We know our readers have dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes, and they live all sorts of different lives but every single one of them has two important things in common: they love their pets dearly and they want to keep them healthy and happy! A big part of owning a dog is making sure they get the exercise and stimulation they need, all whilst helping them live a long and active life. That’s why, for this month’s blog, we’re taking a closer look at how much exercise your dog needs to stay well.
It’s a great time of year to be thinking about it, too. Life can get a little trickier as we head into autumn and winter, when it’s dark before and after work and rain, cold temperatures and ice can make heading outside less appealing. Summer is usually more straightforward for British dog owners, with long days, warmer temperatures and, inevitably, the occasional shower, but this one has thrown us a bit of a curve ball. Weeks of very hot weather have meant there have been days when longer walks, especially during the heat of the day, haven’t been appropriate. Getting up at the crack of dawn, seeking out shade and finding somewhere safe for a much-needed splash have all become part of keeping our dogs happy through the heat.
So, consider this blog your year-round guide to figuring out how much exercise your dog needs for a healthy body and a happy brain. The first thing to know is that there isn’t one magic number. Age, breed, health, fitness and personality all play a part, so let’s break it down section by section.
What breed is your dog?
There’s a reason your spaniel wants to investigate every hedge, your retriever rarely passes up an opportunity to carry something, and your collie always seems to be looking for their next job. Over generations, different breeds have been selectively bred for purposes, and those instincts still influence the type and amount of activity they enjoy today.
Working and sporting breeds usually have lots of physical and mental energy, while dogs bred to retrieve, herd, hunt or flush game may particularly enjoy activities that give them an opportunity to work their brain and use those natural instincts. Scent work, retrieving, searching, problem-solving and training can be just as useful to think about as the number of miles covered on a walk.
At the other end of the scale are many of our smaller companion and toy breeds, some of which were bred specifically to live alongside people as companions and lapdogs. They still need regular exercise, of course, but those little legs may be happier with a few shorter outings rather than trying to keep pace with you on a long walk.
There are also some important physical differences to consider between breeds. Brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dogs can be affected by Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which can make breathing and exercise more difficult. Breeds commonly affected include French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus and Pekingese, as well as other dogs with very short muzzles. These dogs can find it particularly difficult to regulate their temperature in hot weather, so extra care needs to be taken when exercising them as temperatures rise.
Breed is only part of the story, though. If you have a working breed who would rather spend their Sunday afternoon snoozing than joining you for a ten-mile countryside ramble, that’s OK too! Every dog is an individual, and later we’ll look at why the length of a walk isn't the only measure of how much a dog gets out of it.
How old is your dog?
Just as our own activity levels and capabilities change throughout our lives, what suits your dog as a puppy may be very different to what they need in adulthood and their senior years.
Puppies
Puppies have lots of energy, but their growing bodies need appropriate exercise rather than just lots of it. You may have heard the old rule that puppies should have no more than five minutes of exercise for every month of age. There’s no true scientific evidence to support this, but it’s a great guideline to help stop the temptation to take them too far, too soon. Short walks, free play, exploring, training and socialisation can all contribute to their day without relying on long periods of repetitive or strenuous exercise.
Rest is equally important. Puppies do an enormous amount of growing and learning, and they need plenty of sleep to go with it. Give your puppy a comfy and cosy space of their own where they can switch off and, if you have children in the house, teach them that sleeping puppies should be left to rest.
Adult dogs
Once your dog reaches adulthood, their exercise requirements can vary enormously according to breed, size, lifestyle, fitness and personality. Regular activity helps dogs maintain a healthy body condition and muscle mass, while also supporting their general wellbeing. The important thing is to match what you're asking them to do with their current fitness.
If you decide you’d like to start taking your dog on longer hikes or perhaps have them join you for a run, build their fitness gradually rather than going straight from a daily potter around the park to a big day in the hills.
Older dogs
Regular, appropriate movement remains important as dogs grow older, although you may need to adjust the duration and intensity of their exercise or think more carefully about the terrain. Two or three manageable outings may suit an older dog better than one long, demanding walk, for example.
Keep an eye on how they move and how they recover afterwards, too. Reluctance to exercise, stiffness, changes in gait, struggling to get up after resting or taking longer to recover from a familiar walk are all worth paying attention to.
Supporting joint and bone health can also become increasingly important as dogs age. Our range includes nutritional supplements designed to support dogs at different stages of life, including products to support joint function and mobility. If you notice a change in your older dog’s mobility, willingness to exercise or general behaviour, always speak to your vet rather than assuming it’s an inevitable part of getting older.
Does your dog have any physical issues?
Your dog’s weight, any previous injuries, their joint health and current level of fitness will all affect how much exercise is appropriate. One thing to remember is that enthusiasm isn't necessarily the same as physical readiness! Plenty of dogs will keep running, playing or following you along a trail because they're having a wonderful time, even when their body could do with a break.
It’s particularly worth remembering if you want to take your dog on big adventures at the weekend, but their day to day life isn’t giving them the prep they need. If Monday to Friday generally involves a couple of relatively short walks around the neighbourhood, they won't necessarily be physically conditioned to tackle a huge hike or run on Saturday, even if they're bouncing around with excitement at seeing their lead.
Make sure you build distance and intensity gradually, allow time for rest and recovery, and consider the conditions underfoot as well as the distance you're covering. If your dog has an existing health condition, is carrying some extra weight, has experienced an injury or you have any concerns about their mobility, your vet is the best person to advise you on an appropriate level of exercise.
Physical exercise is only half the picture
So far, we’ve talked about physical exercise, but there’s another part of the equation that is every bit as important, and that’s keeping your dog's brain busy.
It’s easy to measure a good walk by how many steps you’ve done or how long you've been out but think about what your dog is doing along the way. Sniffing, exploring and investigating their surroundings are important activities too.
If your dog spends five minutes thoroughly investigating a particularly fascinating patch of hedgerow, you might not have covered much ground, but their brain has been hard at work. Giving dogs time to sniff and explore can make a shorter walk much more enriching, particularly on days when covering your usual distance isn't practical.
And that mental stimulation doesn't always have to happen on a walk. There are plenty of things you can do at home or in the garden, including:
● Scent games and searching for treats
● Food puzzles and snuffle mats
● Short training sessions
● Teaching new skills or tricks
● Games and play
● Retrieving toys
● Hiding favourite toys around the house or garden for your dog to find
● Scatter feeding in the garden
These activities can be particularly useful during a heatwave, on an icy winter evening or at any other time when your normal walking routine needs to change.
They can also be worth considering if you're continually adding more physical exercise because your dog seems restless or difficult to settle. Sometimes a dog genuinely does need more opportunity to move, but physical exercise isn't the answer to every behavioural problem. Boredom, frustration, anxiety or a lack of opportunities to use natural behaviours can all contribute too.
Keep increasing the miles and you may just end up with a very fit dog who still needs something more from their day! Look at the balance of physical exercise, training, enrichment, social interaction and rest, and seek professional advice from a dog trainer if you’re concerned about persistent or changing behaviour.
Is your dog getting the right amount of exercise?
In conclusion, rather than focusing solely on the number of miles or minutes you clock up each day walking, look at the whole dog and ask yourself:
● Are they maintaining a healthy weight and body condition?
● Do they appear comfortable during exercise?
● Are they keen to go out without appearing completely exhausted afterwards?
● Can they settle and relax at home?
● Have you noticed any changes in their energy levels, gait or willingness to exercise?
● Are they getting opportunities to sniff, explore, play, learn and use their brain as well as their body?
You know your dog and their normal behaviour better than anyone, so changes are worth paying attention to. A significant change in exercise tolerance, mobility or behaviour should always prompt a conversation with your vet.
