The Best Dogs for Runners

I have mentioned that I am a huge fan of running with a friend. There is nothing more motivating than knowing that there is a person at the other end, waiting for you to show up and do some work.

I was thinking this week about running with friends, and I feel a partner that is often overlooked is in the silent and furry category. While I have never ran with a dog, I have had a coworker who would run half marathons with his pooch, showing that if you pick the right dog, you will never be without a good running partner.

I had dogs on the mind because this past week, I needed to put down a special little Yorkie in my life and I certainly underestimated the difficulty of it all.

He is now buried under the special pet tree in our back yard, but I figured I would pay him a wee homage and do a profile on the best dogs to enjoy a long run with.

There is no perfect breed for all distances and personality and behaviour plays a big role.

• Weimaraners

• Goldendoodles

• German shorthaired pointers

• Vizslas

• Jack Russell terriers

Key Traits: A medium build, well-muscled hind quarters, not too heavy

Brisk, Shorter Runs (Less than 10 KM)

• Greyhounds

• Pit bulls

• English setters

• Beagles

• Golden and Labrador retrievers

Going Fast (7 Minute Miles or Less)

• Vizslas

• German shorthaired pointers

• Weimaraners

• Greyhounds

• Whippets

Key Traits: A medium-size, lean build, and a mental aptitude for running

Long, Slow Runs

• Catahoulas

• Labrador retrievers

• Standard poodles

• Dalmatians

Key Traits: A bigger body that can handle the distance—if you go slow

Running in the Heat:

• Rhodesian ridgebacks

• Vizslas

• Airedale terriers

• Fox terriers

Key Traits: A long nose, a short, sleek coat, and a svelte body

Running in the Cold

• Malamutes

• German shepherds

• Swiss mountain dogs

• Siberian huskies

Key Traits: A thick coat and a stockier body type

Running on Trails with Obstacles

• German shorthaired pointers

• Vizslas

• Weimaraners

• Border collies

• Belgian sheepdogs

Key Traits: Sure-footed and quick to react (such as herding and hunting dogs)

Most Obedient on Heavily Used Trails

• Golden and Labrador retrievers

• Standard poodles

• Labradoodles

• Border collies

Key Traits: Nonaggressive, people-oriented, and obedient; has a calm personality

 Amazing how Yorkies didn’t make the list… There was only one time I tried to run with Wilson and he pretended that he had a leg injury less than a block in…

Do you run with a dog? 

If not, which dog from the list suits your running style?