"Running with my dogs has been a great way for me to change my workout," says Guillermo Rojas, New York City Road Runners Club member and dog owner. Rojas has two mutts: Chewy, a greyhound, pit bull and black Labrador mix and Pharaoh, a shar-pei, retriever and pit bull mix. "It's helped me change the pace of my runs. My dog will sprint sometimes for 30 seconds and then go back to a jog, so it's a very effective way to alter the pace of your workout."

Dogs have the potential to be great running partners, but certain considerations must be made when choosing a breed for running. Some good choices are dalmatians, English setters and golden retrievers. They can log up to 35 hours a week, according to the book Running With Man's Best Friend by Davia Anne Gallup (Alpine Publication, 1986). Hunting dogs, such as pointers and weimaraners, are bred to track down birds over great distances, which makes them ideal jogging partners as well.

Here are some other points to consider when sizing up your canine's potential:

Certain breeds are better suited for strolling, such as big, lumbering dogs. The same goes for small, energetic dogs with short legs. Short, heavy dogs, such as basset hounds, aren't suited for running. Also, people and other animals will often distract some dogs that are very excitable, and scent hounds stop too often to sniff around.

Smaller dogs with short noses, such as pugs, should not be taken out on a run. Their noses make it difficult for them to breathe. Generally, dogs with long snouts breathe easier and can run greater distances. Australian and German shepards are great runners.

Every dog is an individual. Even if you own two golden retrievers, one dog may be more adept at running longer distances than the other. Never push your dogs to run more miles than they can muster. Know how hard you can push your pooch. "Pharaoh will only go for about 30 minutes before he's ready to hit the showers, but Chewy can run with me for up to an hour and a half," says Rojas.

Like any runner (human or otherwise), a dog that spends its days sleeping in the backyard and getting little exercise beyond a daily walk is not ready for the demands of running extended miles. Dogs, like people, must train in order run long distances. With any breed, check first with your vet to clear your dog for running.

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