From Chihuahuas to Huskies, every breed needs different exercise. Here's exactly how far and how often.
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The single most common mistake dog owners make is under-exercising their dog. The second most common? Over-exercising puppies. Getting the balance right matters for your dog's physical and mental health.
| Dog Size | Daily Walk Time | Distance | |----------|---------------|----------| | Toy (under 5 kg) | 20–40 minutes | 1–3 km | | Small (5–10 kg) | 30–60 minutes | 2–5 km | | Medium (10–25 kg) | 45–90 minutes | 4–8 km | | Large (25–45 kg) | 60–120 minutes | 5–12 km | | Giant (45+ kg) | 30–60 minutes | 3–6 km |
Note: Giant breeds need less exercise than you'd expect. Their joints can't handle prolonged impact.
For puppies, the Kennel Club recommends 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice daily. So a 4-month-old puppy should walk for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
This is especially important for large breeds. Over-exercising a growing Labrador, German Shepherd or Golden Retriever can cause permanent joint damage. Growth plates don't close until 12–18 months in most breeds.
Older dogs still need daily exercise but may need:
1. Let them sniff: A 30-minute sniff walk is more mentally tiring than a 60-minute march. Let your dog explore 2. Vary your routes: New environments provide mental stimulation that familiar routes don't 3. Train during walks: Practice recall, sit, and heel. Walks are the best training environment 4. Weather awareness: Dogs overheat faster than humans. If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws 5. Off-lead only when safe: Only let your dog off-lead if their recall is reliable. Use a long line for training
Every dog needs daily exercise. The amount varies dramatically by breed, age and individual. An under-exercised dog is an unhappy dog — and usually a destructive one. Match your exercise commitment to your breed's needs before you buy, not after.
Greyhounds, Whippets, and Basset Hounds are among the most low-maintenance breeds. They need moderate exercise, have easy-care coats, and are naturally calm indoors.
Greyhounds, Basset Hounds, Shih Tzus, and French Bulldogs cope better with alone time. However, no dog should be left alone for more than 4-6 hours regularly.
Yes. Every dog needs basic obedience training, socialisation, and house training. Low-maintenance breeds are simply easier to train and less demanding of ongoing stimulation.
Generally yes. Adult dogs are usually house-trained, past the destructive chewing phase, and have calmer energy levels. Senior dogs may need more vet visits but less active supervision.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are often cited as the easiest dogs to look after. They're adaptable, gentle, easy to train, and happy with moderate exercise.