Is it safe? I've done some homework on biking with dogs, and Conan really seems to enjoy running next to us. But most people bike with larger dogs, and I'm not sure that it's safe with Corgis. We would mostly be biking on pavement, and I know that can be hard on their joints (he's two now) and I worry especially about the strain it can have on his long back.

Any input on this? I asked a Corgi forum I'm part of and most people posted links for carriers for the dog to sit in... But I'm looking for some good exercise, as he's very active. No one really seemed to know if it was safe or not, and how long Corgis could run for. Conan is predominantly show lines but he does have working lines in his pedigree (and I think it really shows) if that makes a difference. He really loves to run and so far a few hours of herding is the only thing that truly gets him tired. I searched Google, and only discovered that the are actual Corgi brand bikes and it has nothing to do with dogs! I just can't find any info.

Thanks in advance for any ideas/advice!

YOu can try searching for bikes on the site's search. I looked it up myself as I started biking with my frenchy/boxerx. Don't remember anything about Corgis; But then again I wasn't looking for Corgis . I wanted to find out how far to go at first so you don't hurt their feet.

Yeah I looked here too. I guess I'm mostly concerned with his back and if there's any extra strain. Looks like no one has the answer. I suppose I could ask a vet... But since I haven't found any other info I worry whether or not it will be sound advice. Maybe nobody really works their Corgis. We don't have a yard so we can't really just let him run around.

Thanks anyways!

Working a Corgi (i.e. on stock) would be a little different than running them alongside a bike. Maybe ask a couple of different Vets as well as a few working breeders? Then you could have a few different opinions to pull from and maybe a more specific direction that you can take your own research in.

Thanks! I'll do that. I know it's a pretty big difference from working stock, but I don't know what else for him to do! Playing fetch with him does wear him out, but nothing tires him like herding does. We drive about an hour south to go herding, and he sleeps the entire way back. He's always calm in the car, but never sleeping! I think I'm going to get a Chuck It though and see if that makes a difference. I'm sure it will. I'm looking for a fully enclosed field close by so I don't have to have him on a long lead but the only ones I can find are dog parks... and we all know about those. I am just getting back into jogging, but he seems to have no interest in it. I'm thinking I can start using some really yummy treats to get him more interested

Katie, do you have any fenced in baseball diamonds or soccer fields in your town?

If your Corgi isn't the type to bite at the bike tires, you could take him into one of those and just bike around with him running freely. This would allow you to gauge his tolerance for sustained running.

Another suggestion would be to take him biking in the enclosed dog park at night when no one else is there. Get him a lighted collar so you can see him. You wouldn't have to do this often, just so you can get a feel for how much sustained activity he can handle.

Remember when you start biking on pavement, to build up his paw pads.

P.S. My dogs LOVE this. I am sure your dog will too!

Have you considered agility? We actually started our corgi with herding, but moved on to agility because it was more convenient (we were driving 2 hours to herd sheep!)

We've found the agility just as tiring as herding--both mentally and physically. All four of ours do agility, and Fanny, the Cardigan, is by far the best! She loves it. Well, everything except sitting on the table. That, we struggle with! Lots of running, jumping, and thinking involved with agility. Good exercise for the handler too.

Thanks Angela, that's a good idea. We don't have anything that's fully enclosed. We have soccer fields that are closed on three sides but are open on the school playground end. Conan isn't the type to leave us, in fact he very much will follow us around anywhere. But just for safety reasons we limit his off leash exercise. I think at night it should be okay. He would have to run very far to get out to the street and I doubt there would be any cats or rabbits or even other people. I drive by the field all the time, and other than a few soccer games it's completely deserted.

Tracy, we've definitely considered agility. I wanted to do that before we got into herding. He's shown some behavior before that made me think he'd be a good stock dog (and so far he is!) and I would like to title him someday, if possible. It's my first dog to title in anything so it's really more a test of my skills than his! I want to do agility still though. Once I title him I think I will start it. His obedience should really be down pat too. Glad to hear Fanny likes it! We'll definitely give it a try

Katie, you might want to PM board member Michael Wise. He bikes with his JRT (and has posted some videos you might be able to find as well).

Edit: Just in terms of biking w/smaller dogs, not sure it will answer your back questions.

Thanks Jennifer! I'll do that