How many hours should a dog be active?

Around 30 to 60 minutes of daily activity is sufficient for them. Medium to large breeds, such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, or Boxers, require more exercise—typically about 1 to 2 hours a day. These dogs often require 2 hours or more of intense physical and mental stimulation. Puppies are full of energy, but their exercise sessions should be short and playful to avoid overexertion. Frequent, short play sessions spread throughout the day are ideal to help them grow strong without putting too much strain on their developing bodies. Older dogs may be less active but still require regular movement to keep their muscles and joints healthy. Gentle walks and occasional playtime ensure that they stay fit without being overwhelmed. The right amount of exercise is vital for your dog’s health. Be sure to adjust their activity level based on their breed, size, age, and health condition.

Dogs need to exercise daily. While the age and breed of your dog may affect your dog’s ability to exercise, all dogs still need to take part in some form of daily physical activity. Exercise needs are based on a dog’s age, breed, size and overall health. However, it is generally recommended that your dog spend between 30 minutes to two hours being active every day—and not just on the weekends. Your veterinarian can help you decide exactly how much exercise your dog actually needs. Breeds in the hunting, working or herding groups will need the most exercise. If your dog is in one of these groups and is in good health, she should be getting at least 30 minutes of rigorous exercise along with her one to two hours of daily activity. If your dog is a short-nosed breed, like a Bulldog, he will not tolerate a lot of daily exercise once he is fully grown. A casual walk around the neighborhood will be sufficient. As a general rule, you can tell your dog needs exercise if she is restless or pacing.

Every dog's daily schedule should include walking to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Typically, dogs require a minimum of one to two walks per day, unless advised otherwise by your veterinarian. It’s also sensible to avoid steep slopes, as they put extra pressure on the joints. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, it’s essential to keep them moving regularly throughout the day to prevent their joints seizing up but the exercise they do should be low impact. It’s best to start training when they are a puppy but it’s never too late to begin teaching an older dog. If you think your dog is struggling, speak to your vet about how you can improve their diet and exercise routine. If done in the wrong way, it could even make things worse, as exercising a stressed dog in a busy environment can make them feel more stressed. Exercise is an important factor in dog behaviour, as dogs with excess energy often become frustrated, stressed and find it difficult to cope. Having a good exercise routine may help to improve any unwanted behaviours, but is unlikely to fix the problem completely.