On the first weekend in November, Frida and I went to the World Canicross Championships (running with dogs) along with 1000 other dogs and athletes.
The sport of canicross (running with a dog) is still small here in Denmark, but in many places abroad it is a very popular sport. Every year the International Canicross Federation, ICF, holds the World Championships for all member countries - and this year more than 1000 were registered. There are competitions in both running and also cycling and scootering (a large scooter) with a dog. In Denmark, we have had the opportunity to join in the last few years through the new federation, the Danish Canicross Federation.
Frida and I were also there back in 2022, and it was great to have the opportunity again, as Frida is now 8.5 years old and is slowly approaching "running retirement". And it is always a huge experience to see the world's best compete! - it is fantastic to see what these teams can achieve together. And the dogs are a chapter in themselves: The vast majority are specially bred mixes of German shorthaired pointers, greyhounds and huskies. "Eurohound/Scandinavian hounds" or "Greysters" are the names of these long-legged, athletic dogs. They can pull a bicycle at over 35 km/h or runners at up to 25 km/h!
At this pace, a small, short-legged golden like Frida can't compete. So we knew from home that we weren't there to fight for the podium places. For us, the most important thing was to be representatives that many dogs can enjoy and love canicross! Frida and I have been running together since she was about 1 year old, and although we have tried many other types of dog sports together, the race is our favorite. I was a little curious, though, whether she would still have the "spark" to run a big event, as it was a difficult course and with a lot of unrest. But of course my little star was totally ready!
For many dogs, it can be really difficult mentally to focus on running when there are a lot of other dogs, spectators, photographers, etc. So here it was really nice to have an experienced partner. Frida had full focus the whole way and pulled me through well. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the extra cheers we got from the spectators along the way. Even though 95% of the participants have the special running dogs, the few of us who ran with regular dogs were really supported. On the Danish team, we also had the smallest dog in the race, a cocker mix weighing under 10 kg, and she became everyone's favorite.
We had two fantastic races - and yes, we finished in the last 1/3 of the field. But even though I'm usually very competitive, it didn't mean anything in this setting. Because we had done our best and ran one of our best times. And so it was first and foremost about having another great experience with my best running partner. Nothing can beat the feeling you get when you run with your dog as a team. It's a very special feeling. And after so many years together as a team - with lots of competitions at home and abroad, it was an emotional moment to cross the finish line together once again and know that it might be our last "big" race together. It was also incredibly touching to get a lot of sweet comments both live and via social media from people who have been inspired to start running with their dogs of different sizes.
Frida was the only golden who competed. So of course we could take home the title of the world's fastest golden! And a huge shared experience richer.
Would you also like to start running with your dog? Then check out DIRTY PAWS - Running club for dogs and owners , which has clubs around the country.
About the blogger:
Karoline lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and their two golden retrievers, Frida and Vilde. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championships and the World Championships. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to it. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, including when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Vilde is from the spring of 2023 - and in many ways Frida's opposite. She is full of mischief and always happy and cheeky. She can howl like a wolf or jump like a kangaroo when she gets impatient - and otherwise she is a smart and brave girl who loves wild play and training. She will do pretty much anything for a treat.
Frida, Vilde and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower
The world's fastest golden!
On the first weekend in November, Frida and I went to the World Canicross Championships (running with dogs) along with 1000 other dogs and athletes.
The sport of canicross (running with a dog) is still small here in Denmark, but in many places abroad it is a very popular sport. Every year the International Canicross Federation, ICF, holds the World Championships for all member countries - and this year more than 1000 were registered. There are competitions in both running and also cycling and scootering (a large scooter) with a dog. In Denmark, we have had the opportunity to join in the last few years through the new federation, the Danish Canicross Federation.
Frida and I were also there back in 2022, and it was great to have the opportunity again, as Frida is now 8.5 years old and is slowly approaching "running retirement". And it is always a huge experience to see the world's best compete! - it is fantastic to see what these teams can achieve together. And the dogs are a chapter in themselves: The vast majority are specially bred mixes of German shorthaired pointers, greyhounds and huskies. "Eurohound/Scandinavian hounds" or "Greysters" are the names of these long-legged, athletic dogs. They can pull a bicycle at over 35 km/h or runners at up to 25 km/h!
At this pace, a small, short-legged golden like Frida can't compete. So we knew from home that we weren't there to fight for the podium places. For us, the most important thing was to be representatives that many dogs can enjoy and love canicross! Frida and I have been running together since she was about 1 year old, and although we have tried many other types of dog sports together, the race is our favorite. I was a little curious, though, whether she would still have the "spark" to run a big event, as it was a difficult course and with a lot of unrest. But of course my little star was totally ready!
For many dogs, it can be really difficult mentally to focus on running when there are a lot of other dogs, spectators, photographers, etc. So here it was really nice to have an experienced partner. Frida had full focus the whole way and pulled me through well. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the extra cheers we got from the spectators along the way. Even though 95% of the participants have the special running dogs, the few of us who ran with regular dogs were really supported. On the Danish team, we also had the smallest dog in the race, a cocker mix weighing under 10 kg, and she became everyone's favorite.
We had two fantastic races - and yes, we finished in the last 1/3 of the field. But even though I'm usually very competitive, it didn't mean anything in this setting. Because we had done our best and ran one of our best times. And so it was first and foremost about having another great experience with my best running partner. Nothing can beat the feeling you get when you run with your dog as a team. It's a very special feeling. And after so many years together as a team - with lots of competitions at home and abroad, it was an emotional moment to cross the finish line together once again and know that it might be our last "big" race together. It was also incredibly touching to get a lot of sweet comments both live and via social media from people who have been inspired to start running with their dogs of different sizes.
Frida was the only golden who competed. So of course we could take home the title of the world's fastest golden! And a huge shared experience richer.
Would you also like to start running with your dog? Then check out DIRTY PAWS - Running club for dogs and owners , which has clubs around the country.
About the blogger:
Karoline lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and their two golden retrievers, Frida and Vilde. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championships and the World Championships. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to it. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, including when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Vilde is from the spring of 2023 - and in many ways Frida's opposite. She is full of mischief and always happy and cheeky. She can howl like a wolf or jump like a kangaroo when she gets impatient - and otherwise she is a smart and brave girl who loves wild play and training. She will do pretty much anything for a treat.
Frida, Vilde and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower