{"id":10421,"date":"2021-02-23T10:00:54","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T16:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/?p=10421"},"modified":"2024-12-12T14:28:14","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T20:28:14","slug":"dog-breeds-for-runners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/blog\/culture\/breeds\/dog-breeds-for-runners\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Dog Breeds for Distance Runners"},"content":{"rendered":"

It seems like this winter is dragging on FURRever, but we\u2019re happy to note that spring is just around the corner. If you\u2019re a runner who likes covering long distances with a furry pal, this is great news (assuming the cold and snow even slowed you down). If you\u2019re a runner who is considering getting a furry pal to bound alongside, allow us to help you narrow down your search with a selection of dog breeds that are perfect for distance runners.<\/p>\n

This list is merely a starting point. It is by no means comprehensive, because there are so many dogs who like to get out there and run!<\/p>\n

German Shorthaired Pointer<\/h3>\n

\"German<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve recently covered why the loyal German shorthaired pointer<\/a> (GSP) is a perfect dog for all-day endurance activities in the woods, so if you\u2019re into long hustles through the woods or over uneven terrain, the GSP can keep pace in almost any scenario.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Uneven, obstacle-strewn terrain<\/p>\n

Siberian Husky<\/h3>\n

\"Siberian<\/p>\n

Endurance running is literally what these extremely energetic dogs<\/a> were bred for, so it goes without saying that a Siberian would be a great match for your inner marathoner. The big question is whether your runs will be long enough for them! One caveat: Though Siberians need lots of exercise in any climate, they are suited for cold weather. If it\u2019s warm outside, monitor them for heat issues. One consideration when owning a husky is that a husky with too much energy can be destructive. It\u2019s imperative that they have an outlet for that energy.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Cold weather runs, dedicated runners<\/p>\n

Dalmatians<\/h3>\n

\"Dalmatian<\/p>\n

Dalmatians were bred to protect horses and carriages by running ahead of them and scouting the way, so running for long and unexpected distances is almost literally in their blood. Though they\u2019re more suited for steady, even terrain than over-the-river-and-through-the-woods jaunts, they have a protective instinct that can aid the lone runner. And if they can keep up with horses, they can keep up with you!<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Long runs over predictable terrain.<\/p>\n

Border Collies<\/h3>\n

\"Border<\/p>\n

Un. Limited. Energy. Border collies seemingly live to expend that energy, which makes them great companions for long, long runs. Their inherent agility and athleticism make them great partners for almost any type of run, and their thick coats protect them from most types of weather. One caution: snow can build up in the fur on their feet and their long rear-end hair, so pay close attention, especially in loose, fresh snow.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Most terrain, most weather<\/p>\n

Portuguese water dogs<\/h3>\n

\"Portuguese<\/p>\n

These large, hearty dogs need \u201cvigorous exercise every day<\/a>,\u201d making them perfect companions for daily distance running. They\u2019re built for water, so don\u2019t take the day off just because it\u2019s a little wet. Even though they seem burly, they\u2019re surprisingly agile, so twisty, turny wooded tracks are always on the menu.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Damp, off-road terrain<\/p>\n

Australian Shepherd<\/h3>\n

\"Australian<\/p>\n

Aussies never seem to cease their activity, so the more long runs you can take them on, the better. As inherent herding dogs, they may literally run laps around you as they protect you from perceived dangers while matching your pace the whole time. Their darting, jumping nature makes them great trail-running companions.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Off-road runs<\/p>\n

Standard Poodle<\/h3>\n

\"Standard<\/p>\n

Sometimes it can be hard to take a standard poodle seriously as an athletic partner, but make no mistake: these dogs can run. Their long legs and gentle, trainable demeanor mean that running long distances on a leash is no problem at all. The tight coils of their coats repel water and mud, so they do well on smooth off-road courses.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Long runs on smoother terrain<\/p>\n

Labrador retriever<\/h3>\n

\"Labrador<\/p>\n

The gold standard<\/a> for pretty much any activity, the Labrador retriever will run over hill and dale for days at a time. Their sturdy build and eager personality mean that there\u2019s virtually no terrain or distance that they can\u2019t cover. Beware, though. If you skip a day or two, your lab still needs to expend that energy. Like huskies, a lab with too much energy can be destructive.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: The woods!<\/p>\n

Vizsla<\/h3>\n

\"Vizsla<\/p>\n

Vizslas are finely tuned athletes that need a lot of exercise to contain their excitement for\u2026anything. Bred as hunting dogs, they\u2019re used to long days on the run. The American Kennel Club recommends at least<\/em> 30 minutes of exercise every day<\/a> once they are fully mature, so mileage is no problem. Though they\u2019re hunting dogs, Vizslas have very short fur so they\u2019re better suited for warmer temperatures unless you bundle up.<\/p>\n

Perfect for:<\/em> Long runs, warm climates<\/p>\n

Weimaraners<\/h3>\n

\"Weimaraner<\/p>\n

They\u2019re muscly but long-legged and can cover a lot of ground once they get a full head of steam. Weimaraners are also extreme \u201cpeople\u201d dogs who will stick by your side whether you\u2019re chugging through mile eight or zipping up a steep trail. Their short coats are better suited for warm temperatures.<\/p>\n

Perfect for<\/em>: Long runs with short bursts, off-road activity<\/p>\n

This list is just a starting point. There are dozens of breeds that could make a runner of any type happy, and let\u2019s not forget mixed-breed pups, who offer a wide-range of energy levels and abilities. No matter your breed or mix, always pay attention to your dog\u2019s behavior on runs. Every dog is different, so make sure to avoid over-exertion, heat exhaustion and hypothermia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RELATED POST: HOW MUCH EXERCISE DOES YOUR PET NEED?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It seems like this winter is dragging on FURRever, but we\u2019re happy to note that spring is just around the corner. If you\u2019re a runner who likes covering long distances with a furry pal, this is great news (assuming the cold and snow even slowed you down). If you\u2019re a runner who is considering getting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":10441,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"The Best Dog Breeds For Distance Runners | Diamond Pet Foods","_seopress_titles_desc":"Are you a runner who likes covering long distances with a furry pal? Take a look at our guide of dog breeds perfect for runners. Read More!","_seopress_robots_index":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[276,158,1],"tags":[134,569,499,572,54,571,570],"class_list":["post-10421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breeds","category-culture","category-uncategorized","tag-diamond-pet-foods","tag-dog-breed","tag-dog-exercise","tag-dog-exercising","tag-dogs","tag-running","tag-running-breeds"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10421\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}