Are Great Danes good running dogs? You’ll surely love to go running with your Great Dane and the good news is that you can take him out for a run. Read on below to know more about running with Great Danes.
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Can you run with your Great Dane
Yes, you can go running with Great Dane. However, there are lots of things you should know first before you get started.
Remember that not all Great Danes can keep up with you during a run. Some have health problems while others simply lack the desire or energy to run.
If your pet is in great shape and loves going for his walks daily with no difficulties at all, it will be perfectly fine for you to go running with him. But, it is highly recommended to perform a deeper analysis to make sure that your fur baby will be able to run safely.
How fast can Great Danes run
Great Danes were originally bred to be hunting dogs. This is a great sign that you will never have any issues if you want to make them run. The gentle giants could be amazing running buddies, particularly for medium and short distances. Mainly due to their ultra-tall and large structure, Great Danes could run 30 miles per hour. With these numbers alone, it is easy to tell that these dogs are good sprinters.
Now, this doesn’t mean you also need to run this fast whenever you and your pup go out for a run. A great furry running companion will follow his owner and adapt his pace. Your pooch will also mimic your pace although you can always allow him to engage in fast sprints that will help enhance your running skills. You must take your time and get the right pace that suits you and your dog.
Training your Great Dane to become your ideal running companion
Training your dog safely to make him your perfect partner for running is very simple, with practice and preparation being the key. You need a training routine that is consistent enough and specially made for your dog.
There is no need for you to hire a specialist or get a pricey dog training plan just to develop your running schedule. As long as you know your companion well, you can be sure to create the best and safest exercise routine for your dog. See to it that you always respect and consider the limits and conditions of your fur baby.
Before giving your dog some serious training, you need to come up with a good diet plan that suits your dog. Improving the overall fitness of your pup is just the same as doing it for yourself. A good food plan, patience, and consistent training will lead you to a happier, healthier, and better jogging buddy.
Things to know before you run with your Great Dane
Here are a few factors to know before you go out for a run with your Great Dane:
1. Prepare all the essential gear.
There is no need for you to have lots of things just so you can run with your Dane. But, there are still a few items you need. These include good shoes, a leash, waste bags, water, and snacks. For canicross or longer runs, you will also need canicross gear, a small backpack, and other optional gear.
2. Keep an eye on your Dane.
There are a lot of runners who don’t look after their dogs. It can be quite dangerous since your pup may end up hurting himself without you even noticing it. Your jogging companion will give you a sign if he needs something such as a break, water, or snacks. This is why you need to watch your dog closely during a run.
3. Start slowly.
Your fur baby will never be able to keep your pace if you begin your run too fast. The most ideal way of introducing running to your dog is to follow a simple process with three easy steps. First, you have to become good when it comes to dog walking. Afterward, you can introduce your dog to jogging at a run-walk pace. Lastly, boost the overall fitness of your dog and find the pace that best suits you and your Dane.
How often can you run with a Great Dane
There are lots of factors that will affect how often you can run with your dog. His health, experience, energy, and other conditions can influence the frequency of running with your Dane. At first, one day a week will be safer and also more efficient. After this, you can increase the distance little by little as well as the intensity and frequency of your runs. Make sure you don’t push the limits of your dog too hard.
Also, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy every activity or run with your Dane. Exercising this giant breed can often be tricky but it is always possible to have fun. After all, going out with your dog is the perfect chance for the two of you to have some fun.
How much exercise does your Great Dane need
Generally speaking, these gentle giants don’t really need too much exercise. But, it doesn’t mean that you can just allow these dogs to get bored and stay on the couch the whole day. Just like other dogs, Danes need to go for walks daily to expend their energy. Also, they need some fresh air, good mental stimulation, an active routine, and socialization. The breed shouldn’t exercise seriously or intensely before they turn adult.
On average, Great Danes need around 30 up to 60 minutes of exercise per day. This number may vary depending on their personality, size, and age. Every dog has unique needs and this is why you need to take some time to get to know your dog better.
The exercise time must include running or walking and extra free time for enjoying activities or playing some games. You need to mentally entertain your dog with interactive activities or puzzle games as this is equally essential as physical activities. Over-exercising your pet may make him suffer from problems like paw injuries, joint pains, and others. See to it that your giant fur baby gets enough exercise without going overboard.
What are the signs that you are over-exercising your Dane?
There might be some dire consequences when you push your Dane to his limits. If your dog doesn’t feel well, he will try communicating with you.
Below are some of the top signs that it is time for you to stop running and make some adjustments to your training:
- Confusion
- Heavy panting
- Paws injuries
- Regular stopping
- Sluggishness
- Sore muscles
- Sweating
- Vomiting
If your Dane cannot keep up with your own pace or he shows some weird symptoms, this is a sign that you need to stop. Make sure to give your dog time to drink fresh water, rest, cool down, and stop any form of physical activity.
Your pet might be overheated, exhausted, or just needs to stop. There is a risk that you will hurt your dog if you don’t respect his limits. If you are a dog owner who loves to run, you might need to try some other forms of similar activities.
Some of the fun dog activities and sports that can help expend the energy of your Dane include:
- Canicross
- Dog agility
- Frisbee
- Flyballl
- Hiking
- Obedience
What types of physical activities are suitable for your Great Dane
Some active people like running long distances with their Great Dane. The history of the breed makes them better for shorter brisk runs instead of long jogs. But, you must never run for over 3 miles with your Dane so you don’t end up hurting him.
It is not because Great Danes cannot jog for 4 to 5 miles. This is more because he will risk injuring or hurting himself with very long distances. After introducing physical activity to your buddy, you can start training him to build stamina and become faster.
Activity ideas for Great Danes that cannot run safely
If you are not sure if your fur baby is suitable for running, you don’t need to worry because there are still many other activities that are lower intensity that you can safely try with him. Although your buddy may be a couch potato now and then, he still requires exercise every day. Some ideas you can consider include:
- Dog training
- Fetch
- Hiking
- Nature research
- Obstacle training
- Scavenger hunt
- Sniffing games
- Walking
The Bottom Line
While Great Danes can safely go for a run with you, it is important that you still prepare your dog before you decide to go out. This way, you can keep him healthy and happy all the time.
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