Below is a bar chart of recommended minutes per day of exercise for 9 different dog groups. You will find a listing of specific dog breeds in each group.

How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need Every Day Based on Breed

For detailed information on daily dog exercise needs check out my article on How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need Every Day or take a look at How Much Exercise Does a Puppy Need if you have a Puppy

If you are uncertain of your dogs’ breed, then see if you can find a match in the descriptions. Or go to the American Kennel Club for a list of dog breeds with photos for most breeds.

Use the information as a guideline when it comes to exercising your dog. What is more important is to recognize when your dog is struggling and give him or her a break. Or even better, know your dog so well that you stop before your dog is overworked.

Energy Levels & Exercise Needs by Dog Group

There are extremely active dogs and low activity dogs. If you adopted, you should have a breed specified on your paperwork. Hopefully, the shelter or rescue got close to the correct breed(s).

Dog Breeds with High Exercise Needs

Dog Breeds in the Sporting Group

These dogs were bred to flush game birds in forests and retrieve them from the water. So taking then for hikes through the woods or swimming would be fantastic for them.

Because of their use by hunters, they are people-oriented and take well to training. This makes them some of the best family dogs because of how friendly they are.

They are described as alert and active, as well as intelligent. I would add that they can be highly energetic and playful.

Sporting dogs can handle long and brisk walks, which is a great way to burn off their energy. Also consider long hikes on forest trails, swimming. and playing fetch (especially for retrievers).

On a personal note, I enjoy hiking, camping, and swimming. My next dog will be a retriever who can accompany me on all my outdoor activities. I love my Staffordshire Terrier but he hates the water and he gets tuckered out rather easily. He doesn’t seem to enjoy camping.

Examples: (pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels)

Pointers: German Shorthaired, German Wirehaired, Weimaraner, Pointer
Retrievers: Golden, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Visla
Setters: English, Gordon, Irish Red & White, Irish
Spaniels: Boykin, Cocker, English, Irish Water, Sussex, Welsh

Daily exercise: These dogs need 60-120 minutes of exercise per day. Moderate to high activity is recommended for these dog breeds.

Dog Breeds in the Working Group

Energy levels for working dogs are best described as long and steady. A lot of descriptions for these dogs mention pulling sleds and carts. I guess so if you live on a farm or where there is a lot of snow throughout the year.

Some other jobs for working dogs are as a guard dog and in water and alpine rescue situations. They are happy when you give them a job to do.

If I had a working dog, I would have him drag me around on a sled after a snowstorm. I wouldn’t have to dig out my car to go to the store. A former client of mine has a retired dog sled husky. She would hook him up to a dog sled after it snowed and give the neighborhood kids a ride.

So having them guard your front door or pull children in a sled or wagon is a good job. Though they are not the best dogs for families or first-time dog owners.

Some can be on the big size and are hard to handle. Like sporting dogs, they take well to training which is good since you definitely need to train them They are fearless and can be overprotective of family members. That could be a problem when you have guests.

If you take them hiking, give them a vest to carry some gear. It will lighten your load and they will enjoy doing the work.

Examples:

Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain dog, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman & German Pinscher, Standard & Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Siberian Husky

Daily exercise: These dogs need 60-120 minutes of exercise per day. Moderate activities like hiking would be a good choice. Avoid running and high-intensity exercise.

Dog Breeds in the Herding Group

Herding dogs were bred to move livestock which can be seen in the names sheepdogs and shepherds (“sheep” + “herd”). They herd animals by running around them, barking, nipping their heels, or my favorite, using strong eye contact.

But in a non-farm environment, they will tend to herd people, especially children. If you see them circling children, you need to intervene to make sure they don’t nip their heels (seriously).

They enjoy mentally and physically demanding exercise and play, as they are very intelligent dogs with high energy levels. Physical and mental stimulation is required for herding breeds. Like working dogs, they are happy when they have “work” to do.

Training is easy with this group of dogs. Once trained, they obey orders easily. They are very good with other dogs and with people they know, but they tend to be suspicious of strangers.

German Shepherds are notably versatile. They are used as an assistance dog for people with disabilities, and for work with the police, in rescue and drug or explosives detection. Quite a resume!

Examples: (sheepdogs, collies, and shepherds)

Sheepdogs: Belgium, Old English, Shetland, Welsh Corgi
Collies: Border, Bearded, Shetland, Rough Collie
Shepherds: Australian, German, Belgian

Daily exercise: These dogs need 60-120 minutes per day with at least 60-90-minutes of vigorous exercise. Try using a Chuckit ball launcher or a Frisbee to give them intense exercise.

Dog Breeds in the Terrier Group

Terriers were bred to chase or dig out game such as rats, stoats, foxes, and even birds. They are very tenacious and want to attack, bite or even kill that which they hunt. I had a Jack Russell bite me on my hand and my cheek. Thankfully, not seriously.

They remind me of Honey Badgers – small animals not afraid to attack lions. Terriers will attack bigger dogs or really anything that they want to attack. It’s not advisable to adopt a terrier if you already have a dog, have cats or small children.

Also, don’t adopt a terrier is you have a garden that you love. They love to dig. Unless you have vermin eating your vegetables then let them loose and you won’t have vermin for long.

But not every breed is that feisty. I have a Staffordshire Terrier (small pit bull) who is afraid of my cats. He wouldn’t attack anything. Westies and Yorkies are totally fine. As I mentioned, Jack Russell’s can be aggressive as can Schnauzers.

But let’s assume you already have a terrier and can handle him or her. Exercise for these dogs would involve chasing a ball, especially a squeaky ball.

Terriers are difficult to train because of how feisty they are. They have a mind of their own and a strong will.

Examples:

Airedale terrier, American Staffordshire, Australian, Border, Bull, Beddington, Cesky, Cairn, Dandle Dinmont, Irish, Jack Russell, Lakeland, Manchester, Norfolk, Scottish, Westie, Welsh, Yorkshire

Daily exercise: These dogs need 60-90 minutes with 30 minutes or so of moderate to intense play.

Dog Breeds in the (Scent) Hound Group

All hounds were bred to locate and chase game animals. As a result, keep them on a leash or in an enclosed area or they will take off.

Scent hounds are sturdy & tough, being able to follow a scent for miles. They do not move as fast as their sighthound cousins, but they won’t stop following a scent. This makes them great for hunting and as search dogs.

By the way, those long floppy ears are what helps guide scents to their noses. Hiding treats would be a great exercise for these dogs.

Some hounds make a unique sound known as baying. Baying is a combination of barking and howling. If you can’t imagine the sound of baying, just think of any movie or TV show where dogs are being used to find someone.

They make excellent pets and are great with children.

Examples:

Beagle, Bloodhound, Basset, Coonhounds, Elkhounds, Fox, American Foxhound, Austrian Black & Tan, Beagle-Harrier, Hungarian, Serbian.

Daily exercise: These dogs need 60-90 minutes of exercise per day, moderate to intense activity. Long hikes would be no problem for these dogs. The exception to that would be the Basset Hound which has more moderate exercise needs.

These Dog Breeds Have Medium to Low Exercise Needs

You will see breeds repeated in this section. There are breeds in the brachycephalic, toy and large dog groups that are members of the other dog groups.

Also, given the low amount of recommended activity for these dogs, make sure to watch their weight. Don’t overfeed them.

Brachycephalic Dog Breeds

Brachycephalic, or short-nosed & flat-faced dogs, were bred to have shorter snouts either for fighting reasons or because it made them appear more human. The shorter snouts may result in stronger jaws, and do look really cute.

They have a hard time breathing and can easily overheat, collapse and suffer heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Actually, these dogs have a number of health issues. For more information, take a look at a great article called Brachycephalic Health on the UK Kennel Club website.

But don’t let their health issues prevent you from adopting one of these dogs. I’ve walked almost every one of the specific breeds mentioned below and they are fantastic dogs. My personal favorites are King Charles Cavalier and Shih Tzu.

Exercise for these dogs should be moderate and in short amounts. Also, avoid exercise in hot weather. Even though they have health concerns, they still need to get exercise since they are prone to obesity. Either take longer walks in the morning or try indoor exercise when it is hot outside.

Examples:

American Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon. Bull Mastiff, English & French bulldogs, King Charles Cavalier, Lhasa Apso, Pugs, Shih Tzu

Daily exercise: These dogs need 20-30 minutes of exercise per day. Take it easy on these guys and gals. Simple short walks are ideal with maybe some brief indoor play when the weather is bad. Also, use a harness rather than a collar which could further restrict their breathing.

Dog Breeds in the Toy (or Small Dog) Group

If Brachycephalic dogs were bred because they looked like babies, then these dogs were bred to be super cute lap dogs.

The majority of toy breeds are great for training, though some can be more difficult to train. You may need to train them to stop their barking and nipping.

They are great if you live in a small apartment or if you are a first-time dog owner, though you may need to train them to not bark so much. You will hear it from your neighbors if they are constantly yapping.

Given their size, they are fearful and, as a result, will want to constantly be by your side. They love the constant attention. Even though they can be prone to injury, these little dogs can also be quite tough for their size.

You’d be surprised how fast and far they can walk. And if they get tired, you can simply pick them up and carry them home.

Examples:

Bichon Frise, Brussels Griffon, Chihuahua, Italian Greyhound, King Charles Cavalier, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Pekinese, Pomeranian, Toy Fox Terrier, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Yorkie

Daily exercise: These dogs need 30-60 minutes per day of moderate exercise. Because of their size, they can be exercised inside a house or apartment.

Dog Breeds in the (Sight) Hound Group

Sighthounds were bred to hunt game animals by sight and then to chase them down. Some common physical traits are sleek bodies and long legs (stream-lined for speed).

They do not need as much exercise as scent hounds. Although they are the fastest dogs out there, they only need moderate exercise.

Many breeds are excellent with children, though sighthounds may not be able to control their desire to chase the little ones (training).

Examples:

Afghan Hound, Basenji, Borzoi, Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound, Whippet

Daily exercise: These dogs need 30-45 minutes per day of moderate exercise with an occasional short burst of running. Make sure to run them in an enclosed area.

Giant Dog Breeds

These large breeds tend to weigh anywhere from 60 to 120 pounds. Unlike toy dogs, they need a lot of space to move around.

It’s common for them to have joint and hip issues as they age, so be prepared for the added vet expense and concern for their well-being.

They are also prone to a condition known as bloat. I’m not a vet or personally familiar with the condition, so I’ll leave it to you to research that further.

The great thing about large breeds is that they look quite intimidating. As a result, their presence alone can scare away shady characters on the street or intruders into your home. It’s actually quite funny how intimidating they seem when they are actually gentle giants.

Many of them are good swimmers. Swimming is, therefore, a great exercise being that the weight on their joints is reduced in the water. Make sure to research your specific breed to see if they are good swimmers or not.

Examples:

Alaskan Malamute, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Leonberger, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Saint Bernard

Daily exercise: These dogs need 30-45 minutes per day of moderate exercise.

When in doubt about how much exercise your dog needs, just take it easy on them. If you are new to owning a dog, or just adopted a dog, take some time to get to know him or her. In time you will know your dogs’ exercise needs even if you are unsure of their breed.

The post Dog Exercise Needs By Breed (Basic Guide & Time Chart) appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

Senior dogs should be less than an hour and only through walks. Active breeds and adult dogs should get an hour or more. Puppies fall somewhere between senior dogs and active dogs.

And extreme weather conditions tend to reduce the amount of time that you can exercise certain dogs. In that case, do either multiple short walks or try indoor exercise for your dog.

Determining How Much Exercise Your Dog Needs Every Day

The amount of exercise that a dog needs every day is particular to each dog. But let’s use some common sense.

Puppies are very active but tire out easily. Also, their bodies are not fully developed so excessive activity can cause injuries. Read my article How Much Exercise Does a Puppy Need for tips if you have a puppy.

Senior dogs are like old people – they walk really slow and get tired easy (no offense meant to grandparents).

Then there are adult dogs, and their exercise needs vary by size which is a function of their breed. Different breeds have different activity levels and exercise needs. Check out my article Dog Exercise Needs By Breed for specific guidelines.

In general, adult dogs are like adult people. People who do not exercise are prone to being overweight and tire easily. The same goes for dogs. Healthy adult dogs can handle a good amount of exercise with some exceptions by breed.

Short-nosed breeds tire easily. Examples are bulldogs, pugs, boxers, and some toy dogs. “The longer the nose, the longer the walk goes.” I know, that’s bad grammar but it sounds good.

So try to do a few walks per day with each walk for a certain amount of time. The amount of time and distance of each walk will depend on his age, breed and activity level and overall health.

Go directly to:

• How often to walk your dog
• How long to walk your dog
• How far to walk your dog
• Dog overexertion symptoms
• Cold weather exercise
• Hot weather exercise
• Exercise for senior dogs

Q & A for You to Know Your Dog’s Needs

There are some questions to answer to know how much exercise your dog needs.

First, did you just adopt your dog, or have you had your dog for some time? If you have had your dog for a while, then you should be able to tell when he has had enough or not.

If you just adopted a dog, then you don’t know how much exercise he needs. Just start slow and see how he does. It won’t take you long to find out if he is a mellow dog or a ball of energy with four legs.

Secondly, can you pick up your dog and carry him if he starts to struggle? If not, just walk around the block. If he is fine, do another lap. I once walked an old overweight Labrador too far on a hot day. It’s not easy carrying a 100-pound dog a few blocks back to your home.

Finally, what kind of exercise are we talking about? There are two types: walking and playing. Give your dog at least 2-3 walks per day. And if they can handle it, puppies and adult dogs could also use some play time as well.

How Often Should You Walk Your Dog?

This one is easy. You should walk your dog at least two times every day. Three times is better. I personally walk my dog four times every day.

Keep in mind that puppies and senior dogs can’t hold it for long. They most likely need more than 4 walks a day.

You obviously should walk your dog first thing in the morning. You have to walk him for as long as it takes for him to go to the bathroom. Then do a walk as soon as you get home from work.

If you can, hire a dog walker for afternoon walks while you are at work.

And finally, do a night time walk so that he can relieve himself before settling down for the night. He is going to have to hold it until the morning walk, so make sure he takes care of business.

For the weekends, repeat the weekday schedule of walks so he has a regular routine. And if the weather is nice, take him for an extra walk or two. It’s a great excuse to spend some time in a local park.

Bottom line: take him out for a walk at least three times every day.

But let me ask my dog: “Hey, Buddy. How often should I walk you?” He told me to quit my job and walk him 10 times a day every day. Sorry, Bud, that’s not going to happen.

How Long Should I Walk My Dog?

As mentioned above, 30-minutes to two hours a day depending on your dog. You can easily get 45 minutes with two to three 15 or 20-minutes walks every day.

The main thing is to have him relieve himself during the walks. But don’t be the type of owner who immediately turns for home when he does his thing. Walk him a while longer so that he can do some smelling and maybe meet other dogs.

I think you should give your dog one “long” walk every day. It’s easy to cut his walks short because you are busy or have plans. If your dog brings you joy then try to give back. Give him a major romp to have fun, to smell everything and to get a lot of exercise while doing all that.

Let me ask my dog again: “Hey, Buddy, how long should your walks be?” He said until he gets bored and then to take him home.

How Far Should I Walk My Dog?

Some dogs walk fast, some slow. Other dogs move with speed and purpose, while others need to smell every 10 feet. I’d say walk them as far as you want to go. Just pay attention to how they are doing as you build up to longer walks. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine as times goes by.

And the size of a dog can be deceptive. You would think big dogs can walk farther than small ones. But I have found that the opposite is true. Big dogs are carrying around a lot more weight and they can get tired easily. Some small dogs will want to walk all day.

I was hiking one time with a group of people and there was a woman with a very small dog (can’t remember the breed). She mentioned that she would take him on 3-4 mile hikes. That’s a tough little dog. There are a lot of people who can’t walk that far.

Hiking and exploring local trails can be a lot of fun for you and your dog.

Try to make the one long walk a long distance walk as well. An added benefit to the exercise is that it will tucker him out. If you can, try to do this walk as the last walk of the day.

“Hey, Buddy, how far should I walk you?” He said until he gets tired then I have to carry him home. Not going to happen, Bud.

So unless your dog can talk, use the guidelines above until you get to know your dog.

Dog Overexertion: Over Exercised Dog Symptoms

As mentioned above, short-nosed breeds tire and overheat easily. They, like any dog, will start to pant heavily if they are overworked. Learn how to read your dogs’ body language and throttle back the exercise if you notice a problem.

Obvious signs to look for are limping or favoring a leg. Not so obvious signs are excessive panting, extreme thirst, lagging behind or not moving at all. Notice when your dog is panting or drinking more than normal. Know your dog.

Also look at the pads on their paws after a long romp. Make sure they are not red or have noticeable tears in the padding. If they start limping or have trouble walking, then they overdid it. Make a note of how much exercise they did and make sure they don’t play that hard in the future.

But try to stop the play before your dog overdoes it, This is especially true with puppies whose bodies are not fully developed and can easily injure themselves.

Older dogs will stop walking when they are tired. Let them catch their breath. The distance they can walk will only get shorter as they age. Make a note and alter the walks accordingly.

You need to learn your dog’s limits just like you had to learn his walking habits.

Dogs and Cold Weather

Sled dogs have no problem with cold weather. Neither do dogs with thick fur. However, dogs with short fur will have problems in extremely cold weather. Keep that in mind if you have a dog with short fur.

This is why you need to know if you can carry your dog or not. If your dog starts shivering uncontrollably, then he may be experiencing hypothermia. Pick him up and carry him home immediately.

Better yet, buy him a sweater and keep the walks short. My dog is an Amstaff and he gets cold easy. I bought him a Charlie Brown looking sweater which everyone loves. People always laugh when they see him. It helps to keep him warm but I keep the walks short in frigid weather.

You are going to have to try and get exercise in at home when it’s really cold outside. Take a look at the Exercise Indoors section in my Puppy Exercise article.

Dogs and Hot Weather

My dog is the smaller pit bull breed known as American Staffordshire Terrier. He has a medium sized nose and black fur so he gets overheated easily.

I make changes to his walks on really hot days. The walks are either short or I bring a bottle of water and a collapsible water bowl.

You need to say something when you see someone walking a dog on a hot day and their dog looks distressed. Hopefully, the owner listens to you.

Try indoor exercises or give your dog a long morning walk on extremely hot days.

Amount of Exercise for Senior Dogs

Last but not least, let’s take a look at the old dogs. Old and in the way. If they are in the way, you need to walk over them. They are too tired to move for you. How many times have you had to step over an old dog?

Senior dogs cannot walk as far as they once did, and they walk really slow. But they still need their exercise.

I’ve walked more than my share of elderly dogs, and usually, the walk is only for a block or two. Sometimes, they can’t even walk the entire block.

So get whatever you can. Walk them 3-5 times per day so that they can relieve themselves. Keep walking if they seem like they still want to walk.

Know your elderly dog’s halfway point. Ask yourself, “If I keep walking him, will he be able to make it all the way back home?”

What is the halfway point for your senior dog? And keep in mind that point will change from day-to-day. Sometimes they have good days, and sometimes they have bad days.

Don’t worry so much about the amount of time unless the weather is extreme. It’s more about knowing when it is time to turn back home.

So the answer to “How much exercise does a dog need every day?” depends on a lot of factors. Just go slow until you know your dog and his limits.

The post How Much Exercise Does A Dog Need Everyday? appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.