WHEN YOUR RUNNING BUDDY HAS FOUR FEET

By Dr. Ruben Castro

It’s a new year and with a new year comes new hopes and dreams. For many people, that means it’s time to make resolutions. According to a Forbes health online poll, the most common new year’s resolutions are improving fitness (39%) and losing weight (37%). For some pet owners, this is an opportunity for them to have their fur baby be a part of their new fitness goals. Many people begin a walking or running routine to accomplish this. However, not all dog breeds are built for walking long distances or running.

Here are some essential things to keep in mind if you have made a new year’s resolution to lose weight by walking, jogging, or running with your fur baby:

Puppies aged 18 months or younger are still maturing, which means that their bones and muscles are not ready for the demands of strenuous exercise. Putting heavy miles on your puppy could cause permanent damage to its developing body.

During your dog’s first time with you, starting them off slowly is a great idea. It would be best if you first got them used to walking and running by your side. Slowly but surely, increase your speed and distance. Build up your dog’s endurance and stamina so that he or she can go the distance you will be going.

Socialize your dog. This will prevent your dog from getting distracted when you are out on a run, and other people and/ or dogs are around you. A distracted dog can cause major problems for you, and your walk or run will not be enjoyable.

Be mindful of the temperature outside and on the pavement. Physical activity outside with your dog should be safe and since the weather in the RGV is mostly warm, sticking to the early morning or late evening hours is your best bet. Remember, dogs cannot cope that well with heat due to their reduced number of sweat glands.

Just like we choose running shoes to make our walking or running easier, think about your dog’s paws. The more cushioned the ground, the better for them. Dogs’ paws can become sore when they walk or run on the hot asphalt.

Here are the breeds that are perfect to have as running partners:

Weimaraner – this breed tends to be high-energy, active, and intelligent

Dalmatian – this breed is strong, active, athletic, and has great stamina

Vizsla – this breed is high-energy and has great stamina

German Shorthaired Pointer – this breed is energetic, fast, and can withstand a high-mileage run

Rhodesian Ridgeback – this breed is athletic, powerful, and loves to run

English Springer Spaniel – this breed tends to love exercise

Doberman Pinscher – this breed is fast, lean, muscular, and loves to run

American Foxhound – this breed is usually energetic and loves to exercise

Saluki – this breed is thin, but it is one of the fastest breeds in the world

Belgian Malinois – this breed is a working breed and has the capability to run long distances

Certain dog breeds are a huge no-no to have as running partners. These breeds are the Pug, British Bulldog, and French Bulldog. They all have very short muzzles, which limits their breathing, and their bodies have difficulty cooling down when the weather is warm.

For the most part, despite your dog’s breed and size, it should still get some exercise. As long as you use common sense and know the type of dog you have, you and your dog can enjoy some type of physical activity, even if it is indoors.

Dr. Castro is a proud Catholic who is a husband, father, and educator born and raised in the RGV. He is a graduate of Northcentral University with a doctorate in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership. He also holds a Master of Science in Sociology from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Castro’s current research focuses on Education, Crime and Deviance, and Race and Ethnicity. He is also the owner of the K&B Dog Learning Cener, Inc. www.kbdoglearningcenter.com