Running with my one year old boxer....

[rictor13]

Our boxer loves to go running in the morning. She runs at me side, on leash, at a good clip. I make sure that she doesn't start galloping and with several breaks. It seems effortless for her to trot for 30-50 minutes though. When she is done, she still shows no signs of fatigue and tears around the house.

I am hesitant to have her go any longer and especially worried about running her too far, and too fast, at an early age. But I also felt it was important to start her at a young age to get her use to it. I have had her heart checked throughout, and there is no murmurs etc...

When is the average boxer fully developed, and fully grown physically???

Thanks,

 

[Vela]

You should wait until at least 18 months to run with her long distances and they physically mature completely between 2 and 3.

 

[rictor13]

Thanks

Thanks for the info.

Regards,

 

[rocky road]

I am glad to have this info also. My brother is a runner and took Rock with him for the first time a week ago. He ran 3 miles with him!!! I won't do that again, I guess. But, you are right, he could've gone farther. My brother dropped him off and went out for another few miles and Rocky just sat by the door wanting more. Funny, but it can wait!

 

[Vela]

The main thing to remember is that even though the dog seems to be having fun, and probably is, it is too much stress on bones that are still in the growth stage and can affect the growth plates as well leading to deformity and lameness later in life. Too much too soon can cause early crippling that is much harder to deal with than waiting 18 months. It's hard to wait, and they seem like they can do it without a problem but the problems show up later on and can often be severe, even to the point of causing a dog to be put down due to arthritis and/or bone damage.

Just adding some information in case you were wondering WHY it is too soon.

 

[sweetnlo]

would it be ok if you are on your walk and you were to run/jog for a block or two with your Boxer pup and then walk for several blocks and then do it again. Overall, maybe sprint about 4-5 blocks during a half hour walk. Or something along those lines?

 

[DannyB]

I'm not at ALL challenging the wait 18 months recommendation but does anyone know why running with a person is not a good idea but it's okay for them to tear around like madmen on their own? Is it because the gait is too constrained/unnatural or because we tend to run on hard surfaces and when Danny's burning around with his boxer buddies they're on grass?

 

[courtney323]

Yes, it's simply forced exercise that is bad. Before their growth plates close and harden (which is typically at 18 months of age for a Boxer), all of their exercise should come from normal play alone.

Whether you realize it or not, when you leash your dog and go jogging, he/she is intent on keeping your pace and distance, which could put a lot of stress on their joints and growth plates. Sure, he may be full of energy and pulling you for half of the jog -- but he is going to resist the need to take breaks and rests. The repetitive jarring of his joints (while his growth plates are open and vulnerable to injury) is not good for him. It's just a risk that I wouldn't take, personally.

You can do a search on "jogging" and there are lots of posts where it has been discussed in the past.