How often should I walk a dog?

Updated 17/05/2023

How often should I walk my dog? It’s a question on every dog owner's lips. Walking your dog is one of the best activities you can do to take care of their physical and mental well-being. Not only does it enhance their stamina and maintain good joint health, but it also gives them some much-needed mental stimulation, too. 

Determining how many walks a day for a dog depends on several factors, such as your dog’s age, breed, health, and overall energy level. No two dogs are the same (one might enjoy a long walk a day, while others prefer a few ten-minute strolls, for example). Keep reading to learn more about how often you should walk your dog, including practical advice on different breeds. 

Why is walking your dog so important?

Walking your dog isn’t just about getting out for some fresh air. It’s about keeping them healthy in a multitude of ways, including: 

Weight control 

Regular exercise helps your dog to burn extra calories and maintain a healthy weight. It also helps them work up a healthy appetite. 

Joint health

Ever stiffened up after sitting for a long period of time? Your dog is no different and keeping them active helps with joint mobility and keeps the muscles surrounding them in good shape.

Digestive/urinary health

Regular walks help keep your four-legged friend, literally regular. Exercise helps aid digestion and reduces the risk of constipation. Also, peeing their way around your local area isn’t just good for their bladder health; it’s an important way for them to communicate with other dogs. 

Stimulation 

A mentally stimulated dog is a happy dog and walks are a great way to engage their brain. Our dogs experience so much through their noses so foraging, sniffing, and exploring all help to stimulate their brain, staving off boredom and behavioral issues. 

How often should different sized dogs be walked?

Whether you have a miniature dog, a giant breed, or a pup somewhere in between, every dog is different and has different exercise needs. If you have a sporting or working breed such as a Collie or Spaniel, they may have higher exercise requirements than smaller toy breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Pomeranians.  

How often should you walk a small dog?

How many times a day should you walk your dog? This is a question you might ask yourself a lot, especially when you have a small dog. Most small pups can tolerate 20–30-minute walks on a daily basis if they are relatively fit but this all depends on the health and age of your dog. Many small terrier breeds like the Jack Russell are boundless balls of energy and need lots of stimulation and exercise to release their pent-up energy. Companion breeds like Chihuahuas may benefit more from short bursts of exercise spaced out regularly throughout the day. As these dogs aren’t high-energy types, hours of intense activity won’t be necessary. Instead, we recommend short daily walks to keep them physically fit. 

How often should you walk a medium-sized dog?

In general, mid-sized canines need about 40 to 80 minutes of walking every day. Sniffer dogs like Beagles and high-intelligence breeds such as Border Collies will definitely enjoy an activity challenge. For these types of dogs, an hour and a half of daily walks and exercise is the minimum requirement. You might find that medium-sized dogs like Staffies benefit from joining you on a run, so consider starting running practice with them. As long as you start slowly and always consider the age and condition of your companion, it’s a great way to build stamina and bond with them.

How often should you walk a large dog?

If you’re a large dog owner, then you know bigger means... more. More food, more grooming, but not necessarily more exercise! Depending on your breed, you may need to pound the pavements for a good two hours, or three 15-minute strolls might be enough to satisfy your giant pup. Large breeds like St Bernards and Mastiffs need a moderate amount of exercise (one long walk or half an hour play session may be enough), while more athletically built Great Danes typically need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day to keep them fit. And as we mentioned before, it’s always good to spread your dog's exercise across the day rather than trying to do a heavy session in one go.

How to figure out your dog’s exercise tolerance

One of your most important jobs as a dog parent is to provide a regular exercise regimen (for you and your dog). You can do this by starting as soon as possible to get them used to a regular routine and boost their stamina. But how do you know how much exercise your dog needs? 

To figure out the right amount of time to walk your dog, take your pup out for a walk to monitor their energy level. For example, if they burst out the gate at an energetic pace, it might be a sign that they need more regular walks. Alternatively, if he or she starts to slow down around 25-30 minutes into the walk, they may be getting tired and need to take it slower. 

As you walk, keep an eye on your dog’s pace as they go. Do they slow down even more, or have they settled comfortably into a slower pace? If they start to slow down even more, then it might mean they have walked too far and will benefit from shorter distances in the interim.  

Once you are home, take note of your dog’s behavior. Do they immediately flop down on the floor or bed? Drink lots of water? If so, they may have over-exerted themself. They should be settled and moderately tired after exercise, but not exhausted. And after a long walk, if your dog starts limping then it’s a certain sign that you need some professional advice. Get your dog checked over by your vet to see if there are any underlying issues that might need treatment or a more considered exercise program.

Just like our own fitness levels, our dog’s tolerance for exercise can be increased gradually and improved. Take your dog’s fitness slowly week by week. By slowly building up their stamina you can safely and healthily condition your dog’s body while avoiding injury. And of course, only walk your dog if they're feeling well - if your dog has a temperature, skip the walk until you know your pooch is healthy enough to trot along beside you.

Activity level needs by dog breed groups

How many times should I walk my dog, based on their breed type? We have discussed exercise based on a dog’s size but, as we mentioned, some dogs are naturally more athletic than others. Much of this has to do with what the dog was originally bred for. Working breeds like gun dogs and hounds may have higher exercise requirements than toy breeds which were bred to be lap dogs. But don’t forget that your dog’s individual personality plays a part too. 

Gundogs and pastoral breeds

All gun dogs share a common purpose with their key role to aid in finding and retrieving. And whether your gun dog is a working breed or a family pet, they all have the same instincts and that usually means a high-energy dog with the endurance of a train! Along with their extensive physical exercise needs (we recommend one or two hours of daily moderate-intensity exercise), they need a lot of mental exercise to wear them out. If you’re looking for a way to stimulate these breeds during your daily walk, consider going off-lead with a fetch-related activity. 

Toy and utility breeds

Many breeds fit into this group. The most petite pups like the Chihuahua can weigh a lightweight 6lbs or less, whereas the Pug and French Bulldog are often the most stocky of this group weighing above 20lbs. Despite being bred as companion dogs, these dogs still need more exercise than most people think.

Because they’re small, a couple of short 15-minute walks a day should work well as long as it’s supplemented with plenty of games and playtime. Looking for a different activity? Toy breeds are quick to learn tricks and some even excel in obedience and agility training.

Terriers

Small and mighty, terrier breeds have endless energy and need plenty of stimulation to fend off the boredom blues. Despite their small size, breeds like Cairn and Bull Terriers should still get 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise a day. Because of their natural hunting instincts, they love playing hide-and-seek for treats and will benefit from hide-and-seek activities.

Hounds

If you’re a Greyhound, Wolfhound, or Deerhound owner you may already know the struggle of getting these often quite lazy dogs out the door. That’s why a 20 to 30-minute walk each day along with a few harder sprint workouts later in the week will do wonders for these dogs. Scent hounds like Beagles and Bloodhounds have higher exercise needs – a 60-minute walk every day is recommended for these dogs.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

So what’s the definitive answer to “how often should I walk my dog?” Well, the answer depends but at least once a day, preferably twice for moderate to high-intensity energy breeds. If you’re planning a holiday, finding a pet sitter on TrustedHousesitters will help keep up your dog's routine, from their daily walk to dinnertime.