What is canicross?

Despite the fact that running with a dog is one of the easiest sports, canicross appeared not so long ago. It is believed that the first competitions in this discipline were held in the UK in 2000. And there was a canicross from skijoring – towing a skier with a dog. The thing is that in the summer, musher athletes, that is, drivers, not wanting to interrupt training, ran along with the animals.

The name “canicross” comes from the Latin “canis”, which means “dog”, and the English “cross”, which translates as “to cross”.

How are the competitions going?

• A team consisting of a runner and a dog has the task of running the distance as quickly as possible and finishing first;

• The length of the track is usually from 500 m to 10 km, but there are also distances longer than 60 km! One of these is, for example, the French race Trophée Des Montagnes;

• Competitions for women and men are held separately;

• It is practiced as a mass start, when all participants start the race at the same time, and an interval start, when teams start in turn;

• There are also relay races: a team is formed from several participants with dogs;

• Athletes run on a dirt road or on a special shock-absorbing surface.

Necessary equipment

Canicross does not require beginners to purchase expensive equipment. As a rule, the athlete needs a running suit and running shoes, and the dog needs a special harness. It can be purchased at the store or sewn to order, based on the individual parameters of the pet. It connects a person and a dog with a pull – a shock-absorbing cord 2,5-3 m long. At one end it is attached to the animal’s harness, and at the other – to a wide belt that the athlete puts on.

Who can take part?

Canicross with a dog is an accessible sport. They can be used by adults and children over 12 years old. As for dogs, there are no breed restrictions. Any animal can participate, including mestizos. Their age and state of health are important: vaccinated animals from 15 months old are allowed to participate. It is forbidden to participate in pregnant and lactating pets.

Training

You can prepare for canicross competitions on your own and with a professional cynologist. It all depends on your goals and the level of the event. There are some general recommendations:

• First of all, it is necessary to accustom the dog to harness and pull;

• Training should take place 3-4 times a week;

• If it is not possible to train in a sports center, choose a track with a dirt road (for example, in a park or in a forest). It is important that the dog does not run on a hard surface, otherwise problems with the joints and skin of the paw pads may occur;

• Distance and pace should be increased gradually, starting with a simple walk. Running at air temperatures above 25 ° C is highly discouraged;

• Keep a “training diary” in which you will describe the current processes, behavior and reactions of the animal. It will help you monitor your dog’s health more closely and analyze your progress.

Canicross is a team sport. Success in it depends not only on the owner, but also on the pet. If the dog refuses to run, do not force it. Always look for the reason for this behavior: maybe the animal just does not like to run, or maybe there are health problems. Do not forget that sports should bring pleasure to both you and your pet.

March 20 2018

Updated: 23 March 2018