Born to Run: 12 of the Best Canine Companions to Run With
If you’re looking for a canine workout partner, look no further than these 12 dogs that were born to run. (And look first at your local shelter or rescue organization for a breed or breed mix that loves to run).Before you start exercising with your dog, have your veterinarian check him out to ensure he’s in good enough condition to run with you.
Always keep an eye on your dog for signs of extreme fatigue, limping, excessive panting, leaving sides, and other signs she’s overdoing it.
Don’t push your luck by running in extreme heat, cold, or high humidity; when the air quality is poor; or where road conditions are hazardous.
12 Dog Breeds That Were Born to Run
Jack Russell Terrier
Small in body but with oodles of energy to burn, the Jack Russell can
run for surprisingly long intervals. And he’s fast, reaching speeds up
to 25 mph in short bursts.
Brittany Spaniel
The blazing fast Brittany is often called “the breeze.” She’s a
medium-size sporting dog with high energy and a light build perfect for
running.
Dalmatian
Dalmatians were actually bred to run alongside carriages and
horseback riders, so a love of running side-by-side with their humans is
in their genes.
Greyhound
With their long legs and sleek bodies, Greyhounds are built for speed
and have been clocked at 45 mph. In between energetic bursts of
speed-running, Greyhounds can be found napping on the couch.
Whippet
The Whippet is thought to be a blend of Greyhound, Italian Greyhound,
and terrier. With that lineage, it’s no wonder they’re sometimes called
“the poor man’s racehorse.” Believe it or not, a Whippet can run 200
yards in under 12 seconds!
German Shorthaired Pointer
This breed is athletic, with tremendous endurance, and those muscular
hindquarters are custom-built for running. Since he requires exercise
every day, he’s the perfect companion for a long run or bike ride.
Standard Poodle
Don’t let the hairdo fool you – the Standard Poodle is loaded with
energy and was originally bred as a gun dog and water retriever, making
her an excellent partner for long runs.
Australian Cattle Dog
This dog was bred to herd livestock on ranches in Australia, so a
love of running is in her blood. She can go for miles, and she doesn’t
like to skip a day, so she’s an excellent choice if you need occasional
prodding to lace up your running shoes.
Airedale Terrier
Airedales do well in hotter climates thanks to their short, wiry
coats. This isn’t a large or heavily muscled dog, so shorter runs (10K
or less) are well suited to his energy level and stamina.
Border Collie
Better known for their incredible intelligence and skill at flyball
and agility events, Border Collies are also great runners and have been
clocked at speeds up to 30 mph.
Weimaraner
The agile “grey ghost” is adaptable to all types of running. She
excels at short, quick bursts of speed and can cover long distances just
as easily. Her short coat makes running in warm weather a breeze, and
she’s also confident on rough terrain and trails.
Siberian Husky
If you live in a cold climate, a Husky is the perfect running
companion. This dog was bred to pull sleds, so endurance running is in
his blood.
Sources and References
Dr. Becker is the resident proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian of HealthyPets.Mercola.com. You can learn holistic ways of preventing illness in your pets by subscribing to HealthyPets.Mercola.com, an online resource for animal lovers. For more pet care tips, subscribe for FREE to Mercola Healthy Pet Newsletter.
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