Looking for 2nd dog - not Lab - early stages - thoughts?

[Tanya]

My Ace just graduated puppy class - his classmates included 2 Vizslas, 2 Corgis, and a rotating group of 3 Rhodesian Ridgeback litter mates. The Vizslas were friendly, HIGHLY energetic (one spent all day at doggie daycare and still had plenty of energy left to burn at puppy class!), and the best match for Ace as far as play style. The RRs were all a lot more aloof. I have known several Vizslas who are great longer-distance running partners.

you got a new pup!!

[fan of fanboys]

Thanks everyone for input and feedback.

I really need to spend some time around a Vizsla. Honestly it sounds like they might be too much energy. Would not be fair to the dog for me to get in over my head.

Maybe i could just rent/borrow someone's Vizsla for my runs?!?! (semi-serious, semi-joking)

[fan of fanboys]

Does that exist? Is there an option for me to borrow or rent a dog to run with and then return?
Maybe like a person who does not have time to exercise dog properly? Or would like local animal shelter let me pick up a dog few times a week for a run and then return? Or am I insane? (note: those two ideas are NOT mutually exclusive)

[WhoopsaDaisy]

Ha, our local animal shelter has a dog running program. I think you should keep your eyes open for any opportunities, you never know when the right dog will come along.
I also run and plan to run with Daisy in shorter, cooler runs. My brother has a chocolate field lab that runs log, fast runs with him.(5-6 miles under 7 min pace) He's a higher energy dog but also has that wonderful lab personality. He's calmed down a bunch now that he is 7. They do not run with him if it is too humid/hot though-- I just don't think any dog can take that. My brother will take the kids on the running stroller so he's never alone even if he can't take the dog
Maybe you should look into older field labs?

[fan of fanboys]

Ya know if my local shelter does not have a running program they def should! I will look into that!

And if that fails I could always create a Craigslist ad saying I will run your dog for free?!

[Snowshoe]

I have read of programs in New York and I think Toronto that have dogs to run with women. To make the women feel safer.

Not keen on the shelter idea or the ad for the amount of running you plan to do. For that amount the dog would need steady and consistent conditionning. Not fair to shelter dogs, where likely you would not get the same dog every day. And if you did you should adopt it. And who would answer an ad like that? I know, you're probably kidding about the ad.

[fan of fanboys]

I have read of programs in New York and I think Toronto that have dogs to run with women. To make the women feel safer.

Not keen on the shelter idea or the ad for the amount of running you plan to do. For that amount the dog would need steady and consistent conditionning. Not fair to shelter dogs, where likely you would not get the same dog every day. And if you did you should adopt it. And who would answer an ad like that? I know, you're probably kidding about the ad.

Few months ago I made an ad where I offered $50 to whoever could leave a voice mail with their best Chewbacca impression. My friend was both amused and annoyed I used his phone number haha.

I def need to think about this some more. There is a couple of running clubs in my town. Be cool to have some partnership with local shelter. Could use the dogs for shorter runs. Gets them exposure, maybe increase amount of adoptions, dogs gets exercise, shelter would know which dogs could handle a few mile run? I dunno

[arentspowell]

I volunteered at a shelter in Tallahassee for a little bit that had a running program for shelter dogs. The shelter was on the edge of a city park and was the perfect set up for this kind of program. Once a week the runners would come in and take a few dogs running on the trails.

[jake&Tex]

Thanks everyone for input and feedback.

I really need to spend some time around a Vizsla. Honestly it sounds like they might be too much energy. Would not be fair to the dog for me to get in over my head.

Maybe i could just rent/borrow someone's Vizsla for my runs?!?! (semi-serious, semi-joking)

Might be able to work through a Vizsla rescue to find one that is lower on the energy scale compared to a typical one? I'm guessing it's possible - I have an ACD that is lower energy than a typical ACD. The Vizslas that I have known can go and go and go. And it's almost like a vicious cycle in that the more you do to expend their energy, the more you are building up their stamina to need/want more!