How much is OK to run with a Labrador? (Read 8532 times)

Hello Friends, I am new to RA, so probably this topic has been discussed. I have a 5 yo labrador retriever. Since last year I started running, I trained with him. After a year he is very very capable of running 10 miles with me (only if it is cold). It takes him about 3 days to recover from that... My question is how much should I run with him......? I would appreciate your advice. Thanks tons G

Gaby, I would be VERY careful and err on the side of caution, especially when it's warm and with a long-haired breed. If it takes him 3 days to recover I would say that's too much. My dogs usually are back to normal (not panting) in an hour or so, they are shorthairs (Dobies) Dogs are so loyal that they will follow you until they drop. Our Laika once was running with my wife and collapsed, then after a minute acted like she was fine. Turned out she had a very bad heart condition (cardiomyopathy) and must have been hurting really badly. We "retired" her from running and she unfortunately died soon after. My point is, don't expect your dog to say "enough", you have to look for signs of fatigue or overheating. FYI here in Georgia in the summer we limit our dogs to about a mile.

I had a black lab and I would run with him during the summer. Usually in the early morning or late at night depending on the temp. I also never took him on a run longer than 6 miles. I also built him up to that distance. Just like humans need to build up the distance they run, dogs do has well. My suggestion take your dog on your easy runs or shorter runs. The recovery should be better for the dog. Plus tell me how you deal with the poo factor never thought of a way to carry and run . So we ran on gravel and trials so he could use the tree and I did not have to carry the poo.

Hello Friends, I am new to RA, so probably this topic has been discussed. I have a 5 yo labrador retriever. Since last year I started running, I trained with him. After a year he is very very capable of running 10 miles with me (only if it is cold). It takes him about 3 days to recover from that... My question is how much should I run with him......? I would appreciate your advice. Thanks tons G

I run with my black lab several times a week, and he loves it! He gets pretty upset on the days that I go without him and barks for several minutes when I leave (at least he does according to my DH). But I don't take him any farther than 5-6 miles, and if it's above 65 degrees with high humidity he has to stay home. So in the winter he can run any time of day but in the summer we go before the sun comes up. If your dog is taking 3 days to recover, I think you're letting him do too much. My dog is back to normal after 30 minutes to an hour. And if I let him, he would run until he collapsed. It would be a good idea to check with your vet about how far and how often you take your dog, to make sure he doesn't have any medical problems. Have fun running with your lab - they're great company

Gaby, I would be VERY careful and err on the side of caution, especially when it's warm and with a long-haired breed. If it takes him 3 days to recover I would say that's too much. My dogs usually are back to normal (not panting) in an hour or so, they are shorthairs (Dobies) Dogs are so loyal that they will follow you until they drop. Our Laika once was running with my wife and collapsed, then after a minute acted like she was fine. Turned out she had a very bad heart condition (cardiomyopathy) and must have been hurting really badly. We "retired" her from running and she unfortunately died soon after. My point is, don't expect your dog to say "enough", you have to look for signs of fatigue or overheating. FYI here in Georgia in the summer we limit our dogs to about a mile.

Sorry about Laika, yep I think 10 mi is too much. He is done with that distance, I will take him only 6 mi max. thanks tons

I run with my black lab several times a week, and he loves it! He gets pretty upset on the days that I go without him and barks for several minutes when I leave (at least he does according to my DH). But I don't take him any farther than 5-6 miles, and if it's above 65 degrees with high humidity he has to stay home. So in the winter he can run any time of day but in the summer we go before the sun comes up. If your dog is taking 3 days to recover, I think you're letting him do too much. My dog is back to normal after 30 minutes to an hour. And if I let him, he would run until he collapsed. It would be a good idea to check with your vet about how far and how often you take your dog, to make sure he doesn't have any medical problems. Have fun running with your lab - they're great company

Yep, it is going to be 5-6 mi max for him now! thanks

Sorry about Laika, yep I think 10 mi is too much. He is done with that distance, I will take him only 6 mi max. thanks tons

She was a good dog, we named her after Laika, the dog launched into space by the USSR in 1957. They did not yet have the technology to recover the spacecraft but launched her anyway, knowing she would not survive.