Whats does it takes to get and keep a dog in shape

[beelick]

How often do you need to run and how long to keep a dog in top condition. We are trying to keep in shape to run AKC trails Midwest.

[DBFUZZ]

every day about 3-5 hr

[briarhopper]

I run mine 3 maybe 4 days a week, for at least four hours each time but usually more. I think mine are in pretty good shape, but then again I dont trial.

Bryan

[Alabama John]

Dogs get in shape much faster than humans. Their muscles and wind is built differently as is their blood makeup.

For hunting, once or twice a week for a couple of hours will keep them ready to go. Some I know don't run theirs the whole summer and start running twice a week in late fall. Their dogs can go all day after a few weeks.

For some trials it will take them being in better shape than others. Brace, not in shape at all doesn't matter, Large Pack takes more.

LP where they only hunt and run for an hour at a time doesn't take much being in shape to compete. Most casts hunt for half the time and if lucky run for half the time. Rarely do they run for a whole hour. Seem some only run for 5-10 minutes. Then go rest and if won their cast then do it again and after another rest do it again.

Age makes a difference as it takes longer for an old dog. Same with humans.

[S.R.Patch]

Imho, it depends on the hound as with people.
I went to school with a few boys who were "natural" athletes, they didn't do anything special it was just in their make-up that athletic ability came natural to them. I often wondered how great they would have been if they'd committed themselves to performance rather than taking it so halfheartedly.
It's the same with hounds, those who have the "natural ability" require little work, while others of lesser quality require constant conditioning to keep them in performing mode.
Conformation and that big ole heart...

[Alabama John]

SR, wise observance.
Where does that come from?
it is in the genes and that comes from breeding. Same with dogs and humans.

[BCBeagles]

Proper rest is also important. I have heard one top trialer say he runs them every other day, 4-6 hours. He is always placing hounds and does this consistantly.

Just one person's methods. I feel every day should not be more than 3 hours, but that is my opinion. If it were my hounds I would do every other day with more duration. Just like an athlete, recovery time can be just as important. Muscles get broken down and need to rebuild to gain endurance. Again, my opinions.

Good luck!

[littlewoody]

Don't forget good feed .

[johns03272008]

S.R. i have to disagree a little bit with your theory about natural ability and needing little work, no matter how long the running is just because a dog has the ability does not put it into automatic shape, i have seen dogs that will kick hind end in a trial for the first 30 mins or so and then they are sucking wind at the back of the pack just trying to stay up!! A dog has to be ran just like humans have to run to be in good top performing shape!! A dog can have all the ability in the world but if it aint in shape its not gonna do much no matter how big of a heart it has!! I have seen dogs darn near kill themselves trying to still run with conditioned dogs when ran for awhile,

On another note if you have seen a rock hard dog if you ask the handler how long he runs his hounds i promise you he aint gonna tell you 1 time a week for 2 hrs, conditioning takes time and hours on the ground

[S.R.Patch]

John, It's ok to disagree with me. I only speak from what I've seen as I'm sure that's where your opinion is drawn from.
I've went up a number of yrs. an run hare for a week with these field trial dogs that are kept in conditions for cottontail. Well, lets just say we all started on cottontail from the south but on the 4th,5th,6th &7th day,... trials or conditioning didn't finish the week, it took a true athlete with great heart to go when the body was breaking down, it is a real test of hound flesh. All this is just my opinion of what I see and maybe different to others.
All the best...

[S.R.Patch]

SR, wise observance.
Where does that come from?
it is in the genes and that comes from breeding. Same with dogs and humans.

John, I remember well Mike Yates telling me about his "two hour wonders", hounds he had inadvertently bred for the trials before he got his patches from Willet.

[johns03272008]

S.R. i completely agree about the heart and will to keep going cause they weak will quit!!