Are you serious about starting canicross with your dog? I’m also interested in this sport to exercise my buddy. Like me, you probably have a lot of questions in your mind. Can your dog do canicross? What gear would you need to get started?… These are very good wondering to enjoy running safely, and I did some research to help you answer them. Maybe you don’t have a dog yet, but looking at adopting one to canicross. Whatever case you are in, follow your reading to find what are the best dog breeds for canicross!
All active, healthy, and sporting dog breeds are suitable for canicross. Without any health issues, your pooch can probably start enjoying this intense sport. The best dog breeds for canicross are Weimaraners, Vizslas, Border Collies, Airedale Terriers, and many other ones. Their energy and athleticism make them ideal running partners!
Let’s see if your buddy is part one of the top 10 best dog breeds for canicross!
- Weimaraners.
- Vizslas.
- Border Collies.
- Airedale Terriers.
- Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
- Australian Shepherds.
- Dalmatians.
- Belgian Malinois or German Shepherds.
- Labrador and Golden Retrievers.
- Alberian Malamutes or Siberian Huskies.
What Makes Your Dog Good For Canicross Running?
If you don’t know if you can run with your dog, there’s some information that needs to be analyzed. Canicross is not only for dog breeds I mentioned earlier. With a few exceptions, every dog can start to do canicross. You simply need to adapt the sport to your furry friend’s limits and conditions. Later in this blog post, I will share with you which types of dogs can’t exercise with canicross safely. Let’s start by looking at what makes a good canicross dog!
Breed.
As you will see in this article, the dog breed is usually important for canicross. This factor helps you understand a lot about a dog’s personality. When I started doing a little bit of research on the origin of my Labrador, I found plenty of interesting information.
By researching common traits about your dog’s breed, you can find useful information. However, it’s way more effective to analyze more specific aspects of your buddy. Let’s dive into what makes a dog suitable for running with you!
Size.
A good dog for canicross should be medium-sized. Those with very short legs won’t be able to follow your pace. Other pooches with ultra-long legs can also be tough to run with. However, there are some exceptions like Jack Russells can be good for running, but not the best for canicross.
Your dog shouldn’t be overweight to run with you. The first reason is the risks of putting extra strain on their joints. Canicrossing with a heavy dog could cause him pain or even injuries. Moreover, he could have issues regulating his temperature or breathing well. Therefore, make sure your companion is the right size to run with you!
Physical Traits. (Coat, Nose, etc.)
Some physical or genetic aspects of your furball can be bad for canicrossing. For example, dogs need to cool themselves by panting when they do physical activity. Some breeds such as Bulldogs, Boxers or Pugs aren’t good canicross companions because of their short noses. With the brachycephalic syndrome a respiratory issue, it will be difficult for them to do intense activity safely!
You need to make serious research to be 100% sure that your pooch has any physical restrictions. Another example would be that some breeds are very good sled or canicross dogs but have issues with hot temperatures. Some dogs (like Huskies) are better for a cooler environment because of their double-coated. Just in case you didn’t know, you can’t just shave most of these types of breeds because it can be bad for their health!
Solid Structure.
This is a very important aspect to find one of the best dogs for canicross. How can your dog have a good structure? The structure is simply how his tissues and skeleton is put together. If your dog has significant structural issues (hip/elbow dysplasia, arthritis or back problems) he shouldn’t run. To see it, visiting your vet is an excellent solution! (Dogs with fragile structures should try swimming to exercise safely!)
Energy.
Canicross is a very intense dog sport, so your furry partner needs to have a high level of energy to enjoy it. If your dog doesn’t like to run a lot and needs some motivation to play with you, canicross could be very difficult to start. Therefore, energic dogs are more likely to be good running partners!
Desire.
Even if your buddy has a lot of energy to spend, he could have no desire to run. It’s really important to find a sport that both the owner and dog enjoy. Besides, there’s plenty of other ways to have fun with your dog. So please don’t push your companion to do a sport he doesn’t like!
Trainability.
If you can’t teach your dog simple commands, it will be very tough to canicross. His trainability should be at least OK to understand basic obedience training. There aren’t a lot of commands you need to teach your dog to run with him. However, you need some capacity to lead him well to avoid unnecessary risks of injury. In other words, canicross is not extremely complicated, but your dog needs to learn some basic techniques to get started!
Your Goals.
All the previous information was pretty much general. Keep in mind that every dog is different, so you need to know your companion well. This part of picking a good dog for canicross is the most important. Your goals will vary a lot with your health, your level of fitness and much more. If you have clear goals, you will find the right dog to run with you. You already got a dog? Find goals that will help you to improve together!
What Are The Best Dog Breeds For Canicross?
If you’re looking for the best dog breed to run with you, be aware! Maybe you look for a competitive canicross companion or a partner to get in better shape with. The truth is that there are a lot of canine breeds you can canicross or run with. Here are the best dog breeds I found to enjoy canicrossing!
1. Weimaraners.
This dog breed is designed to be an athlete. They can run fast and for a long time because of their speed and stamina. Weimaraners need a lot of exercise and canicross can make them spend their energy. In other words, this is the perfect running partner for any kind of distance that can tolerate heat very well. It’s an excellent choice for active people that want to start canicross!
2. Vizslas.
These balls of energy can be very interesting for runners. This is normally a dog breed for bird hunting, but it’s also an amazing sporting dog. Vizslas can be good canicross partners because of their excellent endurance and speed. This is one of the best dog breeds for long trail runs. Moreover, they are very fast and good in the heat. If you choose these awesome dogs for running, be prepared for daily exercise!
3. Border Collies.
This dog breed is one of the smartest. If you are an active person and you would like to try a ton of activities with your dog, you should consider choosing a Border Collie. This breed is extremely agile and good at any kind of dog sport such as agility or Frisbee. Border collies are also very easy to train. Furthermore, they can tolerate both hot and cold temperatures while running. Overall, this dog breed is an excellent choice for canicross!
4. Airedale Terriers.
This dog breed is considered to be one of the strongest. Airedale loves to run and could be trained easily because of their obedience. Besides, they are active, tough and very intelligent dogs. Their relatively smaller size makes them better short distance runners (less than 5 Miles or 8 Km). This docile dog breed can be very interesting to enjoy canicross!
5. Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
You should be aware that this dog breed was originally used to hunt lions in Africa. Their large and muscular bodies can explain this unusual utility. Nowadays, these dogs are famous for their athleticism and endurance. Nonetheless, you will need to wait until fully grown (around 2 years) to start running with them. Overall, Rhodesian ridgebacks are very likely to be good canicross partners for long runs and warmer temperatures!
6. Australian Shepherds.
Similar to Border Collies, these dogs are very agile and athletic. They also enjoy long and challenging runs to spend their energy. However, you should be careful not to bring them on long runs when the temperature is especially hot. On the other hand, their coats make them very good running companions in cooler temperatures. If you’re looking for a loyal, smart and energetic dog for canicross, they can be an awesome choice!
7. Dalmatians.
These firehouse dogs aren’t known as good runners, but they are. They will also need a lot of exercise to stay active and healthy. Sports like canicross can be a great way to keep them in good health. Dalmatians can be a good protective breed to jog especially long distances with you!
8. Belgian Malinois or German Shepherds.
These are very talented dogs. This breed is normally well-known for its ability to work hard and their amazing personality. These intelligent dogs can be very obedient if they are well-trained. German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois can be much more than good canicross companions!
9. Labrador and Golden Retrievers.
This perfect adventure partner is very popular for many things. For example, they are one of the best family dogs to have. I own one named “Marshmallow” and I love her so much! She’s very active and perfect for sprint workout or medium distance (less than 10 km) like any healthy Labrador or Golden Retriever. These breeds are very likely to be good running or canicrossing dogs! (I approve!)
10. Alberian Malamutes or Siberian Huskies.
If you are in a cooler climate, they can be very interesting running partners. As sled dogs, it’s in their nature to run in the snow. With these athletic furballs, you can run ultra-long distances without making them tired. They love to pull and run fast, so it’s ideal for advanced cross country runners. Even so, the only problem is that they don’t tolerate hot weather because of their thick coat. You live in a cold climate and you’re looking for a canicross or mushing dog? Huskies and Malamutes are great options for you!
Other Dog Breeds Among The Best For Canicross!
Here are some other great running dogs:
- German Shorthaired Pointers.
- Sighthounds.
- Poodles.
- Whippets.
- Belgian Malinois.
- Fox Terriers. (Just For Running)
- Etc.
Breeds To Be Careful With.
Don’t run regularly with them:
- Boxers.
- Pit Bulls.
- Bull terriers.
- Etc.
Don’t run long distances with these dog breeds:
- Bulldogs.
- Pugs.
- Dachshunds.
- Corgis.
- Etc.
Can All Dog Breeds Canicross?
Almost any dog can run with his owner. Nonetheless, there are some risks of running that you should be aware of. That’s why it’s always important to respect your dog’s conditions. Here are 5 things to know before to start canicross!
Puppies or Senior Dogs.
Canicross can be bad for your dog if he’s not fully grown or too old. It’s very important to make sure your buddy can practice this intense dog sport safely!
Dogs With Breathing Issues.
If your dog has any kind of respiratory issue, don’t do intense sport. Canicross can be bad if he can’t breathe well to regulate its temperature. That will make your furball more prone to over-exercising, over-heating or simply not able to keep up with you!
Injured Dogs.
If your buddy isn’t fully recovered from an injury, canicross isn’t a good idea. You could hurt him and increase the risk of re-injury. As I told you at the beginning of this article, this sport is better for dogs with solid structure!
Don’t Run In Hot Temperatures!
Another thing you should be careful with is the temperature when you run with your dog. Even if some dog breeds tolerate a warm environment, running when it’s too hot isn’t good. That’s why you should avoid canicross when the temperature is extremely hot or cold!
Must-Have For Canicross Beginners!
To start a new dog sport, you need to have adapted gear. Mushing activities are relatively complicated to start because it requires special techniques and equipment. However, with some patience, hard work, and regular training, everyone can dot it. Here’s the gear that you will need to start canicrossing with your dog!
- Canicross Harness.
- Adapted Leash.
- Body Harness or Belt. (For You)
- Other Optional Equipment.
Learn more things to do or not to run safely with your Dog!
Here a good article about canicross on the K9 of Mine blog! [Link Open In a New Tab]
Last Thoughts About The Best Dog Breeds For Canicross Running!
Running with your dog can be extremely fun and good exercise. However, you must be well-prepared to enjoy regular jogs with your furball. Whether it’s with the right gear, good obedience training or physical conditioning, it’s essential for intense sports. To avoid most risks while you enjoy canicross with your dog, there are many things to know. Even so, I’m sure that you will both have a lot of fun exercising together!
To conclude, there’s a lot of dog breeds suitable for canicross. I hope my top 10 dogs for runners help you. If your dog wasn’t on the list, you can always look at what makes a good canicross dog. You could find that your dog can be a good runner. Have a good time with your dog learning and enjoying canicross!
