Canicross—the name comes from the words “canine” and “cross-country”—is, essentially, the sport of long distance trail running with your dog. It began in Europe with sled dog competitors who were looking for a way to condition their dogs during the summertime. Without snow to provide a surface, mushers needed to run with their dogs to keep them in good shape. From that necessity, canicross was born.
In the early 2000s, canicross began to catch on as a sport in Europe and by 2015 championship events were being held in the U.K. In 2018, Brian Thomas, owner of Wisconsin-based specialty running and canicross store Kenosha Running Company, started forming CanicrossUSA chapters across the U.S. Today, there are chapters in every part of the country and two national canicross organizations.
Picking the Right Canicross Gear
Many people enjoy jogging with their dogs, but canicross is more than just running with your dog in tow. In canicross, your dog pulls you, which creates a completely different sensation than just running with the leash in your hand. Canicross teams use special equipment that enables the dog to pull while also protecting the safety of both dog and runner and helping the team to run faster.
Dogs participating in canicross wear a pulling harness that is designed to rest on the dog’s breastbone, leaving the neck unencumbered so the dog can breathe freely as he runs. The human partner in the team wears a running belt that attaches to the dog’s harness. The running belt has an elastic attachment that protects the runner should the dog lunge forward or to the side. It’s similar to a rock-climbing harness and wraps around the hips and through the legs.
“Proper gear is so important for the dog and human,” says Thomas.
While the human running belt is easily adjustable for just about anyone, your dog needs to be properly fitted for the pulling harness. A properly fitted harness will allow your dog to run freely without undo strain on his joints and ligaments.
“We have fitted probably 1,000 dogs over the past 7 years for the correct fitting harness, either in person or in a very detailed manner over the phone, exchanging pictures and measurements by email,” says Thomas.
Is Canicross Right Dog for Your Dog?
You don’t need a particular breed of dog to do canicross because the sport is open to every breed and mix. That said, the best dogs for the sport are ones that are healthy, naturally athletic, and have good, open airways. Brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus are not considered good candidates for a canicross team.
A dog’s age should also be a factor when considering participating in canicross. As with other high-impact sport such as agility, dogs shouldn’t begin canicross until their growth plates have closed. That can occur anywhere between 12 and 24 months based on factors such as breed and size with small dogs typically maturing faster and giant breeds taking longer. Remember, doing high-impact activities with a dog who hasn’t finished developing can result in health issues later in the dog’s life.
In addition, a dog can be too old for canicross. Senior dogs suffering from arthritis or other orthopedic or health problems aren’t good candidates for the sport.
If you have a dog who is athletic, in good health, and loves to run, have your veterinarian examine him before you participate in canicross. Let your vet know that you plan to start running with your dog so she can be sure he’s healthy enough. You’ll vet will perform a physical exam and may recommend bloodwork to help ensure your dog’s metabolism and major organs are up for a sport that requires endurance.
If you are thinking about getting a dog you can compete with in canicross, focus on breeds that are known for running. Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds, and sporting breeds such as pointers and retrievers are common breeds seen at canicross events. If you’d like to rescue a dog and make him your canicross partner, pick one that has athletic breeds in its mix.
“One of the great outcomes is to see how many of our trail runners have gone out and adopted a rescue dog so they can start entering our canicross events,” says Thomas.
Join a Canicross Club
Participating in canicross is often the most fun when you do it in a group. CanicrossUSA clubs around the country hold events where you can meet other dog owners in the sport and can learn how to pace yourself and your dog. You can also find other canicross runners in your area by using MeetUp or Facebook and searching for “canicross”.
While some people participate in canicross just for fun, others enjoy competing in the sport. In Europe, some organizations are even working toward making canicross an Olympic event.
One organization in the U.S. dedicated to the competitive side of the sport is North American Canicross (NAC), which started in 2019 for the purposes of promoting canicross as a competitive event. The organization’s programs include Lifetime Achieved Miles, which emphasizes conditioning and training in both dog and human; Race Dog Distance titles, which include Sprint Distance Class and a 5k Distance Class, with emphasis on speed, endurance and athleticism; and Championship titles, which are awarded to dogs who have completed a variety of race distances including 5k, 21k and marathons. The elements of a dog and human running together as a team are highlighted, with strength, confidence, speed, communication and athleticism being recognized in all these categories.
Winners in NAC events are awarded Challenge Coins at each Titled achievement, and any dog 18 months of age or older is eligible, regardless of breed or mix. NAC doesn’t hold its own events, but recognizes achievements accomplished by dog and human teams in other canicross events and dog-friendly runs.
How To Start Canicross
If canicross sounds like the sport for you, you’ll need to start working on training your dog and conditioning both of you.
For dogs to compete in canicross events, they need to know basic obedience cues and respond to your voice. Even though your dog will be on a leash during canicross events, he still needs to pay attention to you. Your dog will be out in front of you, pulling you along, so you want him to be under control. Be sure he is well-behaved around other dogs and people he doesn’t know. The last thing you need is to lose control of your dog because he is reacting to another dog or to a passing stranger.
Many canicross competitors teach their dogs directional cues, such as “go,” “stop,” “left,” and “right” to help direct the dog during a run. Your dog is in the lead when you are running, but you are the one telling him where to go. Using your voice to cue your dog to slow down, go fast, and make turns will make your run a lot smoother—and faster.
Conditioning for both you and your dog is mandatory before you sign up for a canicross event. If you are already running regularly with your dog, you may both be in good enough shape to start participating. You will just need to get used to running with your dog in a canicross harness attached to your running belt. You’ll want to practice with your new canicross gear so you and your dog are comfortable with it before you sign up for a run.
If you want to try canicross but you’ve only been taking your dogs on walks, start a slow but steady conditioning plan. Add about five minutes of running to your walks each day, and gradually increase how much you are running each week. If your goal is to eventually do 5k canicross events, build up to this distance over a month or more. Keep an eye on your dog to make sure you aren’t pushing him too hard. Alongside preventing injuries, you want him to enjoy this!
