What Breed likes to "RUN"

My daughter is an active runner. She does between 5 km and 10 km about 3 times a week. What breeds are good for running. She is not as committed in the winter, but she will go out in rain. I suggested a wirehaired pointer? Shepherd or border collie too hot in summer? Dobes do not like cool/rain. (yes a rescue dog would be optimal :)). She will not get a dog for a while so it's in the long term future. Any opinions?

My Lab can handle that amount of running. My neighbour's run marathon and ironman and their Lab trains with them, though obviously not for as long distances as they do.

I think your choices are good. Dalmations come to my mind first, supposedly having been bred in the first place to run alongside a coach.

I'm sure you know but for those lurkers, remember many breeders will say NO RUNNING till joints are mature and some will say not till two years old. My breeder said one year but then she knows I run on soft forest trails, not hard paved roads.

Plus, my dog is off leash though at my super fast running speed that makes little difference as he has to stay with me to keep up and has little chance to deviate and give his joints a break from the straight line. Yes, and I have some swamp land in Florida to sell if you believed the speed part but it is a consideration, in all seriousness. :)

The dog has to go out in the winter whether your daughter wants to or not. You are talking about high energy breeds that most likely won't be content with couch potato status in winter. We cross country ski and snowshoe but are lucky to live in a rural area where the dog can do this with me.

Lastly, you know what a hazard of running with your dog is? The dog gets old and has to slow down before you do. Still wants to go though. I found that stage very hard. Out for a slow one with dog, back out again for me. Guess who's run often didn't get done? Not the dog's for sure, for sure. Worth it in the meantime though, for sure, for sure. :)

My daughter realizes the importance of "exercise" I'm sure if she has a dog she will run in the winter. She takes Kinesiology right now. I never thought of the dalmation? I thought the lab had too many hip issues :( The reason I thought a wirehaired is because of the weather changes.........

I think when you have a specific use or activity you want to do with your dog is the time to consider a breeder, not rescue. Hips should not be an issue with any breed coming from a good breeder. There's no guarantee of course, that a dog with parents with excellent hips on both sides for several generations (at least 3 if you ask me) won't have hip problems. The breeder will offer compensation in some form. Not that you want money back, what you're looking for is better odds on a healthy dog. You should check out the threads on what to look for in a breeder.

Rescue? Well, you never know. Rescue an adult and it might have been spayed or neutered before the growth plates closed which is thought to have a link to orthopaedic disorders in later life. I ran with our rescued ESS with no ortho problems at all (we spayed her when we got her at age 4 though) and then when we researched a Lab for our next dog, having heard as you have that Labs are prone to hip issues, guess what I found? Hip displaysia is worse in ESS. It was then, anyway.

I should have suggested a Springer too, wonderful, merry little dogs with lots of get up and go. :) Our girl was field bred so overwhelming energy for some. As far as Dobes, I think you will find with any breed that some are wimpy in the cold and wet. I obedience train off and on with two Dobe breeders and their dogs go out, rain, snow, cold. Heat is more often the limiter, for me too.

A GWP would be a really good dog too. Lots of energy there as well.

Did you see Luckypenny's thread on running? Lots of good info there.

ETA: Elbows are going to be just as big a concern as hips.

I have a jack Russell/rat terrier mix and she is the energizer bunny! She goes for runs with my husband and then comes home and still wants to fetch. She runs like a small grey hound....gosh has she got speed and energy to boot! And with jack mixes....the energy lasts for most of their lives. Jacks aren't for everyone but this mix of breeds just seems perfect as when it's time to lay down with the family, she sure knows how to snuggle!

Cassingermany I love terriers :thumbs up I have two of them. Maybe a larger terrier would fit the picture?

Of course with my affinity for border collies I'm going to suggest them ;) They do quite well in all temperatures and weather conditions and when working on farms or at sheep dog trials they do sometimes do quite a bit of running in the heat. They also have a variety of coat types so if heat will be a big concern a smooth coat BC might be a good choice. All but one of mine are smooth and they do well in both hot and cold weather. Even the smooths have a double coat though so if they spend a lot of time outside in the colder weather they just grow a thicker undercoat.

I agree with GailP, border collies love to run, and never get tired, even when old. Ours used to follow my sons when the went four wheeling, and when she would get hot she'd lay in water in a puddle or ditch for a minute, then be ready to go again. She's almost 12 now, and still would rather run than walk.

What about a Dalmation? :shrug:

Their lineage was known as a coach dog that would run along side of wagons for hours. While 20 years ago, I wouldn't have recommended a Dalmation because of the 101 Dalmation movie, however; I would think that this fad has passed and their lines have improved since. :shrug:

My Ridgebacks looooove to run, and the great thing about these guys is that they are so lazy and calm in the house (as long as they get exercise). I would not run one until at least 18mos. My 9yr old RR/Lab cross had no problem with hard running while I bike for 7 years until he got a cruciate injury, which is common in large active dogs, and after about 4 months he was able to return to his active life and didn't have to cut back again until last month. Tons of RRs who come through rescue turn out to be great running partners. I think the best thing to do is to decide if you want large, medium, or small breed, what kind of activity level do you want besides being able to run, and what kind of personality do you want. :D

I would suggest just going to a shelter and finding a dog that suits her lifestyle which is already a bit more mature so she doesn't have to wait about a year to start running with it (so the joints are fully developed). Also a lighter coloured dog who is sun and snow tolerant will be good. Something with a short double coat for insulation may be more suitable. Rhodesian ridgeback dogs are also known for their endurance and temperature tolerance, but there are several health issues with the breed.