Hi,
It is a bad reason for getting a dog. It is a pretty big responsibility and will change your life. It's expensive, time consuming, etc etc.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/ready.htm

However, if you are willing to take it on, make sure you get one that can run.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

I run with my Jack Russell and love it. We've gone up to 10 miles or tempo runs at 6:30 pace and I'm definitely done before she is.

Nothing gets a bigger reaction than "Daisy...Wanna go for a Run?"

I agree: running is not a good idea in itself for obtaining a pet. If you do, though, be sure to keep the dog well-hydrated. I live in FLA; I used to run with my lab, and he would dehydrate QUICKLY (and that's not including the summer months). Bring water or make sure he has access to water SEVERAL times throughout the route of your runs.

Another reason it's good not to run with a dog is liability. Think about it: you and your dog are running along; another runner approaches with his dog. Boom! Instant dog fight, not to mention a hinderance and a danger to other runners and pedestrians along the path. Plus, you have to clean up after them. I own 2 dogs and I love and treat them like my children, but when I'm running, I can't stand to see people allowing their dogs to meander along the running path. I think it's inconsiderate to runners; but, then again, I run along a path designed for runners and walkers.

Get a dog, but not just to run with. Let him run in the backyard.

Check out my posting titled "running with Fido" several pages back. I love running and I love my highly inergetic dog, so I find that running together is very enjoyable for both of us! Yes, there are some very important precautions to take seriously, but a dog can be the very best running buddy. It is important that you have the time and patience to train your dog to run with you and definately keep him on a leash if there are ANY potential dangers where you run. The gentle leader works very well. Also, as suggested above try a retractable leashe or a wastebelt. I use a squirt bottle for water and share it with my dog, and I am very careful to watch him for any signs of exhaustion. As a small, young woman I feel so much safer running with my dog than alone. He gets so excited about our runs together and it keeps us both so healthy!

Love dogs, hate stupid people that won't clean up after them! Keep the dog on a leash and .... scoop!! Nothing worse then running or hiking and continually coming across some poop. What, you think your momma runs out after you and cleans it up for you?

An amimal should be treated almost as you would a child. So be prepared for a life time commitment. Too many animals are obtained for selfish reasons and later abandoned or dumped at a shelter.

We are a family of runners and have a 7 year old rottie and a 3 year old boxer. The rottie won't run more than 1/4 mile, but the boxer has been running with us for years and LOVES it. She and my husband do an 8 mile trail run (off leash) nearly every day and while she is a very social dog, she stops for NOTHING when on a run. The rottie taught her from an early age to step off the trail to do her business (we live in the woods and they step off the lawn into the woods at home), so there is no need to scoop. The only thing she likes better than running is mountain biking because that means she goes farther and faster. She considers my husband's usual 6:30 pace pretty slow - you don't want to know what she thinks of mine! We do have to be extra careful in the heat of the summer, but my husband carries water if he's going long or biking, and our trails have streams which she drinks from, splashes is, immerses in, depending on the weather. Good luck - what a joy to have an always ready to go running buddy, and I ditto the woman who have said it's safer. Rocky wouldn't hurt a fly, but other people don't know that (we consider her so little too at 65#. Our rottie is 120#, but others think she's formidable).

Since you asked.
I dislike it.
I consider it selfish of me to take advantage of a dog's natural instinct to hunt and run in packs to accompany me on a recreational activity.All my terriers love running so I take them for their runs. Not mine.
My runs are for me and sometimes a consenting adult human.
I love dogs and running so I hope you do get a dog for the right reason:Love.

Bst,
Ken

I got a dog 8 years ago for the same reason...for a running companion. Of course, having grown up with dogs I am aware of their undying companionship and devotion as well. I adopted a 4 month old Golden Retriever at the time and starting at 6 months (with an okay from the vet about his medical condition) began to take him running with me. He is now turning 8 years old and accompanies me on most of my daily runs. He has even completed 10 mile runs with me through the years. If he is tired he lets me know and we stop. I wouldn't trade the years and companionship that the two of us have spent "on the pavement" and "trails" over these 8 years. He is in excellent physical shape and LOVES the time with me as well!