Jogging with a Corgi?
I've never really been one for jogging, but I need more exercise, and Marcus has a seemingly inexhaustible amount of energy, so I thought starting a jogging regimen for the two of us. Obviously, we'd be starting very slow, as I'm sort of a desk jockey IRL, and my stamina is just terrible. I've been doing a lot of reading about running with dogs, but didn't see much about Corgis specifically. I have a few questions about the specifics. Obviously he has been checked out by a vet and is healthy.
1. Some of these articles say not to run with a dog with short legs? While Corgis do have short legs, they're bred to chase sheep around all day, so I'm assuming that they can handle running with a human, as long as we work up to longer locations?
2. How do you handle bringing along all the stuff you need? Like poop bags, water, a water dish, cell phone for emergencies, inhalers, etc? Is it practical to jog with a backpack?
Any other Corgi specific considerations that I haven't thought of?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kayla and Mason on
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I hope someone responds to this, I was also wondering this today. I'm looking to lose the prednisone pounds I've gained from being on it for 2 years, and was wondering if it was possible to jog with my Cardi.
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Oh my goodness that is adorable.
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi Erin,
Here's an old discussion.
1. Gradually increase your distance, stop often for water breaks. Avoid jumping down steps before the age of 1.
2. Fanny packs for runners, you can get them anywhere, including walmart. There are collapsible fabric water dish.
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on
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I'd say no to the doggy backpack. I've never seen one that I consider lightweight, well-designed, doesn't wobble or snag on brush. It's more ergonomic for me to carry what little the dog could carry. The dog will have enough just keeping up. Use a small fannypack, use a cinch cord so it doesn't wobble and rattle.
I've never run with our dogs. At some point, a fit human will outrun the corgi. Humans are superb endurance animals and can outrun a horse, it's been proven. But I'd think a fit corgi could keep up with a human at a moderate pace for quite a ways.
If you start running too much too fast, you will get hurt. Ditto for the dog. Start slow and build slow, or you'll get a reminder of your greed. Beginners are dangerous, in anything. But it's amazing: if you start slow and build slow, you get used to what used to be agony. Habit renders it agreeable and easy.
Eventually, when you're ready, it's worthwhile to mix in a sprint, for at least a while, where you're going flat-out and want nothing but to stop. That's cardiovascular exercise, enjoyable only in retrospect, and so worth it. I don't think a corgi could do that for long. I used to be pretty fast (now I'm only half-fast), but the dogs, fresh, could match me at a full sprint for 50 yards or so, then fade quickly.
It is very worthwhile to mix running with yoga, which remedies the insults of running and exercises the rest of your body, and I think it's one of the best things for health and longevity. Repeat: it is really really really worth doing both yoga and running. Although it's harder for corgi owners, 'cause you gotta learn to throw a tennis ball and do yoga at the same time, and they don't teach that in classes.
Beware of heat. Choose cool times and weather. Dogs can't sweat, and you've seen how long it takes them to cool down. It has been speculated that this is why we lost our fur -- so we could sweat, cool ourselves, and outrun prey. Dogs don't know when to quit, and might just possibly run itself to death for you. ???
THIS IS IMPORTANT: We never really succeed at anything we don't come to love and enjoy, so believe it or not, we have to find a way to love and enjoy this stuff. It really helps to have a beautiful place to run. Do not think of this as an onerous task to get finished and done with. Find the way to enjoy it, even if the enjoyment is admittedly in retrospect.
Best way to start is by simply walking: long, fast, hard, uphill. That won't hurt anyone, and a corgi can keep up with a walking human all day (it's been proven). And love you for it.
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Permalink Reply by Alison Prasavath on
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Noodles and I go jogging twice a day. In the morning because it is cool, I can put all the items I need to take with me in pockets, but after work, my hands are full. I don't have him carry anything and I'll tuck the poop bags in my IPOD arm band. Now that we are FINALLY getting warmer weather, I don't push Noodles as hard and we only do 2 laps around the track and then 2 laps back in the wooded section of the park. The heat coming off the track is just too much for him. Also, if it gets in the mid 80s or higher, I won't jog Noodles at all and I'll take him on a long walk in the evening. He gets hot too quickly and I've seen a dog faint before (my parents miniature schnauzer did that. Scared the living daylights out of me). He still gets his 2 "walks" in, but the speed we go depends on the temperature outside. He loves our routine and always gets so excited when he sees me grab my shoes. He waits patiently by the front door for me to put his harness on him and off we go! Have fun! (oh and sometimes when he wants to stop, I always make it a game for him to catch up to me and he loves it. When he passes me, he turns around, nub shaking, ears back and comes running back towards me to kiss me. Yes, we have fun while burning calories.)
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