Dog Exercise Needs Calculator

Dogs have widely varying exercise needs depending on their breed group, age, size, and health. Providing the right amount of exercise is essential for a dog’s physical health, mental wellbeing, and behavior. Under-exercised dogs often develop destructive behaviors, anxiety, and obesity.

Exercise by Breed Group

High Energy (60–120+ minutes/day)

• Working dogs: Siberian Husky, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois
• Sporting dogs: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Vizsla
• Terriers: Jack Russell Terrier, Airedale Terrier

Moderate Energy (30–60 minutes/day)

• Hound group: Beagle, Greyhound (surprisingly!), Bloodhound
• Herding (lower end): Australian Cattle Dog, Cardigan Corgi
• Non-sporting: Dalmatian, Poodle

Lower Energy (20–40 minutes/day)

• Brachycephalic breeds: French Bulldog, Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier (avoid overheating)
• Giant breeds: Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard
• Toy breeds: Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomeranian (short but frequent walks)

Age Considerations

Puppies: Do not over-exercise. A common rule is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice per day. Puppy joints are still developing — hard runs can damage growth plates.

Adult dogs (2–7 years): Full exercise capacity. Follow breed guidelines.

Senior dogs (7+ years for large breeds, 9+ for small): Reduce intensity and duration. Watch for stiffness after rest, which indicates arthritis. Short, gentle walks are best.

Signs of Under-Exercise

• Destructive behavior (chewing, digging)
• Excessive barking or whining
• Jumping and hyperactivity indoors
• Weight gain
• Anxiety or restlessness

Signs of Over-Exercise

• Extreme fatigue after walks
• Limping or reluctance to walk
• Excessive panting that doesn’t resolve
• Lagging behind on walks they normally enjoy