Running With Dogs: Are they all Suitable Partners?

Almost every day at precisely 8:35, A.M, while I lazily sit sipping my morning coffee, gazing out my office window, I often catch a glimpse of a few of our neighbors out for their morning run with their dogs.

Interestingly, it doesn't seem to make any difference whether they are pedigree dogs or just plain "mutts". They all seem to be having such fun, and I fervently wish I could get out there and join them.

Of course I am dog-less in central Florida, but I highly suspect that if I invited Hush Puppy, one of our cats, to accompany me on a jaunt, I would receive a glance that translates into, "she has lost her mind."

Even though he was given a name by his breeder that is rather "canine" sounding, Puppy's physical fitness program consists of dashing through the house at breakneck speed with his brother, Hubble, chasing him! Retrieving little pieces of rolled up paper, or a favorite toy are the only behaviors that they exhibit that in any way resembles the canine behavior.

So I got to wondering if all dogs enjoy running with their humans, and was compelled to do some research on the subject. I actually was amazed at some of the information that I discovered. According to a fairly recent article in the New York Times online, "Some dogs are bred to go the distance and some aren't."

It seems that Michelle Powe, an English teacher in Midlothian Texas, discovered that Mookie, her 90-pound Catahoula, (referred to often as the Catahoula Leopard dog or hound but not a true hound, which was named after the Catahoula Parish in Louisiana and bred specifically to hunt wild boar), was not her ideal running partner.

Powe commented, "He kept trying to herd me. "By the end of it, my knees were sore from having 90 pounds constantly bumping into me. It was fun for other people to watch, but not so much for me." During their three-mile run, Mookie kept displaying this breed's typical behavior, nipping at her legs and throwing his rather hefty weight against her. All I can say is "ouch!"

Michelle Powe is not unique in assuming that her young, vibrant dog would make a fabulous running partner to accompany her when she was out for a jaunt. She, like many dog owners, thought that since canines love to spend time with their humans, and enjoy running, it would be a match made in Heaven.

However, running in the manner that we choose is not something that all dogs enjoy. Many dogs just are not thrilled with running in a straight line. After all, there are those enticing scents which any dog with a mind of its own must investigate. Additionally untrained dogs can wreak havoc for folks out for serious run.

Michelle's sister, Alexandra-Powe, a dog trainer in Dallas, and author of a book on dog obedience, cautioned folks considering running with their dog: "Invariably active dog owners wake up one day and say, 'Today is a beautiful day, I'm going to go run with Fluffy,' and they've never run with Fluffy before, and they set off and realize it really stinks running with Fluffy."

She suggests that anyone interested in running with their dogs first check the breed's characteristics. She also advises that small dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and teacup Poodles may have difficulty keeping up with their humans, running long distances at high speeds.

Do you run with your dog? Do you have any additional suggestions? Leave a comment and share about them.

Photo Credit: Champion Catahoula dog via Wikipedia