Canicross: Sledding without the Sled
What is Canicross? Put simply, Canicross is cross country running with your dog. Originally, it was used as an off-season training tool for the mushing and sledding communities in Europe. But because of its accessibility to almost everyone and their dogs, it has become a popular sport in its own right as a standalone sport!
Canicross doesn’t require much equipment at all to get started compared to other dog sports. It is also a low cost alternative to bikjoring or dog sledding if you aren’t ready to move into that sport or don’t have the time and money for it.
Provided you and your dog have a little bit of fitness or the willingness to jog you will have a blast!
For Canicross all the equipment you need is:
- You – A bit of fitness, or the willingness to jog/run!
- Your Dog – Your high energy dog(s) that love to pull! I don’t suggest running with any more than 2 dogs at a time.
- A Canicross or Trail Running Belt:
- Trail Running Belt – to start with you can use a trail style belt. It is a simple belt with a lead connector. If you are just getting into the sport, I highly recommend starting out with one of these. They are low cost and allow you to get used to running with your dog attached to your waist.
- Canicross Belt – Once you are running comfortably with your dog, or want to take your Canicross to the next level, moving up to a dedicated canicross belt might be a good option. They have leg harnesses to keep the belt in place on your lower back for optimal pulling).
- Harness – you will want a harness or one that doesn’t constrict pulling. I suggest starting with a normal harness that doesn’t restrict the dog’s shoulders, then once you have the hang of it, investing in a sledding harness.
A bungee lead – using a bungee lead stops jerking and absorbs shock between you and your dog
Is canicross good for dogs?
A lot of people ask if Canicross is good for dogs and the answer is yes! Running with your dog can help with more than your dog’s physical health. It can help with yours as well! Not only will it help both you and your dog’s physical fitness, it is also a great form of mental stimulation for your dog. By encouraging both physical and mental exercise for your dog can help address a bunch of things like stress, boredom and destructive behaviour. It’s also a great way to bond with your dog.
My dog is small, can they do Canicross?
Provided your little pup has the drive to run, they can enjoy canicross! As Lindsay Johnson over at Non-Stop Dogwear says “It’s not the length of the legs that matter – it’s the size of the heart!
Be it big or small, as long as your dog likes to work and has the drive to do it, they can enjoy Canicross as much as the big dogs.
At what age can dogs do Canicross?
As with any young dog, you are better off waiting until they are between 1 to 2 years of age. This will make sure all their puppy bones and muscles finish forming correctly without any strains. Bigger dogs’ bodies do take longer to reach maturity, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Check in with your Vet if you would like to start but aren’t sure if your dog is ready.
What’s the best time of year to do Canicross?
Like any physical exercise with your dog, its important not to run them in extreme heats. If the temperature is over 27 degrees celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) its best to keep your dog cool and out of the heat. Not only should you keep heat in mind, but its also important to consider humidity. For the humidity, if it’s over 70% with a high temperature, it’s too hot to run for your dog!
With this in mind, make sure you are running in the cooler months, or on low temperature days in seasons like Summer and Spring.
Does Canicross encourage pulling?
Yes and no. Pulling is an important part of canicross, you want your dog to pull while you are running! That is why your harness is a very important tool in your Canicross equipment pack.
You want to train your dog to understand that when the canicross harness is on, it’s time to pull pull pull! But when the regular harness or collar is out, it’s walk time and isn’t the time to be pulling but instead it’s time for leash manners.
A good way to encourage your dog to pull when you are teaching them Canicross is to have a friend run ahead or in front and encourage your dog to run toward them.
Just like assistance dogs or working dogs who know when their special harness is on is the time to work, you can train your dog to understand that when their special running harness is on, it’s time to pull.
Some great Canicross Resources from across the web:
Videos about Canicross – Introductions to the sport
What is Canicross?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BwxzP1FSPQ
Canicross: cross country running with dogs – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6LGezHfnSI
A Beginner’s Introduction To Canicross – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClEOyM9-iQ8
https://www.nonstopdogwear.com/en/magazine/canicross-good-for-dogs/
More about Canicross and Other Dog Sports
Canicross is a safe sport for young dogs because the speeds are moderate and the movements are controlled. The movement is quite linear, unlike dog sports such as flyball or agility.
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About The Author
Poppy Hill
I’m Poppy Hill, and I'm a dog lover. My favorite thing to do is learn about new sports that you can do with your dog! Join me as we explore different topics like agility, flyball, disc dog (or frisbee), freestyle, obedience and rally - the list goes on! What are some of your favorite things to do with your pup?