Well known as guard dogs, Dobermans are awesome high-energy companions. However, these muscular working canines need a lot of exercise. That’s why sports can be very interesting to keep them fit, healthy, and happy. Have you ever thought about running with your Dobie?
Well, that could be an excellent idea to provide him with all the physical activity he needs. With his long legs and muscular body, your energetic dog can run very fast. However, endurance runners might wonder: Can Dobermans run long distances?
Yes, Dobermans can run exceptionally fast over long distances. With their level of energy, good stamina, and impressive speed, they are excellent running partners! Well trained, your Dobie could run long distances (+5 miles) at a relatively rapid pace. These working dogs have perfect physical conditions and running skills to keep up with fast endurance runners!
Exercise Needs Of Dobermans!
The Doberman Pinscher has limitless energy to spend every day. If you only use this breed as a guard, you will need to find some ways to exercise your dog. That’s why running with him is ideal to spend his extra energy!
Dogs will need both physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy and to avoid boredom. Just like for humans, sports are awesome to keep them active and in good shape. However, the exercise requirement will vary a lot from one breed to another!
Most Dobermans will need at least 1 or 2 hours of daily exercise. In this period of time, around 30 to 60 minutes should be more intense than moderate physical activity. As high-energy companions, it’s not surprising that they need so much time to workout!
There are many different ways to exercise your Dobie. For example, you could take him for around 60 to 90 minutes of walking and do other lower energy activities together. Then, you should also try more intense sports such as running, biking, or swimming to meet your dog’s exercise needs!
Are Dobermans Suitable To Run?
Now that you know how much exercise your buddy needs, it’s time to take action. Starting to run with your Doberman is very simple, accessible, and good for both of you. That’s why any active person should seriously consider running with their companion!
Unfortunately, not every dog is suitable for intense canine sports. Even high-energy and athletic animals like Dobies could have issues with running. How can that be possible? Let me share with you the main elements that make a dog suitable to run!
Breed.
As you probably notice quickly, Dobermans are natural runners full of energy. However, some dog breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, or Basset Hounds are simply not well suited to run. Therefore, it’s really important to know the standard athletic skills of your buddy’s breed well to exercise him properly!
For Dobermans, the breed isn’t a problem at all. Furthermore, their energy, strength, and stamina make them excellent running partners. They are also often used to enjoy other dog sports because of their speed and athleticism!
Health.
Most runners mistakenly assume their companion is alright to go on trails because he seems in good shape. But just like humans, dogs can’t do intense physical activity without good health conditions. Fortunately, we have the ultimate control of their nutrition and exercise regimen to prepare them for running!
In other words, it’s your responsibility to provide your Dobie with healthy habits. Even so, your buddy could still suffer from health issues for other reasons than his lifestyle. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to take your dog to the vet before running. Expert analysis is always the best solution to have clear answers!
Unfortunately, Dobermans are susceptible to some health problems or physical conditions that could restrict them from running. Like many active breeds, they could suffer from hip dysplasia or other joint issues. These kinds of structural issues could hurt your Dobie or be dangerous for him if he does any type of intense physical effort!
Weight.
First off, you shouldn’t run with an overweight dog. Even if it seems like the ideal solution to get him fit, high-impact sports could cause him serious pain or injuries. In addition, lower-intensity physical activity would be more fun and convenient for both of you! To let you know, the Doberman’s ideal weight is between 50 lbs and 90 lbs. However, this dog breed generally doesn’t have weight problems, so don’t be too scared about this consideration!
Injury.
Obviously, you shouldn’t do any intense exercise with your companion if he’s injured. Furthermore, it’s also important to give him a lot of time to fully recover from his injury. After the «Go» from your vet, you can help your Dobbie to get back in shape and make him ready to run again!
Age.
Puppies and senior dogs aren’t suitable to run. For the safety of your Doberman, you must consider his age before taking him on trails. If he’s very young or old, he’s probably too fragile to enjoy intense doggie sports. The sooner you can start running with your pup is generally around 1 year of age. Then, after ~ 7 years old, it might be time to find lower-intensity activities to enjoy with your Dobie!
Running Skills.
People give too much importance to this element because it’s a good excuse. Maybe your dog is not extremely fast, strong, and athletic, but he’s definitely able to trot a few miles. Then, you can improve his running skills if he’s suitable for this type of intense physical activity!
Moreover, Dobermans are excellent runners that can beat the fastest human on earth. With that said, you probably have no reason not to start running with your dog!
Overall.
In general, you can see very fast if your buddy is suitable or not to run safely. Almost all healthy Dobies should be well-suited and love to go on trails with their owner. Finally, the best way to know your dog’s running capacities is to test them. If he can jog 1 mile or kilometer easily, he’s certainly able to improve his stamina with training and practice!
Can Dobermans Run Long Distances?
Even if your companion is suitable for intense physical activity, it doesn’t mean he can run for a long time. It’s at this moment that your dog’s endurance and athleticism become very important. Every animal can improve his speed, strength, stamina, and running skills but they all have different limits!
For example, Chihuahuas can be relatively good jogging partners. However, they will rarely be able to run more than 2 or 3 miles. Luckily for you, Dobermans have very flexible limits. Most of them will be suitable to run long distances very fast and quite easily!
To answer the question, Dobermans can definitely run long distances! Actually, they are among the best dog breeds for endurance runners. Only a few of them won’t be suitable for constant effort over long periods of time generally because of poor health conditions. Thus, let me share with you what makes them suitable to run farther, longer, and faster than most other dogs!
Stamina.
Above all, this is the most important quality to be good at endurance running. Obviously, this isn’t innate for all dogs but it can be improved with training. Dobermans love vigorous and intense physical activity such as long-distance running. After some practice to build up stamina, you will both be awesome endurance runners!
Speed.
As you can easily notice, dogs are rarely slower than humans. Just to give you an idea, Dobies can run faster than Usain Bolt (The fastest human being). Their long and muscular legs, solid structure, and powerful burst can make them very fast runners!
Strength.
These athletics furballs have an impressive musculature. This can explain why they are so fast and tough running companions. As guard dogs, they can also be ideal to make you feel safe and protected while you run. Dobies are strong enough to keep up and motivate their owner to run faster and longer!
Experience.
Don’t start too quickly with too long distances. Stamina, strength, and speed are things that will take time to develop. The more you run with your buddy, the better runner he will be. At the start, it’s essential to respect your companion’s limits. Therefore, take your time to build up experience together for endurance running!
Finally, Dobermans are built to run long distances at a rapid pace. They are a great choice for active people and will make excellent partners to improve your performance on trails. If you’re an advanced endurance runner, you will certainly love to run pretty much as fast and far as you want with this type of dog
Are Dobermans Good Running Partners?
If it wasn’t clear enough for you yet, this dog breed is awesome to run with. Their speed and stamina make them good partners for both short and long distances. Fast, powerful, smart, and tough, they can be great at nearly any type of canine sport. Even if they aren’t well known for this purpose, Dobermans make excellent and protective running companions!
They Can Run In Hot Temperatures.
Running over long distances in extreme weather isn’t safe for most dogs. However, some breeds can withstand the heat better than others. Even if they have a black coat, Dobermans are well-suited to run in hot climates.
Do you live in a country where the temperature often goes over 75°F (24°C)? Well, Dobies are among the rare companions to withstand this type of weather while running. On the other hand, you still need to ensure hydrate your dog properly and take regular breaks to prevent him from overheating!
How Far (and Fast) Can Dobermans Run?
That’s an interesting question because determining what type of distance is long will vary according to your perception. For example, Wikipedia considers more than 1.8 miles (3 km) as endurance running. If it was so simple, nearly all dogs would be suitable to run long distances!
In my opinion, more than 3.1 miles or 5 km would be more accurate to differentiate short from long distances running. Then, good endurance runners should be able to 5 miles (8 km) or more without too much effort!
Fortunately, healthy Dobermans are suitable to run anywhere from 3 to 10 miles (5 to 16 km). Furthermore, some very active and advanced furry athletes could even keep up running for a little longer distance with good training. Thus, the length of the trails you want to take your buddy on shouldn’t be an issue for most dog owners of this breed!
Learn more about how far dogs can run!
That’s very impressive to see how fast and far they can run. Actually, Dobermans are among the fastest dog breeds. They can run up to 35 miles per hour (56.3 km/h) principally because of their long, muscular legs. Nonetheless, that’s not so surprising for such great guard, police, and military working dogs!
Preparation For Endurance Running With Your Doberman!
Preparation is the key to run long distances with your dog. Even if he’s active and athletic, he can not be ready for endurance running without proper training. On the contrary, your buddy might need physical conditioning good to be an excellent long-distance jogging partner. Thus, here are some ways to prepare your Doberman physically and mentally to perform well on long trails!
Socialization:
If your puppy is too young to run, you should encourage him to explore the world. Without proper socialization, your Dobie could suffer from stress or anxiety while running. That’s why you should expose him to loud noises, other animals, strangers, water, etc.
Physical Conditioning:
Obviously, you need to prepare your dog to be in good shape for endurance running. The goal isn’t to push your companion’s limits, you don’t want to put his well-being at stake. Instead, you can slowly but surely improve both your strength and stamina. That’s why proper exercising and good nutrition are essential to prepare your pup to run long distances!
How to Start Running With Your Dog?
Once you know your dog is suitable for intense physical activity, make sure to start running the right way. There are many ways to teach him how to run properly. However, simple and gradual methods are normally more efficient. Just make sure your Doberman master basic running skills before considering to try longer distances together!
You don’t know where to get started? First of all, your dog must master loose leash walking before teaching him how to run. Then, you can slowly start to alternate walking with jogging over short distances. After some practice, your buddy should be ready to on trails for his first official running session!
Similar Questions About Running With Your Doberman!
Now that you know Dobermans can run long distances, you probably have other concerns related to this topic. To enjoy this intense sport safely, there are several things you should know. Thus, let me share with you some recurrent beginner questions about running with your Dob!
When Can You Start Running Long Distances With Your Dobie Puppy?
Unfortunately, young pups aren’t suitable to run because they are still growing. Dobermans can take up to 2 or 3 years before being fully grown. However, most Dobermans stop their major development phase after 12 months. Therefore, you can normally start running with your puppy when he’s one year old. For endurance running (+5 miles or 8 km), you better wait until he reaches 2 or 3 years of age to avoid injuries or growth issues!
What Temperature Is Too Cold or Hot To Run With Your Dog?
Doing some physical activity in extreme temperatures can be bad even for resilient companions. To give you an idea, Dobermans should be able to run short distances in hot weathers up to 80-85°F (27-29°C) depending on the humidity level. Well-suited for extreme heat, this short-coated breed won’t be comfortable outside if it’s colder than 40-45°F (4-7°C)!
When It’s The Best Time To Hit The Trails?
The best time to run is generally in the morning because the temperature is cooler. Moreover spending your Doberman’s energy before going to work might prevent him from getting bored or developing destructive behaviors. However, the right time to exercise with your dog will also depend on your schedule, preferences, and many other personal elements.
Thus, the best time is generally early in the morning or late in the evening. Furthermore, dogs love routines so it’s highly recommended to choose an assigned time to run together and stick with it!
What Gear That You Need To Run Long Distances With Your Doberman?
Running with your dog isn’t especially complicated or expensive. That’s why it’s an accessible sport that pretty much anybody can enjoy. With some water, snacks, running shoes, waste bags, a leash, a collar, and a portable bowl, you should be alright to get started.
However, endurance running might require more gear and accessories such as a backpack, hand-free leash, dog harness, or other optional equipment to make your adventure on trails as safe and convenient as possible!
Last Thoughts About Endurance Running With Dobermans!
To conclude, Pinscher Dobermans can run very long distances probably faster than you do. Active, protective, strong, and very intelligent they are amazing companions to have. With all those qualities, this breed can make excellent endurance running partners for any type of athlete.
Now, I genuinely wish you to enjoy as much physical activity as possible with your buddy. Think about it, running with your Dobie might be an excellent way to exercise together and improve your quality of life. Don’t forget to have fun and be safe. I hope to see you on trails!
