Dog sports: a booming trend
Running, biking, or snowshoeing with your dog is no longer a niche: it's a real sports movement. Dog sports attract more and more practitioners in France, with clubs, competitions, and dedicated routes.
| Sport | Difficulty | Ideal breeds | Specific equipment | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canicross | Medium | Husky, Braque, Border, Shepherd | Traction harness + line + belt | Fall, winter, spring |
| Cani-MTB | Difficult | Husky, Malamute, Pointer | Traction bar + MTB antenna | Fall, spring |
| Cani-snowshoes | Medium | Nordic, Shepherds, Retrievers | Harness + snowshoes + line | Winter |
| Cani-walk / Cani-hike | Easy | All breeds (adapt distance) | Comfort harness + long line | All year |
| Swimming / Aqua-cani | Easy | Labrador, Golden, Newfoundland | Life vest + floating toy | Summer |
Canicross: sport #1
Canicross is running with your dog connected by an elastic line. The dog pulls in front of you, which adds speed and intensity. It's the most accessible and most practiced dog sport.
- Traction harness (25-60 €): distributes force on the chest, not the neck. Brands: Non-Stop Dogwear, I-Dog, Manmat.
- Elastic line (15-30 €): 2 m with shock absorber to absorb jerks. Never a rigid leash.
- Belt or harness (20-50 €): worn at the waist or hips, with quick carabiner.
- Trail shoes: grip and cushioning, the dog pulls hard downhill!
No traction before 12 months (growing joints). Before, get your dog used to running beside you, without pulling.
First training: 1 km at light jog. Increase by 500 m per week. Reasonable goal: 5-10 km in 2 months.
Dogs cool down much less well than you. Above 20°C, the risk of heat stroke is real during intense exercise. Run early morning.
Water before, during (breaks), and after. No meal within 2h before exercise. After the run: 15 min walk to recover.
There are more than 200 dog sports clubs in France, affiliated with the Federation of Dog Sports and Leisure (FSLC). Joining a club allows you to progress safely, meet other enthusiasts, and participate in friendly races — an excellent excuse for sports weekends.
For less athletic adventures, consult our hiking guide and our forest walks. In winter, cani-snowshoes in the mountains are a must. Prepare your outings with the right equipment list.
Frequently asked questions
Can my small dog do canicross?
Yes, but adapt! A small dog won't pull like a Husky. Practice cani-walking instead or light running on flat terrain. Some small dogs (Jack Russell, Cocker Spaniel) are excellent runners. The key is adapting the distance and intensity to the size.
Is cani-MTB dangerous?
Riskier than canicross because the speed is higher. Risks: fall if the dog suddenly changes direction, paw injuries on rocky terrain. Start on wide, flat paths, at low speed. The MTB antenna (bar attached to handlebar) is essential to prevent the line from getting caught in the wheel.
Which breeds are NOT made for canicross?
Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldog, Pug, Boxer) have breathing difficulties during exercise and should not do canicross. Long-backed dogs (Dachshund, Basset) are also discouraged due to disc herniation risk. Giant dogs (Mastiff, Saint Bernard) are not suited for long-distance running.
Canicross transformed our relationship. My Border Collie was unmanageable at home — since we run 5 km three times a week, they're a different dog. Calm, happy, fulfilled.
— Amateur canicrosser, Vosges
