Running with your dog can be a very fun activity. Nonetheless, it’s important to know that not every pup can run safely with his owner. Your dog’s age will affect his ability to run without risk of injuries or health issues. When you start running too soon with your puppy, it can be very bad and dangerous for him!
When my Labrador was very young, was full of energy. Running around the house wasn’t a problem for her. Then I wonder if more serious jogging can be dangerous for her. Let’s see at what age your dog can start more intense activities like running with you!
You have to wait until your dog is fully grown to run safely with him! Some people say that the earliest you can start running with your pup is around 8 to 12 months of age. At this time, you can only introduce your dog to very short and slow jogs. The safest age to start running with your dog is after one year or more for bigger breeds!
Your puppy also needs to be in good health and to have relatively interesting athletic conditions. If you’re not careful, you will expose your dog to the risk of permanent damage and other serious injuries or issues!
I recently saw a dog owner run with his young and fragile puppy. After that, I directly started my research and found when it’s the right time to enjoy runs with a pup. This wasn’t very surprising that young dogs aren’t suitable for running. Here’s everything that you need to know about how soon you can start running with your puppy!
What Age or When Can Dogs Start Running With You?
To start a sport like this one, you need to consider your dog’s conditions. His age is very important, but there are other crucial aspects to look at. His breed, health, energy, and other elements will change when your puppy is ready to run with you. Moreover, some dog breeds can start running earlier than others. It all depends on how long they take to be fully grown and able to start more intense training!
All dogs over one year are considered adults, but running can still be dangerous for them. What you need to look at is when their bones stop developing. Puppies have the age to run when they are fully grown!
How Can You Know When Your Dog Is Ready To Run?
The breed is the most effective way to have a good idea when your buddy can run. Theoretically, most dog breeds are fully grown after one year of age. For bigger dogs, their growth can continue up to more than two years. Here’s the right age to start jogging with your puppy depending on the size of the breeds! (Most popular ones suitable for running.)
Small Breeds: 6 to 8 Months of Age!
They can grow very fast because of their smaller size and bones. These puppies are also more fragile, so maybe running with them isn’t a good idea. Make sure your dog is suitable to run before starting this activity with him!
Here are some good small puppy breeds to jog with!
- Jack Russell Terriers.
- Welsh Corgis.
- Beagles.
- Miniature Poodles.
- Shetland Sheepdogs.
- Whippets.
- Etc.
Medium Breeds: Around One Year Old!
This size is the most recommended for this physical activity. After one year, most medium-sized dogs are fully grown. That’s a great time to introduce your furball to running. This could become an excellent way to exercise him regularly!
Here are some of the best running dogs!
- Border Collies.
- Australian Shepherds.
- Labrador or Golden Retrievers.
- Weimaraners.
- Vizslas.
- Huskies and Malamutes (Cold climate).
- Etc.
Large Breeds: Between 1 to 3 Years of Age!
These dogs take more time to reach their adult size. Their larger bones and structure need more time to grow. Giant dogs will normally take around 12 to 18 months before you can bring them in running. However, ultra-large dogs such as Mastiffs can take up to 2 or 3 years before they are fully grown. Furthermore, they aren’t very good companions for jogging. Too big dogs could hurt themselves with an intense sport like running!
Here are some relatively large dog breeds you can jog with!
- Doberman Pinschers.
- Dalmatians.
- Germans Shepherds.
- Rhodesian Ridgeback.
- Etc.
Now that you know when you can start running with your buddy, let’s understand how it can be bad to run too early!
Why Is Running Bad For Young Dogs?
Over-exercising your puppy when he’s not fully grown is very bad for him. You should be aware that jogging has constant impacts on the ankles, knees, and spine. If your dog starts this sport too young, he will injure his leg bones and joints for his whole life. Puppies are also vulnerable to tissue damage caused by over-exercising (like running). That’s why you should let your dog grow before enjoying regular runs together!
Other Conditions.
As I already told you, age isn’t the only information to analyze. His breed, shape, and health are other characters to look at. Besides, your dog’s breed will tell you a lot about your buddy. It’s very interesting to do some research to understand better your dog’s personality!
To save you some precious time, I’ve selected some dog breeds that are suitable for running. Good furry companions for running have several things in common. Let’s start by giving you some awesome breeds to run with!
- Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
- Collies.
- Weimaraners.
- Shepherd Dogs. (German, Australian, etc.)
- Dalmatians.
- Huskies.
- Malamutes.
- Vizslas.
- Terriers. (Airedale, Jack Russell, etc.)
- And Much More!
What Makes Good Running Dogs?
There are some common characteristics of these good canines for runners. For example, they are all medium-sized (Except Jack Russell Terriers.) and very energetic buddies. Many other elements can make your furball interesting (or not) for this intense sport. Here are all the conditions your dog needs to be suitable to run!
Size.
Medium-sized dogs are perfect running companions. Ultra-small or giant dogs can have serious problems because to keep up during intense activities!
Coat.
Some dogs can’t run in hot temperatures (like huskies) because of their double coat. On the contrary, some short-haired breeds could have issues with running in the cold. Make sure your dog is suitable to run in your type of climate!
Health Issues.
Your puppy also needs to be in good health. Overweight, respiratory, heart or any other issues can restrict your dog from this intense physical activity. Therefore, it’s essential to know his conditions and respect his limits. Your vet could help you decide if your buddy’s health is alright for running with you!
Structure.
Some structural issues (like hip dysplasia) can hurt your dog permanently. Running with these kinds of restrictions can be very bad for your pup. A professional could help you to avoid over-exercising your dog with a special structure! (Swimming could be ideal for them!)
Energy and Desire.
Finally, your puppy needs to be full of energy and have some desire to run. The energy should be a problem, but your dog could have no motivation to start running with you. As always, it’s very important to respect your puppy and pay attention to him!
Activities To Try When Your Puppy Is Too Young For Running!
If your buddy isn’t fully grown, it doesn’t mean you can do nothing with him. On the contrary, puppies need to spend a lot of energy, but not with intense dog sports! Daily exercise for your dog is very good to prevent obesity, health issues, behavioral problems, etc. It’s also interesting to improve your puppy’s strength, agility and well-being by stimulating him physically, socially and intellectually!
So… what activities can you enjoy safely with your young dog? That’s another question I want to answer for you. Here are some fun things to try with your puppy!
Backyard Play.
Simple activities can be really fun with a young dog. Playing outside is very good for you and your pup. He can play alone or with other dogs on the grass and have a lot of fun!
Enjoy Leaves, Water or Snow! This is personally one of my favorite canine activities. My dog “Marshmallow” really likes that kind of outdoor game. Playing in your backyard is easy, free and surprisingly fun!
Fetch.
The classic game of fetch is also an interesting option for relatively young dogs. It can be very useful for people who have difficulties playing with their dogs. Enjoying this game with your dog moderately can be very fun and provide him with proper exercise! (Are fetch games bad for dogs?)
Hide and Seek.
Can you play hide and seek with your dog? Yes, you just need some patience to teach this game to him. After some practice, you could start enjoying this fun activity with your young puppy!
Learn Simple Tricks.
If you didn’t teach your dog some basic commands, you should do it! After that, you could start helping him to master some very cool tricks. You could impress your friends by teaching your dog how to roll over, stand on hind legs or even play dead! Don’t miss this opportunity to solidify your bond, have fun and impress your loved ones! (However, you should probably start with basic obedience training!)
Walk With Him.
This is a very similar activity to running, but more simple and accessible to all. As you probably know, walking is extremely important for dogs. If you want to prepare your puppy for jogging, introduce him to small walks. Just make sure you don’t over-exercise him with too long distances. This activity will help with the transition to running, and it can be extremely fun! (Should you let your dog sniff on walks?)
5 Things To Know Before You Start Running With Your Puppy.
Begin Slowly.
Even when your dog will be able to run, start with moderation. Walking with him should be the first thing you should try. After some walks, you can start alternate walking and jogging. Once your dog seems ready, you can begin with slow and small runs. This process is very important to enjoy this activity safely!
Be Prepared.
Training is very important to run with your dog. That’s why it’s suggested to start jogging step by step. You also need to be prepared with the right equipment, training, health, etc. Running is fun, but the preparation is the key to success!
Any Special Equipment Needed?
There are many optional gears you could need while running. To get started, you will need equipment for you and your dog. Here are some interesting accessories you should consider investing in!
- An Appropriate Leash.
- A Backpack For Your Dog.
- A Light Harness For Your Pup.
- The Essential Gear For You To Run Safely. (Good Shoes, Adapted Clothes…)
- A Backpack For You. (Camelback)
- Other Optional Dog Running Equipment.
These gears aren’t all necessary to start running with your dog. It’s possible to enjoy this activity with a simple collar, leash, and some water. When your dog can do longer runs, more equipment could be very useful. That’s why it could be interesting to invest in quality gear at the start!
Bring Water and Food.
Your puppy needs to be hydrated before, during and after running. Therefore, you need to have plenty of water for you and your running partner. Sometimes, food can also be interesting for long runs to keep your dog full of energy!
How To Start Running When Your Dog Is Ready?
Now that you know everything you learn today, you’re ready to go! The only thing you still need is to teach your dog how to run. That’s not complicated at all because running is innate for him. Nonetheless, there are some other things to do (or don’t) while jogging with your dog. Before getting started, leash training could be very useful. That’s why walking with your dog before running is very interesting!
After that, you need to make sure your dog is suitable for running. The easiest way to know is to ask your vet. When you know your buddy can run it’s time to go out and try jogging! After building up stamina, you can slowly increase the pace, frequency, and intensity with time. Remember to pay attention to your dog to enjoy this sport safely without pushing him too hard!
Here are some tips to start running with your companion on AKC website! [Link Open In a New Tab]
Last Thoughts About When To Start Running With Your Dog!
That’s pretty much what you need to know to start running with your puppy. Keep in mind that young dogs shouldn’t run until they are fully grown. On average, the earliest age they can start to jog is between 8 and 12 months. It can be longer for larger dog breeds!
Before getting started, make sure to look if your dog is suitable for this kind of intense activity. I hope this blog post helped you understand when and how your puppy can start running safely! I wish you full of fun and quality time with your dog. If you pay attention to him and respect his personality, he could be the best running partner out there!