Hey,

just wondering if anyone has tried canicross with their dogs? I find it quite interesting, might give it a go... that's once i've saved up for the equipment and got my ankle finally sorted out 100%

Ooh ClaireyS does it.. A lot of it!!!

I've just read a bit about it and Penny would be perfect (maybe a bit too fast for me :-) )... i might strap up my ankle and give it a go at the beach for now as i don't think i can run on too uneven ground just yet.

I do it :) ....... and bikejoring

Dont buy the expensive stuff yet, go to a few runs and make sure you like it first.  I started of with a cheap bum bag style walking belt then went onto a waist belt like this http://www.snowpawstore.com/canicross/cani-belt/deluxe-walking-belt.html  but found with two large dogs pulling me it was digging into my bottom rib so went onto this one https://www.canix.co.uk/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=16, it was described to me as the rollsroyce of running belts and it really is so comfortabe, it isnt cheap but I use mine a few times a week and then obviously for competitions.  I started my boys off on normal harnesses but to be honest if your dog pulls properly you do need a decent harness that fits properly.  I run my Setters in the x-back harness https://www.canix.co.uk/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=19 and ive just got my Kelpie on of these https://www.canix.co.uk/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=379 purely because it seemed to fit him better than the x-back. 

The season starts again in September, you can find details here http://cani-cross.co.uk/cc_calendar.shtml everyone is really friendly, we usually camp over for the weekend events ....... considering its supposed to be promoting a healthy lifestyle we do tend to knock back a few beers ;)

thanks for all the tips...

sounds like fun i used to go running and was really active before i tore all my ankle ligaments in january this year so i am still not 100% and have to start slowly again...

well Penny should have been a husky pulling a sledge but she turned out to be a border collie :-) pulling like mad if i let her (i should attach a kyte to my back and she can pull me up in the air and i can fly)... Dexter isn't too bothered, he's too chilled and will only run for about 100 yards and then just can't be bothered anymore (the weirdest border collie concerining running and walking) but he's only 8 months so far too young to do this kind of sport anyway.

i had a look at the canix shop website and have seen the expensive stuff... this will have to wait. as you suggested i might get one of those cheaper belts and hook the leash onto that. does the leash have to be longer than a usual leash or will any leash do? i will have to get a harness though. i've got one for the car but the straps are wider than the usual harnesses and might cut into the arm pits when she's running and i certainly wouldn't want that...

i have to check if there are some runs up here in the lake district or sourroundings and see if i can join them but i will have to get my fitness levels up to scratch again first...but i certainly want to give it a go.

I dont think it matters how long the lead is, most people use bungy leads or leads with a bit of bungy in them. 

I dont know if you will find many runs near you, I think the nearest would be Northumberland which I dont think is all that close to the lake district is it ? We do travel to runs, in fact in October we are off to Belgium to compete the the european championships !!

I'll have a shop around then...

I've had a look on e-bay for the cross back harnesses. There's a person offering them for 13 quid and they make them by hand don't know how sturdy they are but they seem to be ok...

Northumberland is a bit closer to the Newcastle area I think. Maybe i'll just have to train in the forests around here and maybe animate some friends and their 4-legged buddies :-)

Wow Belgium is a fair distance to travel for a race... I've read on the Canix website... the races are all over Europe which is great...Originally I am from Germany and where I used to live we've got loads of forresty tracks but I think there are no canix teams/runners. Next time I'll drive over there with the pooches I shall give these tracks a go.

Hi Penster,

Would recommend you do shop around as you should be able to get kitted out for canicross (belt, line & harness) for no more money than the price of a good pair of running shoes.  Custom-made canicross equipment is available from www.kisi.co.uk, while more generic kit is readily available from www.snowpawstore.com or www.culpeppers.co.uk.

If you are buying a harness, make sure you measure your Border Collie correctly.  Most problems with equipment, especially harnesses stem from people being sold badly-fitting pieces of kit.  By the way, running lines to attach yourself to your dog should not exceed 2m when extended, if you are using them for competition.  This is a general canicross rule.

There are not too many races currently occurring in the Cumbria area, but last May (23rd May, to be precise) there was a 10k canicross event that took place at Keswick as part of the Keswick Mountain Festival.  It was, in fact, the first of the Saloman 10k Forest Trails, a series of general running events that accepted canicrossers.  The inclusion of canicrossers at these events generated much interest from 'unaided' runners, so perhaps you might want to improve your fitness with your local running club if your dog-owning friends are not ready to be 'animated'.

The European Championships are a weekend-long event held every year in October.  The host country changes each year:  this year it is Belgium; in 2011 it will be Poland; in 2012 (Olympic year) it will be held in Britain, at Exeter.  As Germany currently has no representation with the European Canicross Federation (ECF), you should be eligible to enter as an individual (if you choose to do so).  Applicants from Britain currenty have to apply to represent Team UK via CaniX.

Next week sees the start of the Trophée des Montagnes in the French Alps: a series of 11 races held over 9 days with 150 canicross competitors from all over Europe.  Check out the progress of Team GB and everyone else via www.tropdesmon.org

Good luck with regaining full fitness.  If you are interested in trying longer-distance canicross (10k and upwards) then take a look at www.canicross.org.uk

MfG

DagglesDogs

Hi dagglesdogs,

thanks for all the comprehensive info. I've had a look at snowpawstore before and they offer a set off a cross back harness, belt and lead for max 75 quid which is ok i suppose...but i shall browse around a bit further. Do the harnesses have to be snug on the dog's body or do they sit like a neck collar with 2-3 fingers width between dog and collar?

I've just been on a little 30 min run with Penny on a normal padded harness with the lead in my hand and she did really well. She looked like she's so into it. No fussing about on the lead just plain running and pulling me gently. Both of us enjoyed it very much. I shall keep doing this.

As you said before starting these big long runs I do have to increase my fitness levels. I can easily run 45-60 mins without any training but after that I am struggling so I have to start slowly with increasing the distance. I think until I can enter proper competitions, I need some more prep time :-). I didn't know that there were such big competitions out there for Canix.

I might put an add up at the local pet shop and also get in touch with people from my dog training classes and my vet... you never know.

Thanks again for the advice.

MfG

Penster