As many of you know out there, my own dog is my running partner of choice.  An Alaskan Malamute, she is bred for endurance and to run long distances pulling freight.  This makes her a great endurance training partner, especially in the winter months and if snow is involved. In the summer months we need to be sure that she is well hydrated all the time, and that she has a place to cool off after the workout.  It takes a special personality to handle a Malamute and to make a good dog out of them.  Especially stubborn and intelligent, and with exceptional strength, they can be challenging dogs to train.  If it is a good match though, and you live an especially active lifetstyle in the outdoors, in my opinion, there is no better best friend and training partner.

Many people automatically think that because your dog is, well, a dog, that he can go right out do whatever you think he should be capable of doing.  Like say, running a 5k.  If your dog has not been as active as you may have been recently, like say through the winter months, then he is going to need some time to build up his fitness level just like you do.  This tends to be an issue in the spring when you may have been training all winter at the gym, while the pooch is curled by the fire place.  Take it slow with him at first, and always, ALWAYS be sure to have water waiting for him at the end of the workout.

Take care of your pup, and he will definitely take care of you.  Happy running!