Running with Dogs
If you’re a woman, or just a bloke who gets nervous running alone, there can be no better way to get out there and enjoy your running than to run with a dog. It doesn’t even have to be your own dog – you can borrow one from a friend or neighbour!
Bear in mind that dog breeds vary widely in their abilities to run: yorkies, dachsunds and miniature poodles don’t have much stamina and are all low to the ground, which means uneven terrain is hard on their little legs. Boxers and bull terriers love to sprint but soon have problems with long slow runs; their big chests tend to mean they are carrying a lot of weight at the front and that gets tiring. A whippet, greyhound or lurcher will outrun you, no matter how far you run or how fast you do it.
Remember also that your dog needs hydration just as you do. You can get fold-up water bowls to give you dog a drink from en route, or plan your run to pass streams or lakes. A dog, unlike you, will generally go hell for leather, which means you need to check their feet regularly for cuts, cracks, or burrs trapped between the pads. Hot pavements can burn a dog’s feet so you need to ensure you run early in the morning or in the evening when the heat has dissipated from the ground. Check with the palm of your hand – pavements often hold much more heat than we realise.
If running with a dog on a lead, make sure you can clip it to your waist pack or secure it to your leggings in some way so that you have both arms free.
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