Jogging with a GSD - Page 1

When can I start jogging with my GSD?  I hear if I jog with him too soon it can harm his hips.  Is this true?  Should I never jog with him?  He is approx 8 1/2- 9 mos.  Weighs 70 pounds. 

I think it's best to wait till the dog is 12 months old to start running or jumping heights taller than the dog at the withers, or you can damage the dog's joints/growth plates. Early jogging/jumping can create a higher risk for dysplasia or arthritis.

This is my second GSD and I started running short distances when they were10.5 mths to 11 mths. old. My first GSD died at about 9 years due to a freak accident and ran with me all his life till the day he died for about 3-3.5 miles every weekday morning. My current male is a little over 2 years old and does the same. In addition I also play with him with the ball for about 40mins- 1hr. everyday during the week besides going for walks on a daily basis. On weekends he gets more exercise. He is outside during the day when we go to work and indoors at night and when we get home. This seems to keep him reasonably calm.

I am a life time runner and ran with my female shepherd most of her life.

If you can I like them  to run off leash so they get there own pace. In the wild wolves rarely run at the same pace for miles and miles. But rather run stop, sniff go faster then slower. Obviously not everyone has that luxury.

At this young age I would be mindful of his growth plates and over stressing. However I would start with short walk/runs under 1 mile. They need to be conditioned just like we do. Starting slowly and short distances will build strength, endurance and eventually a running partner without compare.

I currently have a male shepherd 12 months and have just felt comfortable letting him go 3 miles. He's big boned and I was concerned with his growth plates.

Good luck

Growth plates for dogs close on the average at:

  Proximal epiphysis of the humerus 10 to 13 months
  Distal epiphysis of the humerus 6 to 8 months
  Proximal epiphysis of the radius 6 to 11 months
  Distal epiphysis of the radius 8 to 12 months
  Olecranon of the ulna 6 to 10 months
  Distal epiphysis of the ulna 8 to 12 months
  Proximal epiphysis of teh femur 7 to 11 months
  Trochanter major of the femur 6 to 10 months
  Trochanter minor 8 to 13 months
  Distal epiphysis of the femur 8 to 11 months
  Lateral condyle of the tibia 6 to 12 months
  Distal epiphysis of the tibia 8 to 11 months
  Proximal epiphysis of the fibula 8 to 12 months
  Distal epiphysis of the fibula 7 to 12 months

However I tend to err on the side of caution so would not jog with a dog until it was 18 months old.

thank you all for the insight.  I will wait until he is 18mos.