SamK

I have heard differing opinions from breeders about the age and distance a dog should be running at:

One opinion is that running with the dog too far too young will cause bone problems later; therefore, don't do more than 1 km up to 9 months and then increase to max 6 kms by 15 months. Thereafter increase distance according to ability and requirement.

Another opinion is that dogs are naturally able to run from young and will let you know when they have had enough.

What is your view?

DogsR4Life

Personally, why risk it? Take it slow and allow the growth plates to close, what do you have to lose? I think there are quite a few studies supporting the theory of too much exercise in puppies can cause bone related deformities or diseases.

How old is your puppy?

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SamK

Thanks for the view.

He's about 4 weeks - he's only moving in when he's 8 or 9 weeks old.

PatchworkRobot

I also am one of the "why risk it" people.

Also, there is a huge difference between a dog running for hours on its own and forced running. Many dogs, dobermans included, are pleasers. Your puppy will likely run with you on a leash (once leash trained) as long as you want just to make you happy - that doesn't mean that the dog doesn't want to stop. My boy would run around all day long when he was younger but he would be able to turn and slow down and speed up as well as choose when to stop and go again - something that the dog is not able to do when out jogging with their owner.

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AlyssaN

I understand that there should be no running until 18 months.

At all.

Walks can be done at 5 minutes for every month, i.e., 20 minutes for 4 months.

Too much forced exercise can be very damaging on their growth plates. Forced exercise being anything with a repetitive motion, regardless of whether or not they enjoy it.

Please don't run with your dog for another year and a half.

Julie W

It's really a no-brainer that you wait to start any kind of repetitive physical exercise with ANY animal until a certain level of physical maturity is reached. In a medium/large breed like a doberman that is around 18 months old.

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lhr

In comparison, it has been said and studied that kids should not lift weights( weight train) till 17-19 years old because of growth spurts and the human body growing.
Same applies to any animals. Dog don't fully mature till 12-18 months.
Why risk it? I could not do anything that may even have a remote risk of causing harm down the road. They are already not with us long enough.

just my .02