TL;DR
Ultrarunning coach Meghan Gould, founder of She Runs Ultras, shares how to safely and joyfully run with your dog, from building distance gradually to reading their cues over chasing mileage targets. She covers breed considerations, gear essentials like harnesses versus collars, heat and hydration rules, and her "daily shakedown" mobility practice, while making the case that flexibility and consistency beat rigid perfection, both in ultramarathon training and in everyday life with a dog.
In this episode, Mariska and ultra running coach Meghan Gould discuss the intricacies of sharing an active lifestyle with dogs. They explore the balance between training for ultra marathons and caring for dogs, the importance of choosing the right breed for running, and the essential gear needed for safe and enjoyable runs. Meghan shares her personal journey into ultra running, the lessons learned from training with dogs, and the significance of flexibility and consistency in achieving running goals. The conversation emphasizes the joy of running with dogs and the importance of making it a fun experience for both.
Guest Bio:
Meghan Gould is an ultrarunning coach and the founder of She Runs Ultras, a podcast and online coaching community that supports women, especially those in midlife, as they train for their first or farthest ultramarathon in a way that actually fits real life.
Meghan has run distances from 50K to 200 miles, giving her firsthand experience with the physical, mental, and logistical demands of ultra running. Through coaching, community, and honest conversations about what training really requires, she helps runners stop second-guessing themselves, build confidence, and make smarter decisions, so they can cross the finish line feeling strong, healthy, and proud.
Takeaways:
- Running with your dog is about reading their cues, not hitting mileage targets. Distraction, panting, and soreness matter more than the number on your watch.
- Gradual build-up protects joints, especially in young dogs still developing, start with short walk-run intervals and build slowly over weeks and months.
- Not every breed is a running partner. High-energy breeds like Australian Shepherds need serious exercise commitment, while brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs are better suited to shorter distances or stroller support.
- A proper harness matters more than any other gear. It reduces strain on your dog's neck compared to a collar, and pairing it with a sturdy long lead gives dogs room to explore while keeping you in control.
- Heat is a hard limit, not a guideline. Meghan won't run her dog once temperatures climb into the 70s Fahrenheit (low-to-mid 20s Celsius), and always carries extra water.
- Flexibility beats rigid perfection in both running and dog training, plan for your schedule to be knocked off track, and build in buffer time rather than treating deviations as failure.
- The Daily Shakedown is a low-cost recovery tool. A 5-10 minute head-to-toe mobility practice, done any time of day, can prevent the kind of chronic pain that comes from ignoring small issues.
- Training a dog to run takes longer than people expect. Distractions, smells, and other dogs mean early "runs" are really training sessions that happen to include some running.
- Chasing the process, not the medal, builds more lasting motivation, especially for first-time ultra or marathon runners navigating setbacks like injury or life circumstances.
Relevant links mentioned in the episode:
Some dog breeds that might be great if you need a training buddy:
Border Collie
Typical: 5–10 miles, Upper: 12 miles
Efficient movers; mental engagement required.
Vizsla
Typical: 5–9 miles, Upper: 10–12 miles
Smooth stride, thrives on steady pacing.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Typical: 4–8 miles, Upper: 10 miles
Steady, heat tolerant, large-frame considerations.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Typical: 6–12 miles, Upper: 15 miles
Built for endurance; needs humans to enforce limits.
Dalmatian
Typical: 5–10 miles, Upper: 12 miles
Historically bred to run long distances.
Belgian Sheepdog
Typical: 5–9 miles, Upper: 10–12 miles
High-drive, mentally intense endurance dogs.
Weimaraner
Typical: 5–10 miles, Upper: 12–14 miles
Strong aerobic engine; benefits from structure.
Timestamps to relevant points within the episode:
[00:00]-Intro
[00:00]- How to Share an Active Life With Your Dog Safely
[02:16]- Introducing Meghan Gould of She Runs Ultras
[03:00]- What Is an Ultramarathon
[03:39]- How Meghan Got Into Running
[05:05]- Discovering Trail Running and Ultras
[06:00]- Balancing Ultra Training and Dog Mom Life
[07:23]- What Ultra Training Actually Looks Like Behind the Scenes
[08:52]- How Wyatt Started Running With Meghan
[10:32]- Why Some Breeds Aren’t Built for Distance Running
[12:39]- Choosing the Right Dog Breed for Your Lifestyle
[14:24]- How Far Can Dogs Really Run
[14:56]- Appropriate Distances for Running With a Dog
[17:15]- Why Gradual Build Up Is Critical for Dogs
[18:11]- Essential Gear for Running With Your Dog
[21:38]- Heat, Hydration and Safety Rules for Dogs
[25:24]- What Meghan Wishes She Knew Earlier About Running With Dogs
[27:55]- Flexibility vs Perfection in Ultra Training
[32:37]- Staying Connected to Big Running Goals Without Pressure
[35:31]- What Is the Daily Shakedown
[39:15]- The Biggest Advice for Running Safely With Your Dog
[40:46]- Upcoming Ultra Races and Travel Plans
FAQ
What distance is safe to run with my dog?
Safe running distance depends heavily on breed, age, and fitness, some dogs top out around 5-6 miles before losing focus or getting tired, while athletic breeds like Vizslas or Rhodesian Ridgebacks can comfortably handle 10-12 miles, so build up gradually and watch your dog's cues rather than following a fixed number.
What's the best gear for running with a dog?
A well-fitted harness (rather than a collar) paired with either a sturdy long lead or a fixed six-foot leash gives your dog room to move while protecting their neck and giving you control.
How do I know if it's too hot to run with my dog?
If temperatures climb into the 70s Fahrenheit (low-to-mid 20s Celsius) or your dog shows open-mouth, long-tongue panting, it's time to walk instead of run, seek shade, or head home.
Can any dog breed run long distances?
No, breeds like Vizslas and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are naturally suited to longer distances, while brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs or dogs with health conditions are better suited to shorter distances, stroller-assisted outings, or walks instead.
How do I start training my dog to run with me?
Begin with regular walks, then introduce short bursts of easy jogging, gradually increasing distance based on how interested and how tired your dog seems afterward, rather than following a fixed schedule.
What is the Daily Shakedown?
It's a 5-10 minute movement practice combining yoga-style stretches and joint mobility work, done head to toe, that can be used to wake up and prime the body before a run or wind down before bed.
Should I stretch my dog before or after exercise?
Dogs often self-stretch instinctively (similar to a "down dog" pose) when given the chance, and gentle movement or stretching around exercise can support recovery, though there's no single required routine.
How do I stay motivated training for a big goal like an ultra or marathon?
Focus on enjoying the process of training itself rather than fixating solely on race day, and remember that delays or setbacks from injury or life circumstances aren't failures, they're part of a longer journey.
About the Author: Mariska Nell
Mariska is the founder of Tails and Tones, a design-led, sustainable dog product brand. She's also the host of the Tails and Tones podcast, where she explores dog health, product design, and intentional pet parenting with experts, veterinarians, and fellow dog parents.
Background: Mariska holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Design, a Bachelor's in Interior Design, and a Postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science. She's spent over 10 years working as a sustainability designer and strategist across the UAE, Australia, South Africa, the UK, and India. Her previous work includes collaborations with brands like Nespresso, Costa Coffee, and Dubai Airport, and she founded Design By Mariska, known for trash-to-treasure art exhibited at Dubai International Airport. She's also the host and founder of Mama Earth Talk, a sustainability podcast with 200+ episodes on zero waste and climate action, featuring guests including Dr. Sylvia Earle and the late Dr. Jane Goodall. She created the free Living Lighter course for practical sustainable living.
Piper: Mariska shares her life and work with Piper, her French Bulldog rescue dog. Piper joined the family in 2021 at 5 months old and has been the Chief Paw-duct Tester for everything Tails and Tones creates. Piper's journey, including cleft palate repair, luxating patella, arthritis risk, and recent mobility challenges, directly shaped the founding mission of Elevé (Tails and Tones' first product: a modular, height-adaptive feeding system).
Mission: We are on a mission to help modern dog parents simplify everyday care and elevate life with their pets, without sacrificing style or sustainability. Tails and Tones exists to build products that show up for dog parents, beautiful, sustainable, and robust enough to support you on the worst days. Not just the easy ones.
You can find Mariska at @tailsandtones on Instagram, or visit tailsandtones.com to learn more about Elevé and the Tails and Tones mission.
