Canicross

Among the wide range of sports we can practise together with our dog, canicross stands out, a highly healthy sport for both them and us.

But as with any sport, we need to bear a series of considerations in mind to stop our dog suffering injuries or health problems. So let's look at what they are and how to put them into practice.

What Is Canicross?

This is a sport where human and dog form a perfect pairing. The dog will be attached to their human via a special harness, and both will run at the same pace.

You could say it's a kind of "jogging" where our dog will accompany us the whole way and even pull us along.

This sport arrived in Spain a couple of decades ago, and nowadays official races are organised across Spain. It's an exemplary sport, respectful of nature.

What's the Best Breed for Canicross?

We need to bear in mind that although we can do canicross at our own pace and with no limits, official races generally cover between ten and twenty kilometres over flat and mountain routes.

For this reason alone, sled dogs such as the Husky or hunting dogs such as the Braco are, broadly speaking, excellent companions for this sport.

We should entirely rule out very small and very large dogs, as well as puppies and dogs over eight years old (senior).

Mandatory Care for Our Dog

Doing canicross isn't something to take lightly, since our dog will run alongside us until they collapse from exhaustion, something that could kill them.

That's why we need to bear in mind a series of super important precautions that we should never skip:

• Never run in temperatures above twenty degrees
• Start gradually, increasing the distance as the months go by
• Use a specific canicross belt and a special harness on our dog (never a collar).
• Have our dog undergo a vet check-up confirming they're fit for canicross
• Never run right after eating (it can cause gastric torsion)

Don't get it wrong — not every dog can practise canicross. Dogs with dysplasia, ligament or muscle tears, illness, puppies, elderly dogs, dogs with a limp, or simply brachycephalic dogs should never, under any circumstances, do this sport.

How to Start Practising Canicross With My Dog?

Once our dog is around a year old, we can start going out running with them gradually — that is, we can start by running one or two kilometres.

Once a few weeks have passed, we can start gradually increasing the distance, to three or four kilometres. And so on, never forcing our dog.

We need to use a specific canicross belt, pulling lead and harness system — under no circumstances use everyday walking leads/collars.

And we should always do it at dawn or dusk, never during the hottest hours (midday). And never if the ambient temperature is above twenty degrees (we could kill our dog with heatstroke).

It's entirely normal for our dog to pull us along — that's the basic essence of canicross. So remember they'll tire three times as fast as us and will never want to stop; it's your responsibility to look after their health and know when to rest.

Benefits of Doing Canicross With Our Dog

Exercising with our dog isn't just healthy for us and for them — it's also very positive for strengthening our bond and even for their socialisation.

Doing it now and then, without overdoing it, avoiding heat, and always when their health allows it, is something specialists fully recommend. It will keep their immune system strong and their physical fitness in good shape.

So get out there and take your dog for a walk, walk briskly and end up doing a little jogging with them — you'll see how before long you get hooked on canicross and never think about going out running without your little companion again.