Running mileage and the breed standard

Good_Karma · 08-29-2012, 05:12 PM

This question is for the experts on WLGSDs, or people who actually use their dogs for herding. When it is stated that the GSD should have a gait that is effortless and the dog can "run all day" working the herds, has anyone ever come up with a number on how many miles a day a working dog in his prime might run?

I'm just curious because Niko is now running over ten miles a day (not all at once) and I wonder if this is above or below what a typical working dog should be able to do.

Thanks for any help!

phgsd · 08-29-2012, 05:30 PM

Well - a working tending dog might run 8-12 miles in an hour on average. So at least 50+ miles in a day. But I wouldn't expect a dog to do that without serious conditioning.

**Castlemaid** · 08-29-2012, 06:28 PM

When I did the AD with Keeta, the Judge (originally from Germany), was saying that a tending dog will cover 40 to 50 kms a day (25 to 31 miles). Hence, the 20 km AD endurance test.

Good_Karma · 08-29-2012, 06:31 PM

Wow that is a lot of miles!! So I am not being cruel by running ten miles with him, whew .

Thank you for your help on this!

phgsd · 08-29-2012, 10:37 PM

In the HGH trial, each run is about an hour, and running at about 12 mph, that equals an AD. That's why HGH dogs don't have to do an AD for their breed survey.
Not to mention all the hours and miles run in training...

But no - I don't think 10 miles is too much to ask if the dog is fit and healthy.

08-29-2012, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,649	Running mileage and the breed standard This question is for the experts on WLGSDs, or people who actually use their dogs for herding. When it is stated that the GSD should have a gait that is effortless and the dog can "run all day" working the herds, has anyone ever come up with a number on how many miles a day a working dog in his prime might run? I'm just curious because Niko is now running over ten miles a day (not all at once) and I wonder if this is above or below what a typical working dog should be able to do. Thanks for any help! __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 3 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 4 years old

08-29-2012, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
phgsd Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 1,569	Well - a working tending dog might run 8-12 miles in an hour on average. So at least 50+ miles in a day. But I wouldn't expect a dog to do that without serious conditioning. __________________ Kira, Kessy, Djenga, Madina www.hghclubnortheast.com

08-29-2012, 06:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Castlemaid The Administrator from the Great White North, eh? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 11,175	When I did the AD with Keeta, the Judge (originally from Germany), was saying that a tending dog will cover 40 to 50 kms a day (25 to 31 miles). Hence, the 20 km AD endurance test. __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH

08-29-2012, 06:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,649	Wow that is a lot of miles!! So I am not being cruel by running ten miles with him, whew . Thank you for your help on this! __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 3 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 4 years old

08-29-2012, 10:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
phgsd Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 1,569	In the HGH trial, each run is about an hour, and running at about 12 mph, that equals an AD. That's why HGH dogs don't have to do an AD for their breed survey. Not to mention all the hours and miles run in training... But no - I don't think 10 miles is too much to ask if the dog is fit and healthy. __________________ Kira, Kessy, Djenga, Madina www.hghclubnortheast.com

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