My friend who does a lot of long-distance running, hiking, biking, etc is starting to “shop” for her next dog (her 14 yr old JRT is starting to slow down). Breed suggestions that can keep up with lots of exercise?
JRTs!
Most dogs can be active. I would go to a shelter and look for a young(ish) mutt, most of the cross breeds have some type of shepherd, lab, greyhound, bully, terrier etc. and running often is the best things for these kind of dogs.
My husband trained for Boston Marathon with our ACD/JRT mix (more ACD, she is 45lbs) some time ago. She could manage about 13 miles (not on pavement, on dirt trails). He’d plan a loop where he could put her in the house quickly and keep going. She’s now very arthritic, in multiple joints and her spine, I’ve no doubt all the running had something to do with it. Then again she is 17 years old and all major organs working as they should. We have to carry her up and downstairs and lift her in and out of cars.
She also did Frisbee competitions with my then teenaged son for several years, all that jumping probably didn’t help her joints.
That dog was go, go, go, go, go (a million times this). I biked and ran many miles with her as well. There was not enough exercise on the planet for her ;). She’s still here, amazingly, but she can barely walk. She INSISTS on having a “walk” every day. It’s about 1/2 a mile total, at a snails pace, but if we don’t provide it, there is hell to pay.
GSP (German Shorthaired Pointer)-- unless she really favors small dogs. GSP’s are nuclear energy, a perpetual blast to be with. The question would be if she would keep up with the dog, not if the dog could keep up with lots of exercise. Look them up on youtube and you’ll see what I mean. (I’m a GSP addict-- 68 years old, got my first when I was five, “rescued” my 8th last April-- another phenomenal dog who rescued me more than I did her.)
I know some flyball people breeding border collies with American Staffordshire terriers…now THOSE dogs have some get up and go-go-go!
weimaraners!
they have boundless enthusiasm and energy and have a long enough stride to keep a good pace with.
[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;7470802]
Most dogs can be active. I would go to a shelter and look for a young(ish) mutt, most of the cross breeds have some type of shepherd, lab, greyhound, bully, terrier etc. and running often is the best things for these kind of dogs.[/QUOTE]
This is kind of what I said to her at first, then I looked at my newf cross rescue and laughed… yeah, he wouldn’t be a good match for long distance running (and you definitely wouldn’t want to have to carry him home!!). She has a JRT, but I think she would like something a little less neurotic this time.
Dalmatian ?
Brittany - in fact, I think Runners World (or some other running magazine) did a story on the best training dogs some years back and Brittany was ranked “ultra-marathoner”.
I hate trying to run with my dog - I know it would be good for him (and me) but I am not even close to being able to maintain even his easy pace…my easy pace these days is around 10:00…his easy pace is probably about 7:00…but he would probably go faster/longer if anyone could keep up with him. (And then make you feel like a total loser by not even being out of breath). 
I remember watching a stupid Dogs 101 on Ridgebacks and they found a marathon-running couple with a pack of Ridgies.
What size does your friend want? Hair length? Level of sharpness?
Viszlas, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, apparently Belgians (:winkgrin: my Rejected thread), Dalmations, Brittany Spaniels, German Shorthaired Pointers, Coonhounds/Foxhounds/leggy hounds, Border Collies, Aussies, Border Terriers, etc etc.
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;7471202]
I remember watching a stupid Dogs 101 on Ridgebacks and they found a marathon-running couple with a pack of Ridgies.
What size does your friend want? Hair length? Level of sharpness?
Viszlas, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, apparently Belgians (:winkgrin: my Rejected thread), Dalmations, Brittany Spaniels, German Shorthaired Pointers, Coonhounds/Foxhounds/leggy hounds, Border Collies, Aussies, Border Terriers, etc etc.[/QUOTE]
Ditto all, but I’d also add Weimaraners - those dogs are built for long distance treks and go for hours. My uncle has had two.
I’m gonna second the Rhodesian Ridgeback these dogs are popular with marathon runners and can go the distance. With any dog you get back what you invest so the first year training is key. Also she does need to take into consideration that the dog needs to be 18months old before really doing any structured running so there joints are fully developed. That doesn’t mean the dog on its own in the yard can’t run around free will as much as it wants. Having said this there are RR rescues where an adult can be found in need of a good home.
Want to agree the German shorthair, and Weimaraner could also be good choices. I advise caution being very careful when selecting a Weimaraner I know of several with extreme separation anxiety and other breeding related health issues including autoimmune problems. They are stunning dogs and one of my favorites but have been bred indiscriminately by some.
The above suggestions are all great, so I’m going to throw something kind of off-the-wall: an American Eskimo dog.
In college, my now-DH had one; she was the gamest, most energetic dog I’ve ever known. She wasn’t crazy-hyper (like I associate with JRTs) but just had boundless energy reserves.
We rollerbladed 3-5 miles at a time several days per week for those years, plus hiked and biked with her, and she was always out front, tugging on the leash. When we got home, she’d flop down and nap, but while out and about she never, ever stopped. She would settle into a trot and just go and go and go. She did okay in heat, but we were careful. I wouldn’t consider this option if you’re somewhere very hot and muggy.
They’re pretty small dogs under all that fluff, and they’re more active and game than their “cute-little-white-fluff” exterior lets on.
huskies or a pointer? both breeds are bred to run, run, run forever. One option is to go to a shelter and ask for a dog turned in for having “too much energy”.
Other than deformed breeds (squashed faces, bowed legs, dwarfed) and sighthounds (bred to sprint short distances), practically all dogs can easily run 26 miles after fittening work.
The only other concern is overheating- dogs bred to work in cold conditions (cold water dogs like labs, cold weather dogs like huskies) are more heat-sensitive than other dogs.
Look for breeds that are made to run all day. My first thoughts would be pointer types (GSP, Weim, etc), sight hounds, scent hounds, Dalmations (have to watch temperament), herding breeds, or huskies. Also factor in environment with the husky. They are made for distances in Alaska, not Arizona.
I also think a pointer or one of the bird dog breeds would love to be a runners companion. I’ve had GSP’s for over 20 yrs and they thrive on activity. They can hunt all day and still be ready to play. they also have a great temperament and love their people.
[QUOTE=fish;7470810]
GSP (German Shorthaired Pointer)-- unless she really favors small dogs. GSP’s are nuclear energy, a perpetual blast to be with. The question would be if she would keep up with the dog, not if the dog could keep up with lots of exercise. Look them up on youtube and you’ll see what I mean. (I’m a GSP addict-- 68 years old, got my first when I was five, “rescued” my 8th last April-- another phenomenal dog who rescued me more than I did her.)[/QUOTE]
Yup. Great dogs; we got our first a year ago. My husband does marathon hikes and she adores them. Super dog, but I think only suited for someone living in the country, and very active. Watching her run is a thing of beauty. She is either busy or asleep on the couch. She has a great temperament and gets along with everything and everyone.
Siberian husky.
I do 20K bike rides with my German Shepherds, with proper prep & training, of course. I bike, they trot. Actually, a 20k trot is a requirement for a breed survey.
Here’s a helpful guide for anyone wanting to correctly get their dog fit: http://siriusdog.com/ausdauerprufung-ad.htm
Great point about the Huskies! Duh! Why didn’t I think of that? 
There is a wide range of suitable types. I think we need to refine what the owner is looking for in size, coat, temperament, etc.
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;7471859]
There is a wide range of suitable types. I think we need to refine what the owner is looking for in size, coat, temperament, etc.[/QUOTE]
Agreed - what kind of dog do you want for the rest of the day?
Size, temperament, hair/coat preference…
Your climate will make a big difference even if you had a preference for one type over another - a Rhodesian should do well running in a warm climate but not a Husky. I often think about some of the heavier coated breeds in Florida and other warm states. They must be miserable!
