British Dalmatian Club

[NunoAraujo]

Hello everyone, I have recently started to incorporate jogging/running with Dot (who is now 7 months) into my morning routine. We only do it for about 15 minutes. But now I've read somewhere that young puppies shouldn't run for a "long" time because they're still developing their joints etc. So, at what age do you believe is OK to start?

[Maggi]

Young puppies really shouldn't do lots of hard exercise and I would say to wait until around a year old before jogging on a daily/regular basis. Having said that (I'll probably get shot down in flames here) I personally think that if you are not running on hard surfaces a couple of times a week for 15 minutes wouldn't hurt a pup of his age. On grass or sand would be OK for me.

I've always exercised my own dogs quite a lot. Caper joined our walking club at 10 months old and we walk 10 - 15 km over mountain but it's only once a week (though we do walk at least 5 km the other days). I wouldn't encourage jumping or agility type exercises (though again I live on the side of a mountain and the dogs hurl down the terraces like mad things). Common sense is the key. So long as the dog is not pounding its joints on hard surfaces, is allowed to stop if he is tired (definitely not jogging with a bike or on a lead) and as with all exercise you build it up gradually.

I stress that this is my personal opinion. Many experts disagree with me but my dogs have lived to ripe old ages without joint problems and I'd rather exercise my dogs a bit more than have manic bored young dogs.
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Maggi, Caper & Poppy (Hon. Spot)- Banjoliers, Faithful Followers and Forum Wanderers.

[Jeangenie]

You're quite right to be concerned; too much steady 'pavement-pounding' (a hard surface is the worst) can damage the growth-plates of the developing bones and joints, leading to early-onset joint pain. So it's best to avoid this till the dog is about 12 to 18 months old.

A five-minute steady jog on a softer surface, to train the dog to trot steadily on a loose lead, shouldn't do any harm.

[NunoAraujo]

Too bad, I'll wait until he's older then :\ Thank you for the replies.