For Active.com
About fifteen years ago there were several local crimes that made my husband start to worry about me doing trail runs by myself. His first suggestion was that he buy me a small gun to carry in my fanny pack. He thought I could attend gun safety classes to learn how to use the gun correctly and therefore be saferrunning solo on the trails.
I listened to his concerns and then I said, "If I carry a gun I'm concerned that I'll shoot myself in the butt, foot or back with the thing. I know they have safety locks, but shooting myself accidentally while running worries me. Additionally, I'm worried that the perpetrator will take the gun from me and then use it to harm me."
After more discussion on the gun issues, my husband suggested that instead of a gun we needed to get a dog. This dog would be my running partner year-round. We theorized that someone looking to grab a woman might leave her alone if she was running with a dog, and look for a different victim.
The decision to get a dog was made 15 years ago and I've loved nearly every minute of running with one.
My first dog actually did keep me safe from a potential assault. Plus, there have been about two or three other incidents, when we've crossed paths with creepy people, and I just felt safer with the dog.
In addition to feeling safer, I love to watch dogs run. They are natural athletes and few animals have more fun running than dogs.
Okay, a dog it is; but what kind of dog would make a good canine running buddy? Below is a list of things to consider when looking for not only the best dog for running, but the best dog for you.
1) Where will the dog live? If the dog will live primarily outside and you live in a climate that can be very hot or very cold, select the fur of your dog accordingly. A dog like a Dalmatian or Vizsla that has a short, light coat will not be comfortable living outside in a snowy climate.
2) Does it matter to you how much the dog sheds? Some dogs have short coats, but the coat may be thick with an undercoat. Dogs that shed a lot and live indoors require grooming. Your house will require more cleaning as well.
3) Do you expect the dog to run long distances? Like people, some dogs are sprinters and love to run fast; but then they want a good amount of rest before going again. Small dogs with short legs and thick coats will not make good companions for long runs.
4) Will you want the dog to run in cold or hot conditions? The breeds used as Alaskan sled dogs (examples include the malamutes, huskies and seppalas) are fantastic endurance runners. Their coats are perfect forrunning in cold conditions and they are happy living primarily outdoors. They would not, however, be the best choice for athletes living in hot locations or for those wanting to minimize shedding or keep their dogs indoors.
5) Do you want a dog that is compatible with kids or other pets?Some breeds tend to be more tolerant of kids being in their faces and pulling on their fur. While there are no hard-and-fast rules about every single dog within a particular breed, some breeds are known for being more tolerant than others.
6) Is it important that your dog is protective? Do you want a dog that is capable of attacking someone that confronts you on your run or enters your home uninvited? Some breeds are known for being more bold and protective than other breeds. That said, many "sweet" dogs can be aggressive if the situation becomes threatening.
7) Does the dog need to have a high, medium or low natural activity level? If you select a high-activity dog, and only plan to run with it for 30 minutes twice per week, then this dog will need something else to do with all that free time. Additional walks or a job such as lure coursing (a sport for dogs in which they chase a lure) will need to be included for high-activity dogs. If you don't keep these dogs busy, they are more likely to be destructive.
8) Is swimming important? Do you want a dog that enjoys swimming? Some breeds love the water and naturally enjoy swimming. The sporting dogs that hunt birds are in this category. Other dog breeds aren't much interested in swimming, though there are exceptions in every breed.
9) Do you want a dog that is more trainable and obedient? Labradors and golden retrievers are well-known for their easy going personalities and general desire to please humans. Other breeds are more independent and may be more interested in doing something else. For example foxhounds, coonhounds and Rhodesian ridgebacks are dogs stimulated by scents and sights (like squirrels, bunnies and cats). It might be more interesting to chase a cat than to run with you or listen to your voice commands.
10) Do you have allergies? Some dog breeds—such as the standard poodle and the labradoodle—are more easily tolerated by people who suffer from allergies.
11) Do you prefer a small, medium or large dog? This preference may be tempered by your living situation. You might prefer to have three large dogs; but you live in a one-bedroom apartment in the city. These three large dogs would be better suited for a living situation that has a yard and plenty of room to exercise.
In addition to these questions, there are several online questionnaires that can help you decide what dog would be best for you. I suggest filling out a few of these as each one asks slightly different questions. You can also ask other athletes about their canine running partners.
Once you have the characteristics of several breeds of dogs that would fit well into your family, consider adopting a running dog from the local Humane Society. The Humane Society can usually give you a good idea of the breed mix of your pup. Some of the mixed breed dogs make outstanding running partners. If you prefer a specific breed, consider looking for a rescue program for that breed.
Fall and spring are the times when most dogs are having litters, and when puppies are usually available for adoption. Just remind yourself that cute puppies turn into bigger dogs and come with commitments. If you are ready to take on the time and responsibility to train and care for a dog, you might find the best running partner you've ever had.
Finally, I asked my friends, and friends of friends, which dogs they like to run with. Here is a list of their favorite running dogs:
- Airedale Terrier
- Alaskan Malamute
- Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie and Labrador Retriever mix
- Boxer
- Dalmation
- English Springer Spaniel
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Labradoodle
- Labrador Retriever
- Labrador and Golden Retriever mix
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Siberian Husky
- Standard Poodle
- Vizsla
- Weimaraner
- Whippet
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Gale Bernhardt was the USA Triathlon team coach at the 2003 Pan American Games and 2004 Athens Olympics. Her first Olympic experience was as a personal cycling coach at the 2000 Games in Sydney. She currently serves as one of the World Cup coaches for the International Triathlon Union's Sport Development Team. Thousands of athletes have had successful training and racing experiences using Gale's pre-built, easy-to-follow cycling and triathlon training plans. Let Gale and Active Trainer help you succeed.
