The miniature Aussiedoodle is an adorable hybrid mix of the Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Miniature Poodle. The offspring of the two is an irresistible small dog. If you lead an active lifestyle, you may be wondering if this cute little dog can be your running companion.
As a general rule, Adult Mini Aussiedoodles can accompany you on your jogs. They are high-energy dogs that need 40-60 minutes of daily exertion. While they may not always have the stamina for extended, intense runs, endurance training can certainly make them a good partner for jogs or short runs.
Before you take your new Mini Aussiedoodle out for a jog, it is essential to understand the breed’s health requirements to ensure that you aren’t pushing their physical strength.
When Can I Run with My Mini Aussiedoodle?
Mini Aussiedoodles are small to medium dogs that stand 12-18 inches high and weigh between 15 and 35 pounds. Since both their parents are active breeds, Aussiedoodles need lots of physical and mental stimulation. On average, your new puppy will need at least an hour of playtime every day.
While you can start walking your puppy as soon as they come home, it is best to observe their stamina and energy levels as they grow. With the right increments in walks along with agility training, your dog should be good to go for jogs – or possibly runs – at one year of age.
It is recommended that you do not push them to go on long jogs or runs before they are 1 year old since this can risk damage to their tender puppy bones.
It is also important to note that your dog’s running capabilities may depend on their temperament and individual personality. Some dogs love to run, while others don’t. The ideal way to find out is to start with a walking and running combination to build some endurance and see whether your dog seems to enjoy it.
Your puppy may grow up to be the running kind, or they might want to spend their energy playing fetch in the backyard. Many things will become clear to you within a few months of owning a new puppy; their energy levels are one of these things.
Is It Safe to Run with a Mini Aussiedoodle?
Given that your dog is at least 1 year old and has had the right endurance training, it can be completely safe to run with them. Starting small and playing off of your dog’s stamina is the key.
That being said, it is indeed safe for small dogs to run because they weigh less and therefore put less strain on their legs and joints while they run.
If we look at the Mini Aussiedoodle’s parents, there don’t seem to be any major issues when it comes to taking them on short runs. The Mini Australian Shepherd makes for a good running partner, albeit not as strong as the Standard Australian Shepherd.
The Miniature Aussie might have less stamina than its larger counterparts, but it still does have the speed and stamina to run. The same goes for Mini Poodles. They can run just like Standard Poodles can, but they are well-suited to running at a slower pace.
They should ideally not be taken on long-distance sprints, but they are great for jogs and shorter runs.
Tips to Safely Run with Your Mini Aussiedoodle
Your Aussiedoodle might just become your favorite running partner. Most dogs love to run and will be eager to accompany you wherever you go, but it will be up to you to decide a safe running pace and distance for them.
- Start slow – The best way to run safely for your Mini Aussiedoodle is to train them and build their stamina slowly. Start with running for 2 minutes, and then walking for the same amount of time. Gradually increase the running time up to 5 minutes. Frequent walk breaks are a great idea even after your dog is a well-seasoned athlete!
- Make sure you stop first – Simply because your dog is continuing to run with you doesn’t mean that they should. Dogs are known to get overly excited and do things like overeat or overexert themselves, only to get sick later.
So even if your Mini Aussiedoodle seems to want to keep running, you should give them frequent breaks in between. A good rule of thumb is to see whether your dog keeps up with you or lagging behind. If it is the latter, their energy might be giving away despite their heightened excitement. - Run-on soft surfaces – Running on concrete is bad both for your dog and you! It can be hard on the joints, which is why you should always pick softer surfaces like grass or asphalt trails to run.
However, be careful of running on uneven surfaces since your dog can potentially damage their paw pads with stones or other sharp objects. - Avoid extended training runs – If you are a regular runner, you might want to go on long sprints with your dog. However, it is better to stick to your human running partners when it comes to these extended training runs.
Dogs, especially miniature breeds, are usually suited to running for up to 2-5 miles. Some breeds might be suited to run a little more, but they definitely should not running marathons! Take them along for your morning jog or quick evening run only. - Keep them hydrated – Keeping a dog water bottle along will ensure that you don’t dehydrate your dog, especially in the summer months. Take frequent breaks and offer them water. Also, keep an eye on your dog’s breathing.
Physical exercise should never get to a point where your dog is uncontrollably panting or hyperventilating.
All in all, miniature dogs like Aussiedoodles can certainly enjoy a run. However, as a responsible owner, you must only take them along on runs when they are an appropriate age, watch out for their stamina, and keep your runs short and fun for them!