did 2.5 and casper was pooped and breathing heavily, but settled down nicely after a little while.  Thoughts?  

Thanks,

Kevin, Lori's main squeeze

[Jessica & Lucie]

Personally I don't think that sounds like too much but you might want to gradually work your way up to 2.5 if he's not used to running. Maybe fewer times per week or shorter distances?
I haven't had much success running with mine, but if shes free to run on her own, in the woods then she will go forever! On the leash though She ends up dragging behind me after about a mile...

[Lori]

Thanks. We've been doing about 1.5 and tonight I kicked it up a little for him. He pulls me for the first 1.25, then jogs next to me for the last half. He's beat by the end, but recovers pretty quickly once we're home. I don't think I'd do any more with him, at least at this point, and he seems to do OK with the pace (bet 7.5 and 8 minute miles). Just worried about his joints. Guess I should ask the vet too.

[Holly Doodle]

I've heard they don't stop growing completely until around 1 1/2 years old so you should wait to do longer distances until then. I would maybe try shorter distances or fewer times a week until Casper's a little bit older. My husband just started running with our doodle whose 1 yr and 5 months and she loves it, I wish I felt better about him running more with her but I would hate for him to over-do it and cause HD or something. Anyways good luck!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

My vet told me that a dog either has loose hips or it doesn't and that "restricting them from climbing stairs or running is silly". My breeder had told me I needed to carry Seda up and down the stairs until she was a year old! That is only one Vet's opinion but it makes some sense to me from a pathophysiological point of view. Does anyone have different information about this?

[Carol Brand]

You are supposed to carry your dog up and down steps for a year?!?! That is just the silliest thing I've ever heard. First of all it is not true, but even if it was, why would any breeder breed dogs who had hips soooooo fragile that they needed to be carried up and down stairs for a year?

To answer the OP's question......as far as jogging goes, until your dog is over 18 months, I would keep it short (no more than 2 miles) and not more than 3 times a week. Keep temperature in mind. Many Doodles have Poodle coats which are incredibly warm. You may be running in shorts, but your dog is running in a fur coat. Consider the body type of your dog. Is it more Poodle or more Golden?. Goldens are heavier bone, heavier bodied water retrievers and they really are not distance running dogs the way GSP or Poodles or Vizslas are. Keep structure in mind if you increase distance and frequency or you may end up with an arthritic dog in the future.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have a 1 yr old goldendoodle "Sasha" she joggs in the park with me for 3 miles. My vet said to slowly work up to the distance. We walked first half mile then 1 mile, then 1.5 etc. etc. Now I jog the 2nd mile and speed walk the 1st and 3rd. Sasha loves it, plus she keeps me company. I started with every 2nd or 3rd day, unfortunately I have not had time during the week to jog with her (new puppy a labradoodle) he is 3 months old and I just walk him around the block for now. My long term plan is to 3 miles with both of them but that is a long way off. Sasha has a lot of energy as well and a good jog or speed walk burns some of that off. Sometimes when we get home she seems to have more energy then when we started LOL. Good rule of thumb, talk to your vet who knows the dog and just gradually work up to the distance and keep a close eye Casper. I always bring a bowl and plenty of water with me, we stop every mile so Sasha can have a quick 5 minute rest and some water. Good luck and happy trails :)

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

I started jogging with Welly when he was 9 months. I don't go far (2 miles max) and not on roads (grass or beach) but 1 year and 2.5 miles sounds fine to me. Long distances on hard surfaces are to be avoided (for both people and dogs!). My dad has to have a knee replacement after running miles and miles on roads all his life....

Im sure your doodle will love his jogs.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

The mileage and number of times a week seem just about right to me. If you are really concerned your vet could do a joint x-ray to see if the joint is done growing. Remember that humans and dogs should have at least one rest day and week and try to alternate surfaces on which you jog if possible. I know that it is tough in the city.

I jogged with my huskies about 2-2.5 miles 4 days a week for a long long time and I am sure it gave them longer lives. So keep it up just don't go crazy. With just walking and jogging the most likely sore point for healthy dogs is their pads. If it becomes a problem there are many solutions available from stickies for the bottom of their pads to booties.

[Natasha]

Hi Lori,

Our vet is a runner with a medium sized ridgeback. She told us to hold off on running until Rouser was 18 months old - not just out of concern for his hips, but for his ankles and knees (elbows) as well.

However - she ALSO said that he would be able to regulate himself/be a good guide for us. She said to take him to a grassy area and just let him run - it would be good for his lung and joint development. The two take aways were: a) left to his own devices, he will run for as long and as far as his body is ready; and b) running on grass/dirt is fine but running on cement is too hard on his joints as his body is developing.

After the 18 months were up, we found that Rouser can walk/run a little under 3 miles before he gets too tired and too hot (he plops himself down on the grass and won't get up for at least 5 minutes). We live in a climate that is pretty much 60-75 degree year round and he does better when it is cooler so I'm sure that the heat is as much of an issue as the walking.

For awhile, my husband tried to walk him (on leash) about 5 miles and it was too much for Rouser. After about a week, he started limping a bit so we backed off. Now, because he is usually off-leash, he is actually doing more than 3 miles because he will run ahead, check something out and then run back. I'm sure other doodles will have a different range that they can go - the 3 miles is just our limit.

[shelly]

First of all, Lori... YOU GO GIRL!!! I think that you're terrific for running all of those days per week! I don't even trot... but I did read many times that dogs should not do too much distance running until they are two. That's when their joints are ready.... just something I remember reading. I would ask your vet any way! And keep up the good work!!!

[Lori]

Hi Shelly - unfortunately I"M not jogging...I HATE jogging! My husband posted the question! Thanks for the encouragement though...I am trying to get back to the gym....

[shelly]

Oh.... How'd the DH sneak in there? LOL Well good for him, then! I know.. I used to kickbox - I LOVED it! GREAT excersise and fun! Burns LOTS of calories, but then all those years of dance and kickline and then the Kickboxing, and they are not good any more... I actually have a tear, but the dr. recommended only doing surgery if I feel it's interfering with my life... NAH! Not enough right now! Being confined and not beng able to work, PTA, etc. and kids' activites would be more interfering, so for now... I just grin and bear it! LOL