Big dogs, running, and hips.
#278640 - 06/04/2010 09:44 AM |
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Working dogs obviously require regular strenuous exercise to stay in shape physically and mentally. In my opinion, one advantage to having a working dog is that the owner is required to maintain a more physically active lifestyle. God knows I can always use more exercise.
My question is how regular and prolonged running affects the joints of the dogs. I know that many humans develop joint problems with too much running - and heck, we have shoes with padded heels. I'm aware that only mature dogs should run, and that too much running too young can harm the development of young dogs, and lead to possible arthritis prematurely.
What is your opinion on regular (say every other day) 2 to 5 mile runs (or bike rides) with a dog - say a GSD or maybe a Mal or a Boxer? Is that too much pounding on the joints?
What other activities do you folks use to work your dogs out? I know that swimming is excellent - wish I wasn't in the desert sometimes...
I'm also aware that "mental exhaustion" through training is important as well. For this question, I just wonder specifically about rigorous physical activity.
Thanks for any info.
A dog has alot of friends because he wags his tail instead of his mouth.
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Rob Abel ]
#278643 - 06/04/2010 10:32 AM |
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How old is the dog in question?
I think a run that long would be Ok for an adult dog that was conditioned to it. Meaning that you would start up with short distances and increase slowly until you are both biking/running the desired distance. Trails/open fields are the best for dogs to run on as the ground is soft so it reduces the amount of stress on the joints. Even with an adult dog, pavement is not the best running surface.
I would want a vet check done with a blood panel to check everything is done before I start any conditioning.
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Rob Abel ]
#278653 - 06/04/2010 11:47 AM |
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I doubt a boxer would have the wind for a run like that, Rob, no matter how well conditioned the rest of his body is.
I know several people who do roadwork with their dogs punding pavement. I think if you're smart and sane about it your dog can benefit.
My dog and I don't run, but we take long off-leash walks a couple nights a week, where Ripley covers much more ground than I. We also play a lot of fetch. In warm enough weather he swims, either retrieving his Orbee Cosmos ball or chasing his remote controlled boat. We also are in obedience classes 2 or 3 nights a week.
I promised that when I adopted my dog that if he could last 8 hours a day alone while I'm at work, the rest of my time would belong to him. It's been a pleasure keeping that bargain.
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Ripley & his Precious
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Meredith Hamilton ]
#278663 - 06/04/2010 12:25 PM |
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I try to not to do the same physical exercise over and over, so I try to mix it up the best I can. I think it is healthy to use different muscles and place different cardio demands to their level of endurance. Lucky for me only 2 are high energy. I give them joint supplements and we mix up the terrain.
Where I live there are places that have dog pools for them to swim laps, etc and the under-water treadmills that we'll use. I set up jumps in the backyard, make things for them to climb up and down on, step over or stratle (spelling?). I'll play 'keep away', bounce the ball off the side of something standing about 5-10ft away and see who can get it first, more like a sprint type activity. Sometimes I put a dog pack on them and carry weight in the packs on walks. One likes to put her fronts on the top of some garage car working thing that is on rollers and 'skate' around. I get the sprinkler out for more sprinting type activity. Winter is filled with stuff too, but you don't have that opportunity.
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Meredith Hamilton ]
#278664 - 06/04/2010 12:32 PM |
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I am boarding a boxer that would be able to run this and then some
He is not a "typical" boxer, whatever that means.
There is a girl in one of our classes that owns a boxer that could equally run this far and still be able to go. He is not old enough for this much exercise yet, but she is challenged everyday by this dogs energy and agility.
I look more at the abilities of the individual and not so much the breed anymore, only because of the variations that I have seen within the breeds.
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Niomi Smith ]
#278666 - 06/04/2010 12:41 PM |
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You're right not to sterotype an entire breed, Niomi. ![:) smiley for :)](http://leerburg.com/forums/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif) I'll amend my statement to say I know several unrelated boxers, and none of them breathe well.
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Meredith Hamilton ]
#278678 - 06/04/2010 02:29 PM |
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I doubt a boxer would have the wind for a run like that, Rob, no matter how well conditioned the rest of his body is.
I was astonished one day to see an english bulldog running with it's owner - who was skating along on rollerblades!! I have no idea how long their jaunt was, but the dog looked incredibly fit (for an english bulldog ![;) smiley for ;)](http://leerburg.com/forums/images/graemlins/default/wink.gif) ), and happy too, galloping mostly, with little breaks into a trot... talk about breaking stereotypes.
I'm with the "base it on the individual" crowd when it comes to exercise. Regardless of breed, some dogs are truly born athletes and have heaps of stamina when it comes to exercising. Some dogs totally 'look the part', but are, for one reason or another, very choosy about how they burn calories - if they enjoy it at all. Conditioning is paramount for any exercise program, and if you start slowly, you'll be able to assess any issues your dog may have with the given activity, at the same time that you're building up it's endurance.
~Natalya
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Natalya Zahn ]
#278691 - 06/04/2010 04:41 PM |
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Hey Natalya,
I too met 2 Enlish Bulldogs who were amazingly fit and athletic. We had our 2 dogs out at the beach with us and they were next to us. (everyone kind of claims a section of beach and keeps their dogs on it, it's actually quite amazing that the dogs leave each other alone and only focus on their owners even with all the sticks being thrown ![;) smiley for ;)](http://leerburg.com/forums/images/graemlins/default/wink.gif) )
Anyways, those dogs were there all day on the section next to us and they retrieved and swam all day and were no more tired than our dogs (2 huskies and a Leonberger) when we left.
BUT I have met two others (all completely unrelated by the way) who couldn't make it down the street without having some severe breathing issues
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Niomi Smith ]
#278695 - 06/04/2010 05:01 PM |
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BUT I have met two others (all completely unrelated by the way) who couldn't make it down the street without having some severe breathing issues
Yeah, I see many more english bulldogs that look like wheezing marshmallows than I do the marathon kind ![;) smiley for ;)](http://leerburg.com/forums/images/graemlins/default/wink.gif) ... makes you really contemplate the factors that combine to result in such a range of types.
~Natalya
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Re: Big dogs, running, and hips.
[Re: Natalya Zahn ]
#278715 - 06/04/2010 07:37 PM |
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Thanks folks. Good information all. Appreciate all the opinions.
My son has his yearling Border Collie mix home for about the next year, and I am researching exercise needs, etc., of various breeds from which I'll choose my pup after the BC (and son) moves on out. A couple of my choices are the Belgian Mal and Dutch Shep, so trying to get a handle ahead of time on how much and what forms of exercise will be necessary. I realize these two are almost at the top of the list in exercise requirements. Down the list a notch or so is the GSD/Boxer/Dobie. I was not aware of some of the Boxer's respiratory problems - that would be something to research with the breeders for sure.
A dog has alot of friends because he wags his tail instead of his mouth.
- Charlie Daniels |
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