Long dog walks...

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OH and I are doing the Stroud 5 Valleys walk at the end of September, it is 21 miles. I am toying with the idea of taking some of the dogs but I'm not sure if this is fair on them to ask them to walk that distance? They are greyhounds, and are walked daily of course, but nowhere near that distance.

I would leave Islay at home as she is 11 now and clearly not up to it, but was thinking of taking Amy (must be approaching 7 years old now but still mad as a hatter!) and maybe Hoover and Flick (8 and 7 respectively).
 
I've done 14 miles riding a bike (so considerably faster than walking) and 18 miles on foot with my GSD who's 3, he was absolutely fine and could have (nay requested) to go a second time immediately, BUT he is very, very high drive and he's also very fit.

I don't think it would be a problem as such providing your dogs are in good health, you know them best so do you think they'd enjoy it? I've heard rumours that greyhounds don't go off lead much but I don't know if that's true - if not, and they aren't used to doing the distance, it might be a bit far (they'd do it but possibly not enjoy it in the latter stages). If they do go off lead routinely and you're worried, you could keep them on lead so they are walking rather than zipping back and to all day.
 
Mine go off lead every day on their walks - I know a lot of greyhound owners won't let their dogs off, but I've never subscribed to that idea :) :) I think they have to stay on their leads because it is a large charity event - I'm pretty sure Amy would enjoy it, not so sure about the other two, so I might just take her - they are all in very good health though :)
 
JulesRules said:
Maybe do a couple of longer walks - 10/15 miles or so - between now and then to build their stamina a little?
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That is what I was thinking too - if I train for a half marathon I graduate my training, so maybe I will try that with them to test them and their enjoyment out :)
 
I assume you are doing 21 miles in one day, which will probably take seven walking hours. At a walk, quite ok if you have built the dogs up to it which will also give you the opportunity to see how they react to longer distances. If over a couple of days not much of a problem for healthy medium fit dogs, even stamina lacking greyhounds. They will be tired but not harmed.
 
Hmmm - thanks for the replies, they have confirmed my doubts about taking the dogs with me - I think they can stay at home. I might try a few longer walks before the date to see how they get on, but I'm not sure they would really enjoy 21 miles :)
 
I have almost whippet lurchers. Currently they subscribe to the 20 min blast regime, but when I was rehabbing from a fractured spine we clocked up 50miles + a week fell walking which involved a really hard slog of nearly 2 milles uphill every day, as well as doing at least one 10 to 15 mile walk a week. They came home full of running, whilst I was on my knees :lol: But that wouldnt be a good idea for them now, as they just arent fit enough, but if I wanted to to do that again a month of graduated exercise would have them fit enough to do it :)
 
Honey08 said:
I'd be inclined to build up their walks and their fitness over the rest of the month and decide nearer the time depending on how they seem.
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I would agree with this. Do you know what the footing will be like? I enjoy long distance walk routes and have done the dales way, pennine way and coast to coast routes in the last two years and I generally aim to do 15-20 miles per day and for several days in a row. I have taken my dog with me on all of them and he has loved each and every one. The only time I have had any concern is on a 21mile section that involved a lot of gravel tracks. Fields and moorlands wouldn't concern me but Milo is quite fit generally.
 
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