Small dog as running partner?

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Replies

  • roxylola
    roxylola Posts: 540 Member
    I have known a shih tsu go for miles with my beagle and springer but she lacks the zoomies they have on the way out, and we stroll rather than march when she is with us. She is always done in afterwards where mine would go again. I would do the walking bits with her of c25k and get some way of carrying her for the rest if you want to take her with you. I bet she would enjoy the walks and maybe some brisk walking for you (like a run for her)
  • animalldy
    animalldy Posts: 140 Member
    I run with my pug x boston terrier mix who is 20lbs and 1.5 years old. She is very active and loves to run. We use the Stunt Puppy running leash and run just under 3 miles 1-2x a week. In the summer we stop about 3 times so she can get a drink of water and go in the creek to cool down but we don't go if its too hot or very muggy because it's not safe for her. In the winter she wears boots and we don't go when its below 10 degrees. It just depends on your dog! People are surprised that she loves running but she really does and she would probably like to go for 6 miles but I cant keep up with her! I worked at a vet clinic for years so I'm aware that most pug mixes aren't cut out for activity like this, but it makes her happy and the vet approves. My pure bred pug prefers the couch and the occasional 1 mile walk :)
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    My maltese can run with me for a little while but she can't go much farther than 1-1.5 miles.
  • all4my4girls
    all4my4girls Posts: 20 Member
    My little Maltese/shih tzu mix can definitely keep up for a long brisk walk, but more than that, I put her in the double jogging stroller with my daughter. Lol. I get a lot of comments on the trail that we run. We did just get an old English sheepdog who will be my running partner. I want her to be at least a year old before we start really running as I read it's bad for their developing bones and joints. Right now we are working on leash obedience (and we have a ways to go....)

    I would check with your vet and I would do a few trial runs and see how things go...
  • benefiting
    benefiting Posts: 795 Member
    I run with my pug x boston terrier mix who is 20lbs and 1.5 years old. She is very active and loves to run. We use the Stunt Puppy running leash and run just under 3 miles 1-2x a week. In the summer we stop about 3 times so she can get a drink of water and go in the creek to cool down but we don't go if its too hot or very muggy because it's not safe for her. In the winter she wears boots and we don't go when its below 10 degrees. It just depends on your dog! People are surprised that she loves running but she really does and she would probably like to go for 6 miles but I cant keep up with her! I worked at a vet clinic for years so I'm aware that most pug mixes aren't cut out for activity like this, but it makes her happy and the vet approves. My pure bred pug prefers the couch and the occasional 1 mile walk :)

    Aw, cute! Thanks for the story of your dog! As people have suggested I'm going to get it vet approved too, just be on the safe side.

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