How long after Running long distances should you feed a large breed??
Ebba runs with me for 5 miles so far, and I try to leave it about 1 1/2 hours until she is fed. But we stop running at 8pm.
Also I give her water straight after running. Is that ok, or will it cause problems.
The thing is, we humans drink as soon as get back, but also are actively encouraged to eat within half hour as this helps repair the musclkes after running. I know you shouldnt do this with dogs, so anyone that runs their dogs long distances know what I should do.
Lea.

You'll probably have to do some research on this one as there is a lot of different thoughts on it. I will tell you however what we have done in the years of owning working hunting hounds.
No cold water for 1/2 an hour at least, although they will drink a little from puddles en route, just like human runners drink from water stops, so I guess it's more of a case of, no large dishes of cold tap water :)
I feed a little in the morning for breakfast and a little 1hr after running in the evening. we have never ever seen any bloat in our dogs (touch wood)so wether this is what we are sopposed to do or not, we feel it works for us.
If they eat to soon and drink to much, they will be sick.
Hope this helps.

Thankyou. Thats what I thought. I pouit her straight back in the car if at running club as no dogs allowed on pitch, and then give her water when get home, about 20 mins later and feed 1 1/2 hours later.  But normally run in the day so Have water down constantly anyway, but  put fresh down as soon as she comes in and fed later in the day. Do you think warmer water would be ok where it has been down for a while? Or should I take it all up??
Lea.

Hi Lea,
It sounds like your not far wrong as you are, but yes, warm water that's been left down all day is IMO safer. We fill the mixing bowl dish in the morning and it's left all day as drink, then maybe at night we'll refill because it's empty, or that they're asking for it. if they have been out running, I ration carefully, just enough to wet the whistle. Once they have settled down in front of the fire, which can take 40 mins or more, I'll give them more.

I'd be interested to know what they do with racing greyhounds as they are deep chested.  I know that they soak their food a lot, and a lot of the rescue dogs have appalling teeth as a result of eating virtually pap.

True, they go faster than me and Ebba but shorter distances. Dont know if that makes a difference.
I am planning on building her up to run 15 miles, but also speed training!!!!
I used to own a grey hound. Her stomach was shot to pieces due to the bad food she had :(
Lea

It's years since we have been into rescue racing Greyhounds, but when we did, the Greyhounds we owned had good teeth, so maybe it varies from kennel to kennel and area preferance. If a trainer thinks he's found a miracle food mixture though that makes his dogs faster, he'll go with it and I've heard of some pretty strange mixtures :(
They do use wet mixes which is like a hot mash though.

I don't know much about running with your dog but when I have taken mine out for a good run around the park (and I mean he runs for like 1 1/2 hours) I let him have a few sips when he gets back and then I take it up for a good half hour.  He drinks it much slower then, as if I just let him have what he wanted as soon as we got back he would trough the whole bowl down and then I imagine be sick :rolleyes:  He is also a deep chested breed so I try to be aware about minimising any risks of bloat.

well all i know is that if my hounds are working then they dont get fed for about 3 hourse eitherside.....and for the foxhounds then they get fed the night before hunting and late evening after returning to their lodges. Our coursing dogs also have some electrolyes after a hard course.

Ok, I am taking all your advice.
Aparty from Thursday where we got in from a 5 miler, but I had to be out an hour later and knew I wouldnt be in until the early hours(and not sober!!)
So instead of giving her dry Kibble, I soaked it till it was completely swollen!!! and fed her 3/4 hour after the run.
Now wish us luck as it is Ebbas first race tomorrow!!!
Its 5.8 miles. Furthest she will have run, and furthest I have run in about 10 weeks :( :(
So will see how we get on :) :)
(it is an inter club race, hence me being able to take her. Normally dogs arnt allowed on races!!!)
Lea :) :)

Ahh sounds brilliant and good luck to you both!

Well we did it :) :)
And Ebba, was a STAR¬!!!!!
We had about 12 people pass us, all were good and passed on the opposite side, and she didnt flinch at all!!!!! Everyone said how good she was and were even cheering her on at the end LMAO
And a lad that was about 10 even came and stroked her!!!! LOL
We ran past children. We ran past other dogs that were trying to get to her and she just trotted along beside me :) :)
Her fiurst race and at the end I was nearly dead. And she, she was still rareing to go LMAO
And so far no problems with drinking and eating afterwards!!!
Lea :) :)

Well done Lea!!!!....and Ebba of course

WELL DONE!

Hi Lea

My middle boy Ru goes running with my OH about 4 or 5 times a week, they go on a 5mile jog each time. He loves it.
The first half he is off lead along the canal towpath and he usually ends up swimming half the way while oh jogs, brilliant exercise, then coming back he is on lead on the pavement great for his feet which are lovely and tight and ive never once had to cut his nails because they wear down whilst he runs

When he comes back in he usually does have a drink but it isnt straight from the tap and Im careful not to let him gulp too much but he doesnt usually anyway.

Enjoy youre running!