How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?
Your dog needs exercise to keep healthy and fit, just like you do. A balanced exercise regimen can help prevent obesity, slow down cognitive aging, support strong joints and muscles, enhance cardiovascular health, and create wonderful opportunities for bonding with your dog. You should consider how much exercise a dog requires when creating an exercise regimen for them (and perhaps for you as well).
Learn how much exercise your dog needs and how to assess whether their present regimen is sufficient.
Factors Affecting a Dog’s Need for Exercise
Although we may (and will) offer broad recommendations regarding a dog’s activity needs, it’s crucial to keep in mind that every dog is unique. The breed, age, health, and personality of your dog all influence how much exercise they require.
Breed
The breed of your dog may affect how active they should be. More energetic breeds, such as Siberian huskies or Jack Russell terriers, may start to exhibit behavioral problems when they don’t get enough exercise, whereas a pug or mastiff may love spending hours on end relaxing around the home.
The intensity of exercise can also be affected by breed-specific traits. If pushed too hard during activity, a flat-faced (brachycephalic) dog, such as the aforementioned pug, may have trouble breathing and develop heat exhaustion. In general, huskies and other dogs with longer snouts will find it simpler to breathe during intense exercise.
While the husky may require three half-hour speed walks around the neighborhood to burn off their energy, the pug may be satisfied with a single 20–30 minute walk.
Age
The age of your dog affects how much exercise they need as well. Short bursts of action are more likely to appeal to puppies. According to some veterinarians, puppy owners should give their pets five minutes of exercise per month, once or twice a day. Therefore, their activity sessions may run approximately thirty minutes by the time they are six months old.