running with a sheep dog???
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| way too much running for such a young dog. while it may not cause health problems it can exasberate issues that already exist (and you have no idea if they do) such as hip or other muscular skelatal issues. |
| she is too young to do that much. her growth plates in her joints havent closed yet since she isnt full grown and this well cause issues later down the road for her. growth plates dont close until full grown and for a lot of sheepies that isnt until 2 or 3 years old, it varies from dog to dog but on average this is at least. Since she has free roam of your property, she is already getting lots of excersize. |
| thanks so much. when she is about 2 it would be ok then? how about long hikes? i suppose cross country skiing should wait a couple seasons too.
thanks Paul |
| I have taken long walks wth my two from the time they were about 4 months old - of course long then meant a mile or two:)
I think you can see what the dog tolerates - they get tired, you stop. this has been a topic of much heated discussion on the dog powered sports list. if you take your guy Xcountry skiing when he is 8 or 10 months old I would think as long as you don't push him or overtire he will be all right. I have a female who would run for miles at a very young age and is very very healthy (good genetics) my boy - well he tends to the slug side of the equation  |
| My breeder vet (he's been our vet for over 23 years) says "NO" to runinng or jogging with an OES. Looks cool but it is NOT good for the dog. The amount of running they do in the backyard or dog runs is plenty for them. As for walks, he always told me nothing more than around the block until 6 months of age & then I could go a bit longer. Once they were mature I gauged it on the strength & enduranace of each dog. I'd say anything between 1-3 miles is good for them as adults. But as adults....still no to jogging or long distance running. |
| After the growth plates close (18 mos to 2 years for most) and with proper conditioning, they can run. This is assuming you have a healthy and structurally sound dog.
Last winter Chewie (at about 20-24 months) was actively carting and mushing. When in peak condition, he and another young Samoyed were pulling the cart or sled (depending on the snow availability) for 5+ miles. And doing it very easily. Actually wanting to keep going, they were so loving it!. Common sense ruled, and we did warm downs instead. We also never, ever run them on pavement. On grass, gravel roads and snow only. I myself am a "old" competitive distance runner, and I know how to train myself and my dogs.  I need to get myself back into the shape my dog is - and it is work!
The fall weather means longer walks and runs to get myself back in shape for the season. Last winter was bad - I was so out of shape and was holding back the dog's progress.  |
ChSheepdogs wrote: My breeder vet (he's been our vet for over 23 years) says "NO" to runinng or jogging with an OES. Looks cool but it is NOT good for the dog. The amount of running they do in the backyard or dog runs is plenty for them. As for walks, he always told me nothing more than around the block until 6 months of age & then I could go a bit longer. Once they were mature I gauged it on the strength & enduranace of each dog. I'd say anything between 1-3 miles is good for them as adults. But as adults....still no to jogging or long distance running.
Marilyn - I really think it depends on the dog. Morgan has never shown much endurance (as a 6 month old puppy I would end up carrying him half the way around the block  ) on the other hand Marley is super athletic and can go five miles at a trot with me biking and then when we get home want to play until Morgan is exhausted and she is looking for something else to do.
I know they weren't as a whole breo be long distance runners, but they should have some endurance and I would think individuals may have a lot more than others. I think we also have to remember some people run or jog slower than others so the dog may only be walking quickly  |
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