How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need?

1 Overview

Exercise Needs by Breed Group

1. Herding dogs: German Shepherd, Border Collie, Corgi, etc. need high-intensity physical and mental exercise – at least 120-180 minutes daily. Smaller individuals can do less; short-legged breeds should avoid prolonged high intensity and exercise in short, staged sessions.

2. Sporting dogs: Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shorthaired Pointer, Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, etc. need high-intensity physical and moderate mental activity – at least 120-180 minutes daily.

3. Hounds: Greyhound, Afghan Hound, Dachshund, Beagle, Foxhound, Irish Wolfhound, etc. need high exercise – at least 120 minutes daily.

4. Small and medium terriers: Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkie, Cairn Terrier, Spitz, etc. need moderate exercise – at least 90-120 minutes daily.

5. Working dogs and larger terriers: Bull Terrier, Doberman, Great Dane, Husky, Rottweiler, Tibetan Mastiff, etc. need suitable physical and mental activity – at least 60 minutes daily; some large breeds such as Husky and Doberman need 120-180 minutes.

6. Non-sporting and toy dogs: Eskimo Dog, Bichon Frise, Shar-Pei, Bulldog, Miniature Poodle, Maltese, etc. suit light physical and moderate mental activity – 30-60 minutes for smaller, 60-120 for larger.

Exercise Notes for Puppies and Senior Dogs

Exercise needs vary greatly by age. An adult dog generally needs 30 minutes to 2 hours daily. Puppies need less; before one year their bones are not fully developed, and intense exercise causes serious musculoskeletal injury. Small breeds can start short jogs around 9 months; large breeds develop slower and should wait until about 14 months. Senior dogs should not do prolonged intense exercise – a 10-15 minute walk daily is enough.

Exercise keeps a dog healthy and fit, but too much also harms the body, so owners must control the amount. If you have other questions, consult an online veterinarian.