How much exercise does a dog need at each age?

This is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog has a joint, heart or breathing condition, talk to your vet about the right amount of exercise first.

Why there is no single number for every dog

The UK veterinary charity PDSA says some breeds need a minimum of one to two hours of exercise a day, while working breeds need significantly more. A Border Collie, bred to work sheep all day, therefore needs a very different day from a Pug. And the same dog will need different exercise at three months, three years and twelve years.

The second factor is consistency. The veterinary group VCA puts it simply: a 20-minute walk every day is better than a two-hour walk on Sunday. A dog that barely moves all week and then runs for hours at the weekend is more prone to injury than a dog on a moderate daily routine.

A 20-minute walk every day beats two hours on Sunday. With dog exercise, rhythm matters more than records.

Puppies: lots of short chances, no pressure

You may have heard of the "5 minutes of exercise per month of age" rule. The PDSA states plainly that there is no scientific evidence behind this rule and that it is not appropriate for most puppies. Rather than counting minutes, watch your puppy and let them rest when they are tired. RSPCA Australia advises that if a puppy sits or lies down during a walk, you should let them rest rather than pulling them along.

The reason for caution is the growth plates in the bones, which only close once the dog is fully grown. According to the PDSA, most dogs are fully grown by one year, but large breeds such as the Labrador Retriever or Great Dane can take 18 months to two years. RSPCA Australia gives the same range of 18–24 months. Until then, avoid:

• jogging next to a bike or a person,
• frisbee and high ball throws that make the puppy leap and land on its hind legs,
• long, fast-paced walks on the lead.

Calm activity, on the other hand, is a good thing. A Norwegian study of 501 dogs from four large breeds (Krontveit et al., 2012) found that puppies using stairs up to 3 months of age had a higher risk of hip dysplasia, while puppies that exercised off-lead outdoors on soft, moderately rough ground up to that age had a lower risk. Too little exercise is not the answer either: the PDSA warns that an overly restricted puppy becomes bored and frustrated, which can lead to behaviour problems. Only walk your puppy in public places once they are fully vaccinated.

Adult dogs: every day, suited to the breed

The PDSA recommends that, unless your vet advises otherwise, an adult dog should have at least one walk a day. Some dogs prefer one long, leisurely walk; others prefer several shorter walks spread through the day. How to choose a dog whose needs fit your routine is covered in How to choose a dog for your lifestyle.

Exercise is not only walking. Scent games, learning new cues and swimming, which the PDSA notes is easy on the joints, are all useful additions. Go easy on ball throwing: sudden starts and stops strain the joints, so the PDSA advises against it for dogs that are still growing, elderly, injured, overweight or prone to joint problems.

Exercise and diet go hand in hand. A less active dog needs less energy, so whenever activity changes, check the food portion too, as explained in How much food does a dog really need?

Senior dogs: less at a time, more often

Older dogs do not need rest instead of exercise; they need different exercise. The PDSA recommends regular, gentle exercise, little and often, because joints get stiffer when they have not been used for a while. Choose a shorter route you can cut short and avoid steep slopes. According to the PDSA, older dogs cope less well with very high or low temperatures.

For dogs with osteoarthritis, exercise does no harm and, correctly dosed, it helps. The MSD Veterinary Manual notes that regular, controlled exercise reduces pain, and that weight control is the primary preventive measure. Cornell University lists lead walks and swimming among suitable low-impact activities.

Heat: most heatstroke happens during exercise

When people think of heatstroke, they usually think of hot cars. A study of UK veterinary practices (Hall, Carter and O'Neill, 2020) found otherwise: 74.2% of heatstroke cases were triggered by exercise and only 5.2% by being left in a vehicle. Among cases where the activity was recorded, 67.5% followed a walk.

The same study found that flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs such as Pugs and French or English Bulldogs are at even greater risk. A review of four studies in Veterinary Evidence (Clark, 2022) supports this finding. VCA stresses that flat-faced dogs need a different conditioning programme from, say, a Golden Retriever. In practice, that means shorter, calmer walks and only the cooler hours on hot days.

Exercise and meals

RSPCA Australia advises not to exercise a dog immediately before or after eating, as this can contribute to bloat. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) lists known risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus as a deep chest, a single large meal a day, older age and related dogs that have had the condition. For large, deep-chested dogs such as the Great Dane, it makes sense to do both: split food into two or three meals and leave a break between a meal and vigorous play.

Signs of too much or too little exercise

• Too much: a puppy sits or lies down mid-walk, a dog limps after exercise, is stiff the next day or reluctant to get up.
• Too little: boredom and frustration, which the PDSA says can show up as behaviour problems, plus weight gain.
• Possible pain: the dog avoids stairs or jumping onto the sofa, lags behind on walks or becomes irritable. Cornell lists these signs for osteoarthritis.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go running with my puppy?

Not until they are fully grown. The PDSA and RSPCA Australia both advise against running with a puppy because it is too intense for growing bones. With large breeds, wait until 18–24 months and check with your vet before you start.

Is a garden enough exercise for a dog?

Usually not. A dog may run around the garden, but the PDSA says dogs need at least one walk a day unless a vet advises otherwise. Walks also bring new smells, encounters and time together.

Should I walk my dog before or after eating?

Leave a break between meals and vigorous exercise. RSPCA Australia advises against exercise immediately before or after eating. For large, deep-chested dogs it also helps to feed several smaller meals instead of one large one.

How much exercise does a Pug or French Bulldog need?

Some every day, but in shorter, calmer sessions. Research shows flat-faced dogs have a higher risk of heatstroke, so on warm days walk them only in the cooler hours and stop when they start panting heavily.