Try canicross: running with your dog
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
In canicross your dog runs out in front in a harness, clipped to a belt round your hips by a stretchy bungee line, so it pulls and you follow on cross-country trails. Beginners' groups mix brisk walking with gentle jogging, and races are usually held from September to May because dogs struggle in the heat.
ModerateUnder £100 / $130A few weeksOutdoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
Kit and your dog's welfare
You need three things: a harness for the dog, a belt for you and a line between them. The Royal Kennel Club describes a waist belt attached by a two metre (about 6.5 ft) bungee line to the dog's harness. The American Kennel Club says the harness should be one made for pulling, as ordinary walking harnesses can restrict breathing or shoulder movement, and that canicross belts sit low on the hips.
The PDSA, a UK vet charity, says running is too intense for a puppy's growing bones and should wait until the dog is fully grown. Most dogs are by about one year, but large breeds can take 18 months to two years. Canicross Trailrunners advises care with flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs, and the American Kennel Club suggests getting your vet's okay before starting.
At a first session with Canicross UK, the instructor fits you both with kit, then the group practises in a safe area so you get used to the dog pulling before heading out on the trails. No set fitness is needed and walking is fine.
Ways in and what they cost
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Canicross UK | Five one-hour walk/jog sessions of about 3 miles (4.8 km) each; all kit can be borrowed | £40 per person for the block |
| Canicross Trailrunners | Clubs and groups near you, plus a calendar of canicross races | Not listed; check with the club |
| Canicross USA | Local chapters with events in many states | Not listed; check with the chapter |
| Mushing Mutts Canicross 5k, Holly Springs, North Carolina | A 5k (3.1 mile) race; harness, bungee line and hands-free belt required, dog runs in front | $45 plus a $3.70 signup fee |
The North Carolina race does not allow flexi-leads or head halters in its dog-friendly run, and its canicross rules say the dog must stay in front of the runner, never behind.
How to start
- Check your dog is fully grown; Canicross Trailrunners says at least 12 months, and Canicross UK says 12 to 18 months depending on size. Ask your vet if you have any doubts.
- Join a beginners' group or taster where you can borrow a harness, belt and line and have them fitted.
- Build up slowly, starting with short runs of about 50 to 100 metres (55 to 110 yards) between walks.
Where to go
- Canicross Trailrunners: what canicross is, clubs and race calendar UK
- Canicross UK: walk/jog beginners' sessions UK
- Canicross USA: local chapters US
We opened these links on 14 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Two ways to plan it.
Plan it yourself Free
The links you need to book it, get there, find somewhere to stay and eat, and see what else there is to do nearby. They are searches for you to run; nothing is saved.
Show the links
Plan it with dates
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
How old does my dog need to be for canicross?
Fully grown. Canicross Trailrunners says at least 12 months; Canicross UK says 12 to 18 months depending on breed size, and recommends a vet check before starting.
What kit do I need for canicross?
A pulling harness for the dog, a waist belt for you and a bungee line between them. Beginners' sessions often lend all three.
Do I have to be a runner to do canicross?
No. Canicross UK says no fitness level is needed and its beginners' sessions mix brisk walking with gentle jogging.
Can any dog do canicross?
Many can. Canicross Trailrunners advises care with flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs and suggests asking your vet if you are unsure.
Where this comes from: Canicross Trailrunners, CaniCross; Canicross UK, Walk/Jog Canicross Sessions; Canicross UK, Your first Canicross Session; Canicross UK, Getting Started; The Royal Kennel Club, Canicross Recognised By The Kennel Club; PDSA, Exercising your puppy; American Kennel Club, How To Get Started In Canicross: Training Your Dog As A Running Buddy; Canicross USA, Current Chapters; Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k. Opened 14 November 2026.
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