Running dog....Swimming dog?

[shaunross]

Hey gang.

I've got a 5 month old boxer. My wife has always wanted a running dog and our dog Artie doesn't seem to jog with her. He tends to sit after 4-5 minutes of very very slow jogging. Sometimes will just stop completely. Are boxers good running dogs?

Also, we took Artie to the park today and he saw other dogs play in the water. He seemed scared to go into the water. Are boxers good "water" dogs?

Can't wait to hear the replies.

Shaun-out

 

[garvinsmum]

5 months is too young for him to be jogging, I think you are supposed to wait until they are about 18 months for that intensity of exercise. Perhaps someone will clarify that.

Garvin, who is 4, loves to run though, he is great to go jogging with, in fact thats about the only way you want to walk him.....

He also loves to swim. But it took quite a bit of coaxing. Chances are if you go in he will go in with you. They do need to be carefully supervised swimming though. Some Boxers are great swimmers, some are sinkers. Garvin is pretty good, but if he loses rythum he will sink like a stone :(

 

[OSCARS MUM]

hi there, my Roxy girl swims like a fish, and stays afloat really well....Oscar on the other hand.... he loves the water but once he gets himself in he swishes around like a washing machine, with his front legs going everywhere above the water......its too funny!! people at the beach stop and see if he needs to be rescued and then laugh at him because they can see im giggling at him....its so cute.

 

[sarah44]

Until Bosco was about 8 months or so he wouldn't even go for long walks without sitting every few minutes. At two he loves to run with me....your pup seems too young to be jogging but give it some time.

Bosco was also afraid of water for the longest time. I would get him playing near the lake shore and splash in the water while playing. He got to where he liked to splash around but if he couldn't stand he would get a terrified look and thrash around until he got back to the shore. Now if he is playing with other dogs he will venture out farther but he isn't the best swimmer so I'm always close enough to grab him if he sinks.

 

[Arty]

hey..I've got an Arty too! Although mines with a "y"

Anywho...I don't think they are big swimmers. Not to say some won't take to it. Arty loves his kiddie pool though. One day this summer we were swimming in our pool and I wanted to see how he would do in the pool. So he comes up to the edge, I am right there ready to pick up him and bring him in, when...oops! Falls in. Being right there I quickly help him and he gets on the right track...and enjoys himself for 1.4 seconds before he realizes he cannot touch the bottom. He turns around, doggie paddles back to the deck. I get him out, and he is so upset, he spends the rest of the time on the lower part of the deck staring the other way. He wanted no part of that pool!