Exercise For Staffies

[twinkle]

hi, i have and 8year old bitch staffy (english)

over the years life has got much busier for me now i have children, and i dont have as much time for her, i walk her evryday but its not always a off lead run on the beach, sometimes just to the shops on her lead. so my DH and i have started taking her for little runs occasionaly, one of us on the bike and her running, its a lot quicker than walking and good exercise (she is a little over weight) she gets pretty out of breath but will slow if she needs to. but then i wondered whether constant running as appose to walking could be bad for her? anyone know? thanks

[Staffyluv]

Staffords are pretty robust creatures, so a run is probably better than a walk... If it is on limited time.

However, I have never been a fan of running dogs on concrete (paths etc) - it is no good for their joints. Ollie runs (very occasionally) at the park, on the grass. We walk at the park, probably one third of the walk is on the path and the rest is on the grass, much kinder to the old boys joints walking on soft ground. He is 10 now and still loves his walks - half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening.

You say your girl is 8 years old, if she pulls up lame, you might want to try her on softer ground (if you aren't already).

[Kowai]

Staffords are pretty robust creatures, so a run is probably better than a walk... If it is on limited time.

However, I have never been a fan of running dogs on concrete (paths etc) - it is no good for their joints. Ollie runs (very occasionally) at the park, on the grass. We walk at the park, probably one third of the walk is on the path and the rest is on the grass, much kinder to the old boys joints walking on soft ground. He is 10 now and still loves his walks - half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening.

You say your girl is 8 years old, if she pulls up lame, you might want to try her on softer ground (if you aren't already).

Nothing like a good off-leash run at the park ;) I love just walking around and letting my dogs tear around - they can move so much faster than I can!

[twinkle]

Staffords are pretty robust creatures, so a run is probably better than a walk... If it is on limited time.

However, I have never been a fan of running dogs on concrete (paths etc) - it is no good for their joints. Ollie runs (very occasionally) at the park, on the grass. We walk at the park, probably one third of the walk is on the path and the rest is on the grass, much kinder to the old boys joints walking on soft ground. He is 10 now and still loves his walks - half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening.

You say your girl is 8 years old, if she pulls up lame, you might want to try her on softer ground (if you aren't already).

[/quote)

yeah i did mean on the concrete along the road and then on the bike path and its like constant 15mins or so running, so i guess thats not so good huh? but that is only occaisionaly like maybe pnce or twice a week if its got to the end of the day and she needs taking out, all other walks are walks to the beach and then off leash run and a paddle :wink: shes not a keen swimmer.

maybe i need to get on and perfect the fetch game to take place of running. thanks for your advice, didnt think of her joints but glad i asked :rolleyes: