exercise

[NEILPEM]

how much exercise, and what sort of exercise do you think is best,i know all dogs are individuals,ie some need more than others ,i think a good gallop beats walking,but obviously i do walk my dogs for maybe half hour to get them warmed up, or i have a little jog then let them free run ,you  know when they've had enough.

then on returning home i give them a little massage.

 

[Susan]

My hubby John has started getting our dogs out as the weather here has been very bad. We give the dogs a walk then when he gets back home we try and give them all some hand slips. Jed will only run to me, as when giving them some free running (one at a time) he will not leave my side. The dogs soon tell us when they have had enough all though Robbie will run,walk all day he is hyper active. The dogs seem to settle better when they have been out. On returning home they get a rub down and a chew bar, then sleep thank god.

 

[kipper fluke]

Neil as you quite rightly say all dogs require a different  amount of exercise according to their own particular make up and metabolism. What is good for one may do harm to another.I have 5 and all require a different format and even different kinds of food to obtain the maximum performance.Kipper for instance is a very lazy dog and would be quite happy just to roam around at a lesuirely pace.In order to get him fit we need for Harry to get his motor bike out on the sands where Kipper from being a pup has enjoyed chasing him some days for literally miles and when doing this never seems to tire.

Fluke and Coral are very alike and are very active, they would run all day especially after balls, the lure etc.

They are very competitive in everything and this is where Kipper is lacking. He's too much of a teddy bear and hasn't got the same fierce edge as them. The only time Kipper is up on his toes is at the sight of cats and rabbits. Kipper would be happy roaming the fields, he has all the qualities of a lurcher and so does Time our other puppy. Time is a very beautiful looking bitch, her body lends itself to running but she also doesn't seem to have the competitive edge required of her. She likes to hunt in the fields alongside the hedges with Kipper.

The only thing our two pups seem to have in common is no matter how much food they consume they don't put weight on but Fluke does.

The pups mother Crystal Bay can also eat what she likes without putting on weight , infact it is difficult to put weight on her.

I have found that the best form of exercise for all our dogs in general and myself is walking and occasional

bicycle work with a midweek run thrown in for good measure.But whatever you decide to do the most important thing is a stead- fast routine in my opinion.