I have just returned from a holiday in rural France, where I saw loads of dogs having superb walks with their owners on bicycles! They were attatched safely to the side of the bikes by a contraption which was spring loaded to stop the dog from pulling them over, and set a good foot away from the bike to stop them being run over by the wheels! My dogs would love this, as they LOVE running next to me, but I'm not so keen on the running part!

I did a brief tour of a few pet shops over there, but couldn't see it in any of them, so I've done a bit of browsing online and have seen the Sringer dog leash (www.burkinshaw99,freeserve.co.uk/Springer.htm) which seems to be a similar idea, but looks a bit less friendly.

Has anyone had any experiences of these leads? Are they worthwhile? And is there any other sort out there?

What a great idea. I hope someone responds I'm very interested, in the meantime I'll check out the site you mentioned.
Regards
Dave

I had seen mention of this on another list but couldn't remember the name, then I got a bit further down your post and saw Springer and I'm sure that was it. I'll go and have a trawl and see if I can find posts and get back to you
Anne

Springers are a great way of exercising your dog. You can get ones that attach to the front of your bike, or on the side. We are about to get one for our malamute Shadow as it's good traing for when we want to race him. You can get them from the Alaskan Malamute Working Association, for about £35 + p&p. Contact Bille Stevenson E-mail spiritrun mals@aol.com

If you're referring to this type
Springer Bicycle Jogger
Check at your local pet store. Even though it's an American patent and company, the German and French stores sell them ---for quite a markup too :rolleyes:

We bought ours at the Malamute Club Show and it is great. Follow Lou's advice to get one :)

I havent found one at any of our local pet shops despite looking for months ..the one I got was imported from Germany

Melody :)

Have seen them advertised in the Dog World, cut it out, now if I can find it I'll let you where they are available from. Ja:)kie

A ladty in our breed has one for her Elkhound Moose, as she had a problem with her bitch being a chubby pup and found it hard to firm her up. Her daughter cycles her round the perimeter of their local sports field. she goes swimming too!

Hi, dont mean to put a damper on this great idea - but is it legal? Not that it would worry me as to see a police car round here is very unusual, but in a built up area, could you be pulled up for it? We regularly see a Welsh Cob stallion being exersised daily from a bike - now that takes guts!!

That's VERY gutsy!!!!

I'm not too sure on the legal aspect though - it's an interesting point.
I'm assuming they're legal, as I have a policeman friend who has a sniffer dog and I asked him about them. Whilst he didn't know where I could get one, he didn't mention them being a bad idea.

Spoke to her today, and hers is called the dog biker, and cost under £30, she only cycles on a cycle path and never on a road!

are dogs really under control when being exercised like this? could they escape? if they darted towards the road, could they be stopped?or could the owner be dragged into the road?
i ask this because i once saw a dalmation being exercised like this, it saw my friends shetland pony, pulled away from the owner who fell off the bike, and badly bit the pony. The dog owner had to pay the vet bill, and was warned by the police about controlling the dog.
I think you have to be 100%confident of your dog. In the UK it is illegal to cycle on footpaths, so you would have to use the roads, unless you were in a public park.

if you are in the uk buy them online from
http://www.springer-uk.com
i use one and they are a great form of exercise for me and the dogs.the spring stops all shocks etc and it is very safe even when my dog has lunged at birds etc i can carry on with only feeling the slightest wobble

I'm glad you have used one of these before, so know what you're talking about.

Are they easy to fit, or does it make it a real drag having to attach it to your bike before you go anywhere?

I actually have 2 dogs, and assume I'd need to buy 2 and use them with Rob on his bike and me on mine. 2 dogs on one springer might be a bit adventurous!

yes you would be better with two it would not be practical having 2 dogs on the same spring.the springer is attached easily it is held by a bracket which you leave on the bike all the time (it is not too big).then the big spring is held with a split pin so this part (the big stuff) is easily removable and easy to put back in as it only takes a second.i check the bracket is secure before setting off if it is a bit loose you just tighten 1 nut up and thats it.if you are in the uk remember to fit the springer on your left hand side as you sit so as to be safe if in any traffic.good luck.oh yes always make sure the dogs are emptied out before you give them this sort of work as it is hard for them too empty on the run.some other tips would be get a good thick comfy collar (i use a 1 1/2 inch thick one or even a harness as thin collars can be a drag if the dogs enjoy pulling on the springer as 2 of mine do.also start slow, i started at 2 mile per day and now do 7 or 8 mile.it is always a good idea to start at a manageable distance.

I don't have one but I've heard from several people in the states who have them and love them. they way they are designed absorbs the shock if a dog chooses to dart away, and doesn't flip the bike. MUCH safer than cycling wtih a dog while holding a lead I would think. Have been trying to convince hubby that he needs one LOL

Wendy

I saw Greyhound breeders exercising their dogs using bikes and springers. They used a harness to attach the dog to the bike and also had a collar on the dog with lead they held in their hand on the bike whilst cycling so that they could control the dogs head, I thought this was a little safer than just attaching your dogs collar directly to the springer.
Gail