just thinking ahead for when sir is fully grown (well physically :D)

at the moment whilst he is growing he has nylon collars, once he fills out what is the best type of collar to have?

the other question is at some point when my fitness levels improve (many many months ahead) when can i go running with sir? he is 10 months old (boxer) and at the moment we are still careful with the amounts of exercise he gets.  can't imagine i will ever run much more than 2 miles and i wasn't sure if it was best to wait til he is 18mths-2years old??  i wasnt planning on running always with him just now and again. 

this does depend on whether i can keep the motivation going and how bad sir is when accompanying me, might try the once and decide to go solo.

thanks

:-)

I like nylon collars for adult dogs too - soft and comfortable, and easily washed!  As for the fitness I can't help - I'm not experienced enough with your breed. sorry.

I would wait until he is at least 18 months old. When you start running with him build up the distance and speed gradually. Remember to do some warm up exercises with him before you set off on a run. Do not do much running on hard surfaces, do not run in hot weather, and watch very carefully for signs of over-exertion.

I feel quite worn out myself at the thought:-)

thanks for the replies.

it will mainly be running on hard surfaces, in which case i think i will leave the running as i dont want to hurt his joints long term (dont mind about my mine :-))

at the moment he gets two twenty five mins walks with playing and training at home, with a couple of off lead runs on fields.

at what age would you suggest its okay to go further? we would build up gradually but if he was walking for say 50 minutes could we then go straight to 1.5 hours?

i'm looking forward to the longers walks (will help waistline) but think sir is content to sleep and cuddle.:rolleyes:

thanks

IMHO no large dog should have unlimited exercise until it is at least 18 months old; prior to this full ossification of bones is incomplete; not only this but muscling up is vital in order to protect both ligaments and tendons from injury.

As a previous poster said, one of the biggest concerns is the fact that many dogs are taken to their place of exercise in a car, the door is opened and off they go.  I doubt if many of the owners would approach any sort of exercise in this way without doing some warming up and stretching exercises; also it does not do much for dogs self control.

FWIW I keep my dogs on a lead for the first 500 yards or so of their exercise in order that they are fully warmed up before they go tearing off in all directions; I also do the same for the last 500 yards for a warm down.  This may sound extreme to some but my view is an ounce of prevention..............................

thanks Tohme for the reply.

look forward to longer walks in winter when he will be 18months plus. (i should be fitter by then)

we tend to walk him first on the field before he is let loose (this is usually to check the field is clear) the recall is pretty good with two of us and ok if a dog is in the distance but he would charge of to see another dog and ignore us if the dog was nearer, which is not what we want to happen.

he is only ever of lead for 10 minutes and then back on the lead when its time to depart.

thankfully where we take him is secure, quiet and big fields (it's the county police headquarters)
so only village locals tend to take their dogs and the occasional golfer practising.

thanks again

:-)