Built to Hunt: Training for Endurance and Stamina

After more than 30 years of breeding and training bird dogs—and dedicating the last decade exclusively to Brittanys—I've learned that building their endurance requires more finesse than many realize. These natural athletes possess boundless energy and drive, but transforming that raw potential into sustained hunting performance demands a structured, thoughtful approach.

Brittanys are natural sprinters, quick to dash after anything that catches their attention. I've clocked them sprinting at 30 mph. While their enthusiasm serves them well in short bursts, teaching them to maintain a steady lope—a pace between a trot and a run—is critical for hunting success. This measured pace allows them to cover ground efficiently while conserving energy.

Endurance training begins with simple, low-impact exercise. Daily walks of 2-4 miles allow for assessing your dog's natural gait, building muscle, and developing cardiovascular fitness without overstressing developing joints. I also incorporate about 20 minutes of supervised free running in open fields. Letting the dog set its own pace teaches energy management naturally while reinforcing recall skills.

Michigan winters provide ideal conditions for training. The cold weather reduces risks associated with ticks, mosquitoes, snakes, mud, and heat exhaustion, making it possible to train more consistently and safely for longer sessions. I take full advantage of this by conducting hour-long runs in open woodlands, where varied terrain—snow, steep hills, and other natural obstacles—helps build strength, agility, and stamina.

One challenge of winter training is protecting a dog’s paws from the elements. I’ve learned the hard way that prolonged exposure to snow and ice can lead to cracking or painful buildup between the pads. To prevent this, I apply Musher's Secret before runs or use booties when conditions are harsh. If cracks do develop, Bag Balm works well for healing.

With this increased exertion, proper nutrition becomes even more important. Be prepared—this level of activity often requires a 50-100% increase in food intake. I feed a high-performance diet year-round and carefully adjust portions to match exertion levels, ensuring my dogs get the energy they need without overfeeding. The added calorie burn from winter training means they require significantly more fuel to maintain peak condition (see my post on https://www.spiegelbirddogs.com/post/power-up-your-pup-13-criteria-that-define-the-best-performance-dog-food  at Spiegel Bird Dogs).

After eight weeks of daily winter training, my dogs are at peak condition with controlled breathing and quick recovery times. However, free running includes sprinting, walking, and standing, with little sustained loping.

For advanced conditioning, roading remains one of the most effective methods I've found for developing the loping pace and building endurance. Roading involves having the dog lope alongside a moving ATV or bicycle while wearing a harness, ensuring steady and controlled movement over longer distances. While many handlers use an ATV, I’ve found that roading with a bike offers unique benefits—not just for the dog, but for the handler as well.

Maintaining a steady 11-12 mph pace over varied terrain builds your dog's endurance while allowing them to scent effectively, cover ground efficiently, and avoid overexertion from excessive sprinting. At the same time, cycling forces you to match their pace, turning roading into a shared conditioning program. Pedaling consistently over longer distances provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, strengthens your core and legs, and improves overall balance. Unlike running, cycling has a lower impact on the joints, making it a sustainable endurance-building exercise for both you and your dog. Over time, you’ll notice increased stamina, leg strength, and overall conditioning—just as your dog does.

Timing is crucial—I never start roading before 24 months of age to ensure growth plates have fully closed. Starting earlier risks long-term joint damage. When introducing roading, I begin with 10-minute sessions at a walk (5 mph) to acclimate the dog to the harness and ATV or bike. After a couple of sessions, I gradually increase the speed to a lope of 11-12 mph, then add 5 minutes every other session to the duration. At 45 minutes, I road two days on and one day off. For longer durations of up to an hour and twenty minutes, I switch to one day on and two days off.

Selecting a harness for roading requires careful consideration. While some trainers avoid harnesses entirely due to their impact on dog biomechanics, I believe the advantages of roading with a proper harness outweigh the risks when balanced with free running. The key is choosing a non-restrictive harness design.

The best harness styles fall into two main categories: Y-front (also called Y-shape) and chest-strap (also called straight front). I strongly favor Y-front harnesses, where two straps fit snugly near the dog's neck and join a third strap that runs beneath the chest. The meeting point of these straps should rest precisely on the manubrium—the front-most point of the chest bone. When fitted correctly, Y-front harnesses stay clear of the dog's scapula (shoulder blade) and humerus (upper arm), allowing for natural, unrestricted movement. I always tell my fellow dog owners to find a retailer with a good return policy, then select a Y-front harness in their dog's size for a trial fitting. Getting the fit right is absolutely crucial—the Y should sit squarely on the manubrium, and no part of the harness should interfere with the scapula or humerus.

Avoid chest plate, front clip, no-pull, or step-in harnesses, as these significantly restrict shoulder and elbow movement. Also, steer clear of harnesses with adjustment buckles directly over the shoulder joint, as these can lead to injuries.

Recent studies (see references) in 2023 and 2024 have shown that harnesses do impact a dog's biomechanics, affecting extension and flexion of both shoulder and elbow, stride lengths, and weight distributions. These effects vary significantly by breed and harness fit. Given this research, I've adopted a balanced approach: using properly fitted Y-front harnesses for roading while ensuring plenty of free running time. This combination provides the benefits of structured training while minimizing potential negative impacts.

A vital post-workout tip: within 30 minutes after roading, give your dog Annamaet Glycocharge mixed in lukewarm water (around 100 degrees). This recovery formula dissolves better at this temperature and won't shock your dog's elevated body temperature.

While I used harnesses with drag chains decades ago to build strength and endurance, I've abandoned this method as the risks outweigh the rewards. For those still considering weighted training, limit any additional weight to no more than 10% of your dog's body weight and stick to open terrain to minimize injury risk.

Through decades of experience, I've learned that each Brittany responds differently to training. Some dogs naturally follow the loping pace, while others need more guidance and patience. I pay close attention to my dogs' body language and energy levels, adjusting the program to ensure training remains safe and enjoyable.

This methodical approach to conditioning will serve you well across countless hunting seasons. When done right, it becomes more than just preparation for the field—it strengthens the bond between handler and dog, fostering mutual trust that pays dividends in the field. Trust the process, respect your dog's development timeline, and the results will follow.

Remember to check with your veterinarian before starting any intensive exercise program, particularly for young, senior, or health-compromised dogs. Happy training!

References:

Williams, E., Hunton, V., Boyd, J., & Carter, A. (2023). Effect of harness design on the biomechanics of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2023.2259796

Dowdeswell, L. and Churchill, L. (2024), 'The Influence of Harness Design on Forelimb Biomechanics in Pet Dogs', Reinvention: an International Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 17, Issue S1, https://reinventionjournal.org/article/view/1372