Find your dog’s daily exercise needs based on size, age, and energy level. See total minutes, walks per day, intensity, and breakdown between walking, play, and training.
| Age | Small | Medium | Large | Giant |
|---|
Exercise is the cornerstone of a healthy, well-behaved dog. Under-exercised dogs develop behavioral problems, gain weight, and age faster. This guide covers how much exercise different dogs need, what activities count, and how to build a sustainable daily routine.
| Size | Base (adult) | Low Energy | High Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 30 min | 21 min | 42 min |
| Medium | 60 min | 42 min | 84 min |
| Large | 75 min | 53 min | 105 min |
| Giant | 60 min | 42 min | 84 min |
Scenario 1: Active Border Collie. James has a 3-year-old Border Collie (medium, adult, very high energy). Recommended: 108 minutes/day. He does: 30 min morning walk, 20 min lunch fetch, 40 min evening hike, 20 min training. Total: 110 min. His Collie is calm and content at home.
Scenario 2: Senior Bulldog. Maria’s 9-year-old Bulldog (medium, senior, low energy). Recommended: 25 minutes/day. Two gentle 12-minute walks. No running, no stairs, no hot weather. Focus on sniff walks (mental stimulation) rather than distance. Use our Dog Food Calculator to reduce food for lower activity.
Scenario 3: Puppy German Shepherd. David’s 5-month-old GSD (large, puppy, high energy). Recommended: 53 minutes/day. But critical: 5 min per month of age rule = 25 min max per session. He does 3 sessions of 18 min each. No jumping, no stairs, soft surfaces. Protect growing joints.
Scenario 4: Under-Exercised Husky. Priya’s 2-year-old Husky (medium, young, very high energy) is destroying furniture. Recommended: 130 minutes/day. She is currently doing 20 minutes. The 110-minute deficit explains the destructive behavior. She adds morning run, evening bike ride, and puzzle toys. Destruction stops within a week.
💡 Key insight: Giant breeds need LESS exercise than large breeds despite being bigger. Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Saint Bernards are gentle giants that tire quickly. Over-exercising giant breeds stresses their joints and heart. Moderate, low-impact activity is ideal for giants.
| Walking | 50% |
| Play/Fetch | 30% |
| Training/Mental | 20% |
| Min sessions | 2x/day |
| Puppy rule | 5 min/month |