Spikes or no spikes

Studless soles was a huge disappointment. Already on my second run I slipped and lost grip.  I fell face down and intimately upon the ground. After this experience I purchased a new pair of orienteering shoes from VJ Sport in Finland. Rough wear is needed. 18 metal spikes in each sole provide the necessary grip for all conditions - wet, dry, snow or ice.  

Shy Varg
Thanks to my cross-contry running, dogs like Varg (on the picture), who unfortunately didnt get the socialization needed to be among strangers, can live a happy and active life running on places people usually never occur.

Studless shoes - a new experience

For the first time in years I have decided to try a pair of studless shoes with a sticky rubber sole. Years of canicross running with total confidence in the excellent grip the metal studs have given me makes it difficult to reconsider those soles. However I will give the soft sticky rubber a chanse this time. Canicross on bad trails or even outside any is a demanding sport. Especially it challanges your balance and coordination. It is nevertheless, the best way to give your wolfdogs proper exercise. Wolfdogs are lazy animals and without early stimulii for running, they will hardly develop their physical potential fully. At approx. 3 months old they should start to trot along with the older dogs outside in rough terrain. A restricted walk ("walk") on the leash along a road is the most detrimental physical activity for a young wolfdog during its physical development. A free and fast trot is the natural way of locomotion for a wolfdog when moving on a distance. The walk is only for short distance relocation around the den or atthe resting site. Large dogs that have been mostly walked along a road on a leash develop what I would call a " Gressus Vaccinus " better adopted for a cow. Observe their hips and you will understand.

Heil dir licht - heil dir sonne!

Spring is back with its light and sunshine. During this spring-walk in what gives the impression of being a "wagnerian" mythical landscape; music from "Der Ring des Nibelungen" comes like a deja vue to my mind and stays there for the rest of my walk. Heil dir licht - heil dir sonne!

Nordenden puppy 1 year old.

The grey dog in a bipedal pose is one out of three of the 2011 puppies from Nordenden. 55 kg at 1 year old indicates a considerable massive animal. Luckily he gets plenty of exercise in rough terrain with climbing and demanding runs. His ligaments, sinews, joints and muscles will be strong enough for his size, but not completed until between 2 or 3 years old. Correct nutrition will be critical for such an animal. Commercial dog-food will not suffice. The background scenery is the glacier "Folgefonna". The picture is shot at an island on the west-coast.

VARG

Longevity and healthiness.

Skarv when 8 months old after a 5 hours trip back in 2002. He is now running his 10th winter. Early exercise has never been detrimental to my dogs. Skarv runs as smooth and springy still at 10 years. Trail jogging starts at 3 months of age, but restricted walking on a lead is introduced gradually at a much later time.

Long shadows

January has short days and long shadows. Mother ahead with her son trailing behind. Two females resides at Nordenden. Both females have a male puppy each for a lifelong company.

VARG

High above

"Give me Health and a Day,
and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous"
Ralph Waldo Emerson.