Exercising with your dog: The best of breeds to suit your active lifestyle

Dogs make for perfect company when you are out and about exercising or training. Most dogs would not pass up the chance to exercise and they make great competitors, as they can match their speed to yours. However, different breeds are more suited to different kinds of taining. Here’s a few suggestions to get you thinking:

Running

All breeds should be able to hang on, but then there is the question of how much patience you have for leaves, dirt and mud sticking onto your dog’s fur! Remember to have your dog on a leash if there are a lot of people around and/or there are a lot of wildlife where you are running.

Suitable breeds: Doberman, Boxer, Rottweiler, German Shepherds Schnauzer, Dalmatian Retrievers, Sheep-Dogs and Sight hounds.

Hiking

A few hours or even a day out spent hiking can be a great workout session for both you and your dog, but be careful when taking hunter-breeds into the wild, especially in seasons when birds nest.

Suitable breeds: Doberman, Vorster, German Shepherd, Boxer, Rottweiler, Schnauzer, Dalmatian, Sheep-dog, Staffordshire, Bullterrier, Airedale terrier and all Retrievers.

Roller-skating

This can be a great activity for the larger dogs, but it is important to keep an eye on your speed! Many breeds will run until they collapse, so it is better to start with short distances and an easy speed! Many smaller, long-legged breeds can be taken out for an occasional roller-skating trip in moderate speed, but be wary of how your dog is keeping up and be sure to give them some time to rest every now and then. For the short-legged, perhaps it is better to chose another form of exercise, for example…

Swimming

Most public pools do not allow dogs, but if you have ready access to water it is a great way of getting in shape for both your dog and yourself! You can buy special life-vests for dogs to help make them feel safer and more secure in the water. Perhaps you have already seen your dog in you swimming-pool at home? Many dogs enjoy playing with jet streams in the pool and chlorine is no more dangerous for dogs than it is for humans so there is no danger for the coat, but check for signs of the eyes becoming irritated after playing about in the water for a long time!

Cross-Country Skiing

Perhaps not a form of exercise that Australians encounter very often…but should the opportunity arise, perhaps if you are residing in one of the Australian highland-regions or in southern New Zealand, it is a perfect way of training with your dog! It is important that your breed of dog is not overly sensitive to cold. The dog should have long legs to keep the stomach above the snow. Wet snow often sticks to long and furry coats. If your dog is large it will happily drag a sledge. As when roller-skating, be sure to match the speed!

Suitable breeds: German Shepherd, all Retrievers, Sheep-dogs, Vorster and Airedale Terrier.

Horse Riding

You can bring your dog along on a horse ride, so long as it is very well behaved. It must be quick on its toes, obediently react immediately to your orders and not be prone to stray away too far.

Suitable breeds: It is said that some breeds go especially well with horses, Dalmatians is such a a breed. Otherwise the same breeds that suits with hiking (see above) are often good. Some riders stick to small dogs who can sit with them on the horseback.

Golf

Golf is probably not the activity that first comes to mind when you think of exercising with your dog. While it is not the most active, high impact of sports if the alternative is to hang around at home alone, it’s probably better to bring your pooch along! Many golf-courses allow dogs, however, strict rules apply. All dogs are suitable, just make sure your dog does what it is told and that it isn’t a digger! Usually, golf-courses wants you to have your dog on a leash. Don’t forget to bring them a bowl of water!

Sources:

http://www.aftonbladet.se/kropphalsa/article5590.ab

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_breeds

http://www.ausgolf.com.au/

http://www.iseekgolf.com/

http://www.sungolf.spiderweb.com.au/