How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need?
It depends on age and breed more than size.
By Pawfessor Editorial TeamUpdated 3 min read
The right amount depends far more on age, breed type and health than on size. A young working breed may need two hours of activity a day; an older toy breed may be happy with two short, sniffy strolls. Watch your dog: restlessness, chewing and attention seeking often mean they need more, while stiffness or lagging behind can mean less.
Brain work counts. Training, scent games and puzzle feeders tire dogs out in a different way, and they’re ideal on rainy days. See indoor games and check your breed’s needs in our breed guides.
Rough guide
- Puppies: short play sessions, a few minutes of walking per month of age, twice a day
- Adults: 30 minutes to 2 hours a day, depending on breed
- Seniors: shorter, gentler walks, more often
Frequently asked questions
Is one walk a day enough for a dog?
For some calm or older dogs, perhaps, if it's a good sniffy walk plus play and brain games at home. Most adult dogs do better with two or more outings a day.
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