Dog expert reveals how long you should really walk your dog each day
As a dog owner, taking your four legged friend out for a walk every day is non-negotiable as it is essential our furry friends are getting a sufficient amount of exercise. But how long should you actually be walking your dog for according to the experts and government advice?
Most pet owners are likely to decide how long their dog gets outside based on a number of factors. For example, their age, health, size and breed are all likely to play a part in this decision.
However, the choice ultimately comes down to the owner. Dog experts at The Kennel Club have now offered their advice in the debate about how long dog owners should walk their pets for. They said: "Every dog should have at least one walk a day, often two, given that in some circumstances, under veterinary advice, the dog should be rested.
"The Government recommends that we get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, and this is something that everybody can achieve - and go beyond - on a daily dog walk.
"The amount of exercise your dog needs will vary according to its breed, but every dog should have at least one walk a day, often two."
The dog experts also advised that walking distance will be different for puppies and fully grown dogs, the Express reports.
They explained that puppies need less 'formal' exercise and therefore long walks "can overtire them."
While the amount of exercise your dog can manage varies between breeds and the health of your dog, they did give a rule of thumb that can help determine how much exercise is required for your pooch.
According to The Kennel Club, the ideal amount is "five minutes of formal exercise per month of age (up to twice a day) until the puppy is fully grown i.e., 15 minutes (up to twice a day) when three months old, 20 minutes when four months old and so on.
They added: "As they become older, they'll be able to cope with larger amounts of exercise".
Veterinary doctor Nicole Rous backed this up in a TikTok video where she explained: "The rules are different for puppies and for adult dogs. There is a great rule of thumb for puppies - it's five minutes per month of life, and you can do this twice a day."
Dr Nicole added: "So, if you have a four-month-old puppy, four times five is 20, you're looking at exercising for 20 minutes twice a day. That includes walks and things like that, but it also includes exercise in the back yard and games you're playing.
"Adult dogs average 30 to 60 minutes a day, but this one's variable. So, if you've got a really active breed like a Border Collie, you're probably looking at one to two hours.
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"If you've got a more sedentary breed, you might be looking at two 20 minute walks a day rather than the full hour. Now, for senior dogs, we're at a similar level - 30 to 60 minutes, but the type of exercise is really important to look after their joints.
"We want to look at low impact exercise, so walks, look at the surface you're walking on and then consider things like hydrotherapy - that's a really good exercise for the oldies to include in their regime."
Dr Nicole stressed the crucial importance of maintaining exercise for dogs as they age to keep their minds active. The advice has resonated with numerous dog owners, as they were quick to share their own stories.
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