I have a Springer Spaniel and I take him running with me. They are a dog with boundless energy so do they make good running partner? That’s my Springer Spaniel, Bradley in the photo!
You can go running with your Springer Spaniel. Running is an excellent activity for Springer Spaniels as they are highly energetic, intelligent and curious dogs. Physical activity is not only good for them and their physical wellness, but it is also one of the best ways to keep your dog mentally active and mentally healthy.
In this article, I want to answer any questions you might have regarding running with your Springer Spaniel. I will discuss the distance you should run and at what speed. After that, I will also be taking a look at four more things that you need to know before setting out on your first run with your Springer Spaniel. So, for everything that you need to know, keep reading.
How Much Exercise Should A Springer Spaniel Get?
A Springer Spaniel should get around 2 hours of exercise every day. This exercise is not only to keep them in good physical shape but also to keep them mentally active. I understand that taking two hours out of your day every day can be challenging for some people. It is for this reason that you should pace not only yourself but your dog as well.
Running for 2 hours a day or even walking for that long is not sustainable for very long. It would be best if you were to mix up the exercises that you do. You can either do one hour of playtime in the morning and one hour of running in the afternoon or at night. Whatever is best for you and your dog is excellent. Sustainability is of the utmost importance. You see this a lot of times when people start exercising.
When people start doing an activity such as running, they overdo it initially and try and build an unsustainable routine. An unsustainable routine is one of the fastest ways that people drop out of doing the activity altogether.
How Far Should You Run With a Springer Spaniel?
In general, a Springer Spaniel can run up to 7 miles per session. However, this needs to be done with regular breaks taken at the right time. Most dogs can, in fact, run between 5 and 7 miles a day. If you can work out a good routine for your dog where they don’t get too tired because you are taking the right amount of breaks, you can increase this distance slightly.
Remember, just as it is with humans, your Springer Spaniel can be overworked at some point. It is not advisable to immediately start running 5 miles with your Springer Spaniel. Instead, it would be best if you allowed them to build up to that distance over time. It is recommended that you start with a 1-mile run and slowly build up to 5 miles over a few weeks.
How Fast Can A Springer Spaniel Run?
Every dog is different. While Springer Spaniels share certain typical personality traits, it is hard to say that every dog can run at a certain speed. However, we can give you an answer that considers the average speed that a Springer Spaniel can run.
A Springer Spaniel can run on average 25 miles per hour. I understand that seems fast, so you should not worry about outpacing your Springer Spaniel. The problem is that they can only run fast over short distances, say 100 or 200 m at a time. If you are trying to accomplish a 5-mile run, I would not advise allowing your Springer Spaniel to run that fast at all during the session.
If you run with your spaniel at an average jogging pace, then you will cover more distance, and you will keep their brains active for longer. Keeping their minds busy should be the ultimate goal of exercising with your Springer Spaniel.
4 Things to Know When Running With a Springer Spaniel
The fact that you are reading this leads me to believe that you have not yet gone on a run with your Springer Spaniel. In this section, I will be highlighting a few things that you need to know if you plan on running with your dog. This section applies to almost every breed of dog. This means that whether or not you have a Springer Spaniel, I recommend that you keep reading. Here are a few things that we are going to discuss in this section.
- Take enough breaks.
- Take water for your dog.
- Springer spaniels are intelligent.
- Make sure that the dog knows that you are in charge.
Take Reasonably Timed Breaks
As discussed in this article, you must start by running short distances and building up to long distances. This same logic applies to how often you should take a break while running with your dog.
In the beginning, you want to allow your dog to rest every three or four hundred meters. At first, this might not seem very pleasant to you. After all, we can usually run a lot further before having to slow down, but dogs are built differently. Dogs can exert large amounts of energy in short periods. You are trying to train your dog for endurance.
Over time, you can start taking fewer breaks, say every 800m to 1 mile.
Try to Take Water With For Your Dog
While taking these breaks, you want to make sure that your Springer Spaniel stays hydrated. You would have noticed that when your dog starts getting hot or tired, they stick their tongue out and take deep breaths. Doing this can cause dry mouth, so make sure that you take water with you.
It is as simple as taking a bottle of water and making sure that you have some type of water bowl. How you carry this water bowl is up to you. Remember, it can be tiny.
Sometimes you may find that your dog refuses to drink water. If they do this it this does not mean that the dog does not need it. You might have to try a few tricks to get them to drink that water. So, here are a few ideas.
- Use positive reinforcement by giving them a treat when they drink.
- Allow them to get used to the bowl by using it while not running.
- Place a treat in the bowl of water.
Springer Spaniels Are Curious and Intelligent
It would be best if you remembered that Springer Spaniels are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. This intelligence comes with immense curiosity. For these reasons, you should always keep an eye on your Springer Spaniel while running, especially if you do not have them on a leash which is not advisable.
You might find that your Springer Spaniel can get easily distracted by even the slightest sounds, sites, and smells. You want to train them to be focused on you and the activity they are busy doing rather than drifting off.
Your Springer Spaniel Must Know That You Are In Charge
This section applies to all dogs when taking them on walks, jogs, or runs. You want your Springer Spaniel to know that you are in charge. Your Springer Spaniel must follow you. This section also leads off from the previous section, where we discussed the dog’s curiosity and intelligence.
Please don’t allow your dog to drift off. It is also essential that you train your dog to run at your pace. The last thing you want is for your dog to be pulling you. It might seem harmless at first, but there will come a time when your dog thinks they are in charge, which can become problematic for you and your dog.
Conclusion
To sum up my final thoughts, I would say that taking your Springer Spaniel for a run every now and then is great for both of you. However, you must know what you are doing before you go on your run. Remember, your safety and the dog’s safety should always be on your mind. Always keep a lookout for pedestrians and vehicles on the road. With all of that being said, remember to have fun.
