Apples and oranges...hard to describe if you have never seen one of these dogs in action, believe me!

What do they miss out on that they don't get on a well thought out, stimulating walk?

I guess you have never owned a HPR then.

I'd say for every mile I walk my Slovakian runs triple that amount, easily. She runs for the sake of running and then some. She lives for it.

Freedom.

You can't get away from that an on lead dog is chained to whoever is walking them.

Cosmo runs like that too. Chasing me and objects and frolicing in mud. He doesn't actually run a lot just for the sake of running though, there tends to be a purpose, even if that purpose is running to the next bush! It never seems to be for long either...he won't just run.....and run...and run...I'm not sure many dogs do as that would be so very worrying with an offlead dog! Cosmo is energetic offlead...of course he is, but he always runs for a reason and never just for the sake of it (excpet in that initial couple of minutes). Even if it is running to his fav puddle...it is for a specific reason. I would have my heart in my mouth if a dog ran.....and ran...just for the sake of running as that would be such a self rewarding activity you would never get them back surely?

That's why I think that dogs on a long line can have just as much fun you see...give them a long enough 'lead' and they do not have to restrict their freedom much.

I'll gladly try if you define to me what it is. I don't want to read through all this again (I have been trying to write an assignment and failing miserably, again, thanks to the distraction of Dogsey!! ).

If lead walking and training is enough for a dog, then why do all the police working dogs get to have a tea-break and be allowed to have a good run, and the policemen say, they have to have time during their working day, to just be a dog and have a good run around (as seen in Send in the Dogs last week)

Also, I think dogs have a short enough life as it is, so for me, I like to think I make that short life as happy as possible for them, and as I said before, with my breed, to see the look of sheer delight on their faces having a good game with another dog or just running back to me with that ball, is enough to let me know they love to run Even one of veteran age, he still loves to run!

I think that a working dog like that needs a release form the stress of a the working situaition.

They are not working at what they are bred for and they are also working in highly tense and stressful situaitons - like people they need a break. Your average dog does not have to deal with that.

You know a lot of Flat Coats then? You are assuming they are a typical retriever breed?

Not that worrying ....but it depends on the space! Mum has 2 that (Used to - bit old now) run round the edge of a field 2-3 4 times....just running next to each other.

This picture was taken about 30 mins into a walk....

Gabe, Siren and Trip just run.....and run....and run.....there is no real direction or intention to where they run...they just do!

That being said....I do feel you can give a dog a fulfilling life without this!

Ahhh now as a pack...yes they are more inclined to run and run...but agian isn't that running with a purpose? Play?? Would the same dogs do that on their own?