How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need? A Breed-by-Breed Guide

How much exercise does a dog need? Less than a Border Collie fan thinks, more than a Chihuahua owner hopes – and it depends far more on breed than on size. Here is a clear breed-by-breed guide, plus the signs that your dog is quietly asking for more.

How much exercise does a dog need per day?

There is no single number. The UK veterinary charity PDSA says exercise needs depend on breed, age, health and personality, and that most dogs need at least one to two walks a day. Some breeds need one to two hours daily, and working breeds significantly more.

Think of it like people: a marathon runner and a book lover can both be healthy, but they don't recharge the same way. Your job is to find your dog's sweet spot – the amount after which Max settles down happily at home instead of pacing the hallway.

The figures below come from two well-known UK sources: The Kennel Club's breed pages and PDSA's breed guides. They are guidelines for healthy adult dogs, not laws. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health issues need a plan from your vet.

Dog exercise by breed: the table

We picked breeds you meet every day on Dutch and Flemish streets. In Flanders, for example, the most registered dogs in 2025 were crossbreeds, followed by the Dachshund, Chihuahua, Labrador and Poodle, with the Golden Retriever, Jack Russell, Border Collie and French Bulldog also in the top 11 (Flemish government figures).

Notice the small differences, like the Jack Russell ("up to" one hour versus "at least" one hour). That's normal: these are averages. A lively young terrier will happily take more; a calm older one may need less.

Herding and working dogs: Border Collie, German Shepherd

These dogs were bred to work all day. PDSA advises spreading their two-plus hours over several walks, with off-lead time in a secure area and training on top. Physical exercise alone isn't enough: a Collie who only runs gets fitter, not calmer. Give that brain a job.

Gundogs: Labrador, Golden Retriever

Born to retrieve and swim. PDSA suggests a mix of walking, running, retrieving, sniffing and swimming for Labradors, adapted to each dog. Many Labs are greedy too, so regular exercise helps keep their weight in check.

Terriers and Dachshunds: small, but not lazy

A Jack Russell is a big dog in a small body. PDSA recommends a couple of walks with lots of sniffing time, plus off-lead running in a safe place. Dachshunds, the Flemish favorite, get "up to an hour" from The Kennel Club – steady walks suit them better than wild jumping.

Flat-faced breeds: French Bulldog

Up to an hour a day, split into a few shorter walks. Heat is the big watch-out: Dogs Trust warns that temperatures as mild as 21 °C can cause problems, especially for flat-faced dogs. Walk early or late on warm days, keep it slow, and choose a harness over a collar (see harness or collar).

Toy breeds: Chihuahua, Maltese

About 30 minutes a day, ideally as two small walks so they can sniff and explore. Tiny legs, big curiosity. Skipping walks because "he's small anyway" is a classic mistake.

And the Labradoodle?

The Labradoodle is a cross, not a recognized breed, so there is no official guideline. Both parents – Labrador and Poodle – are active dogs, so plan for an energetic companion and adjust to the dog in front of you. Your vet can help you set a target.

Exercise is more than miles

A 90-minute march on a tight leash can leave a dog less satisfied than 45 minutes of sniffing, exploring and playing. Brain work tires dogs out too.

Science backs this up. In a 2019 study by Duranton and Horowitz, dogs that did two weeks of nosework (search games) responded more optimistically in a judgment test afterwards, while dogs doing heelwork training did not change. Letting your dog use his nose isn't wasted walking time.

• Sniff walks: a slow route where Luna decides the pace and the smells.
• Search games: hide a few treats in the grass or along the path.
• Short training: five minutes of "sit", "wait" or new tricks mid-walk.
• Play: tug, fetch or a game with a dog friend, where it's safe and allowed.

Signs your dog needs more exercise

Vets at PetMD list six common signs that a dog isn't getting enough activity:

1. Weight gain – often together with too many treats.
2. Destroying things – chewing furniture, digging at doors, raiding the bin.
3. Withdrawn behavior – less interest in you and the family.
4. Hyperactivity – zoomies indoors, jumping up, poor manners.
5. Excessive barking or whining.
6. Stiffness – especially in older dogs, as muscles weaken.

Too much, or the wrong kind?

More isn't always better. PDSA advises building fitness gradually, giving growing puppies gentle exercise to protect their joints, and keeping older or arthritic dogs on low-impact activities without lots of chasing, jumping and skidding. Senior dogs often need a little less than before.

Watch the day after a big outing too. If Rex is stiff, limps or doesn't want to go out, that was too much – scale back and talk to your vet if it keeps happening. On hot days, skip the midday walk entirely.

What a good week can look like

Three examples, to make it concrete:

• Sam, Border Collie, 4 years: a long morning walk with off-lead time in a losloopgebied, a short noon round, an evening sniff walk with ten minutes of tricks. Weekend: a longer hike or a dog sport.
• Bo, French Bulldog, 3 years: three short, calm walks, a sniff game at home. In summer: outside before 9:00 and after sunset.
• Luna, Chihuahua, 6 years: two walks of about fifteen minutes, with all the sniffing she wants, plus play indoors.

Covering more ground with a strong dog? A shock-absorbing lead makes long walks kinder on your arm. A no-pull harness with a front D-ring helps too: when your dog pulls, it gently turns him back toward you, with pressure on the chest instead of the throat.

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Bungee Leash

A stretch section absorbs sudden pulls, so your shoulder and your dog both feel less of every jolt.

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Also check your local leash rules before you unclip – they vary by town (more in our guide to dog rules in the Netherlands and Belgium). And yes: all that walking is good for you as well. Here's what the studies say.

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