Just like humans, it is vital that dogs also exercise to stay in top shape and health! In addition to keeping the immune system healthy, it provides the dog with the mental stimulation they need to feel good on an emotional level as well.
A good training regimen is also an important part of socializing because your dog will be able to meet other dogs outdoors and avoid disruptive and destructive behavior.
Dogs of various breeds and types have variable levels of required physical activity. For example, a Border Collie’s level of physical energy is not comparable to that of a Poodle. So let’s see how much exercise the dog must have every day and, in this regard, what differences there are between the most common breeds.
In this article, we will answer the question “15 Dog Breeds and How Much Exercise They Need?”
How much exercise should the dog have?
The amount of daily activity that your dog requires is determined by their breed. Some breeds need more training than others, but don’t think that because yours is a small dog they require less effort! Jack Russels Terriers, for example, are known for their liveliness and requires a great deal of exercise to keep their energy in check. On the other hand, the Great Dane is a gentle giant that only needs moderate training.
So, if you are planning to welcome a dog into your home, you need to consider how much time you have available to give them proper care and attention. If you want to find out how much exercise your dog needs to have, here are some examples of the most common breeds and the time you should devote to their physical training.
Note: A medium level of activity is still necessary for all dogs. An average of 20-30 minute walks per day can be considered the minimum limit for keeping your dog active and cheerful.
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5 dog breeds that need more than two hours of exercise a day
Boxer: Large, adorable dogs known for their playfulness and long walks.
Border Collie: Regarded as the smartest breed, these dogs require a lot of physical activity. It is difficult for them to get tired!
Golden Retrievers: Great hunters, Golden Retrievers love water and swimming – a great way to expend all their energy!
Dalmatian: They need training that is both mental and physical together to keep them from getting into trouble. On the walk, take games like Frisbees and balls with you and try to let it dump a little.
Irish Setter: Typically mischievous and with a lot of energy. They can be very athletic dogs.
Siberian Huskies: They even need more than two hours of daily exercise because of their high level of activity. After being released off the leash, it might be challenging to convince a Siberian Husky to come back to you due to their superior hunting instinct and stamina.
5 dogs that need an hour a day of exercise
Basset Hound: The Basset Hound can become bratty when bored, but the excessive effort can damage his joints, so he favors short walks to make him happy.
Whippet: Despite being a pretty athletic breed, the Whippet probably doesn’t need as much exercise as is believed. They are sprinter dogs, but not endurance dogs, so a walk of about 30-40 minutes at a brisk pace is enough for him.
Border Terrier: Their energy levels possess a lot of variety, Tthey love being outdoors and being playful. Ideally, they should get up to one hour of physical activity a day.
English Bulldog: Lazy in temperament, these dogs require minimal exercise.
St. Bernard: These giants grow fast but, as they can suffer from bone problems, they require relatively small amounts of movement.
5 dogs that need about 30 minutes a day of exercise
Cavalier King: Affectionate and great companion, the Cavalier King loves to take your cuddles. He prefers to stay at home with you than perform demanding activities.
Pug: A notoriously companionable breed, they are dogs that like fun but are a bit lazy and love spending time with their family.
Bullmastiff: Lovers of the lazy life, they are perfect dogs for apartment living because they require little physical activity.
Shih Tzu: Cuddly dogs that keep lots of company and require little movement.
Photo from @marie_the_shih_tzu
English Mastiff: Strong but lazy dogs require little physical activity despite their size. Known to be giants with a heart of gold.
Whichever breed your dog belongs to, it is important to make sure that walking is part of his daily habits to keep him healthy, help him develop his sociability, and strengthen his immune system.
If your pooch does not exercise enough, he could gain weight and this could cause joint problems, as well as excessive barking, rough play, destructive behavior, lack of sociability, and even aggression.
Some ways to exercise your dog
Run and walk with your dog
It can be very useful to take the dog for a run or walk without a leash in fenced areas even once or twice a week. For some dogs, it is very important to vary the routes often because they encounter new and various stimuli. And the dog, moreover, must have the opportunity to smell the ground, to look around. This is, in fact, his way of exploring and getting an idea of the world around him.
Play with your dog
In addition to physical activity, it is very important to provide the dog with things to do during the day, like physical activity, but also mental! The more a dog is mentally stimulated and has to solve more or less complex “tasks”, the more physically tired he will be. For this reason, it is important to make the dog play games that stimulate him psychologically such as interactive games that release dog food rewards (eg Kong or the Food Cube), mental activation games, and education exercises (teaching him to “sit”, the “earth”, the “come”, etc.).
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Not all dogs are the same
Dogs that play sports, such as Agility, Obedience, Fly ball, etc., release much of their energy and have less need for long walks; but often the dogs that do sports are the most active and therefore with the greatest need for “movement”.
It is generally believed that the need for “movement” is proportional to the size of the dog but in reality, it is not quite so. There are, in fact, very active small dogs such as Jack Russel Terriers and large dogs that prefer to stay lying down in the house by the fireplace like the Great Danes. Furthermore, as mentioned before, two dogs of the same breed can have very different activity needs! Even amongst dogs, as amongst humans, there are lazy and super active dogs.
The Risks Involved When Your Dog Does Not Get Enough Exercise
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Inactive dogs are more likely to be overweight dogs, and just as with people, being overweight comes with a number of health hazards.
Diabetes, lung illness, and heart disease are all conditions that are made more likely to occur in obese dogs. It makes common orthopedic problems, such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, worse. Tendons, Joints, and ligaments may all be put under additional strain by obesity.
Older dogs already have enough trouble standing up on their own without having to deal with the additional challenge of lifting more weight.
