How Far Should You Walk Your Dog? (It Depends on the Breed)
If you’ve ever Googled “how far should I walk my dog,” you probably got the same frustrating non-answer: “It depends.”
Which is true. But also not helpful.
The real answer involves your dog’s breed, age, health, and energy level. A 2-year-old Border Collie and a 9-year-old Bulldog have wildly different walking needs. Treating them the same is how you end up with either a destructive, under-exercised dog or a limping, overworked one.
So let’s break it down by breed type. Because “it depends” is only useful when you know what it depends on.
Why Breed Matters So Much
Dogs were bred for specific jobs. Retrievers retrieved. Huskies pulled sleds through snow for hours. Bulldogs… guarded stuff and then took naps.
Those original purposes shaped each breed’s stamina, build, and exercise tolerance. A Border Collie can run for miles and barely look winded. A French Bulldog might be panting after a 15-minute walk around the block (their short snouts make breathing during exercise genuinely harder).
According to Wisdom Panel’s veterinary team, exercise needs vary from 30 minutes a day for low-energy breeds to 90+ minutes for sporting and working dogs. The AKC’s guidelines echo this, noting that a dog’s breed heavily influences the level of physical activity they need.
Here’s a practical breakdown by breed group.
High-Energy Breeds: 60 to 90+ Minutes
These dogs were built to work. If they don’t get enough exercise, they’ll find their own entertainment (and you probably won’t like it).
Sporting breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Vizslas thrive on long walks, runs, and active play. Aim for at least 60 to 90 minutes of walking daily, and they’ll happily take more.
Herding breeds like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and German Shepherds need both physical and mental stimulation. A 60-minute walk is a good baseline, but these dogs also benefit from activities that make them think (puzzle toys, fetch with rules, agility work).
Working breeds like Huskies, Malamutes, and Boxers have serious stamina. They were bred for pulling, guarding, and long-distance movement. Sixty to 90 minutes of exercise daily is a reasonable target, split across one or two walks plus active play.
For these breeds, a 20-minute walk around the block isn’t exercise. It’s a bathroom break.
Medium-Energy Breeds: 30 to 60 Minutes
These dogs enjoy a good walk but don’t need to be running marathons.
Terriers like Jack Russells, Westies, and Scottie dogs are energetic for their size. About 60 minutes of walking and play keeps most of them happy. Don’t underestimate them just because they’re small. Jack Russells, in particular, have more energy than some dogs twice their size.
Hounds like Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Greyhounds are interesting because they vary a lot within the group. Beagles are nose-to-the-ground explorers who love long, sniff-heavy walks. Greyhounds, surprisingly, are couch potatoes once they’ve had a good 30-minute run. ASPCA guidelines suggest most dogs benefit from at least 30 minutes of daily walking plus some aerobic activity.
Standard-size mixed breeds usually fall somewhere in this range too. If your dog is a 40-60 pound mix, 30 to 60 minutes of walking is a solid starting point. Adjust based on how they act after.
Low-Energy Breeds: 20 to 30 Minutes
Some dogs genuinely don’t need (or want) long walks. And that’s fine.
Brachycephalic breeds (the flat-faced ones) like Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs have anatomical limitations that make extended exercise risky. Their shortened airways make it harder to breathe during physical activity, especially in warm weather. Shorter, gentler walks of 20 to 30 minutes are usually plenty. Watch for heavy panting, stumbling, or blue-tinged gums, which are signs they need to stop.
Toy breeds like Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, and Maltese are small dogs with small legs. They cover more ground per step relative to their size, so what feels like a casual walk to you might be a real workout for them. Two 15 to 20-minute walks a day is usually plenty.
Giant breeds are a surprise on this list. Dogs like Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Saint Bernards are big, but they’re not built for endurance. Their joints take a lot of stress from carrying all that weight. Moderate walks of 30 to 45 minutes protect their joints while keeping them active.
Age Changes Everything
Even within the same breed, a puppy, adult, and senior dog need different amounts of walking.
Puppies have tons of energy but developing joints. A commonly cited guideline from veterinary professionals is about 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. So a 4-month-old puppy would get two 20-minute walks. This protects their growing bones and joints from overuse injuries.
Adult dogs (1 to 7 years, breed-dependent) are in their prime and can handle the full breed-appropriate walk distances listed above.
Senior dogs still need walks, but shorter and slower. A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that walk duration and frequency change significantly as dogs age. Arthritis, heart conditions, and general wear mean you should let your older dog set the pace. Two shorter walks beat one long one for most seniors.
Signs You’re Walking Too Much (or Too Little)
Your dog can’t tell you they’re tired. But they do show it.
Signs of too much walking: – Excessive panting that doesn’t stop after resting – Lagging behind or refusing to keep walking – Limping or favoring a leg after walks – Being unusually tired or sore the next day – Worn or bleeding paw pads
Signs of not enough walking: – Destructive behavior (chewing furniture, digging holes) – Excessive barking or restlessness – Weight gain – Hyperactivity that doesn’t calm down in the evenings – Attention-seeking behavior that goes beyond normal
The sweet spot is a dog who comes home from a walk, drinks some water, and settles down contentedly. Not collapsed and panting. Not bouncing off the walls.
How to Build Up Walking Distance Safely
If your dog (or you) hasn’t been walking regularly, don’t start with a 5-mile hike. Build up gradually, just like you would with your own fitness.
Week 1-2: Start with 15 to 20-minute walks at a comfortable pace. See how your dog responds.
Week 3-4: Add 5 to 10 minutes per walk. Pay attention to recovery. Are they sore? Tired the next day?
Week 5+: Gradually increase to your target distance based on breed guidelines. Add variety with different routes and surfaces.
This matters especially for puppies, senior dogs, and breeds prone to joint issues. Sudden increases in walking distance are a common cause of soft tissue injuries in dogs.
If you want to track how far you’re actually walking with your dog, a GPS walking app can help. You might be surprised at how much distance you cover (or don’t). And if you’re looking for ways to make those walks count as real exercise for yourself too, check out our guide on turning dog walks into real workouts.
Weather Matters More Than You Think
Temperature affects your dog more than you might expect.
Hot weather is dangerous for all dogs but especially for brachycephalic breeds. Dogs cool down primarily through panting, and they can overheat fast. If the pavement is too hot for your bare hand (hold it there for 7 seconds), it’s too hot for their paw pads. Walk early morning or after sunset during summer months.
Cold weather affects small dogs and short-coated breeds the most. Some dogs need a coat in winter (yes, really). If your dog is lifting their paws, shivering, or trying to turn back, it’s too cold for them.
A good rule: if the weather makes you uncomfortable, your dog probably feels the same way. Adjust the length and intensity of your walk accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one long walk or two shorter walks better for dogs?
For most dogs, two shorter walks are better than one long one. It breaks up the day (reducing boredom and restlessness), gives them two chances to go to the bathroom, and is easier on joints. This is especially true for puppies, senior dogs, and giant breeds. High-energy adult dogs can handle one longer walk if that works better for your schedule.
How far can a small dog walk?
Most healthy small dogs (Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Shih Tzus) can handle 1 to 3 miles per walk, depending on the individual dog. The key is pace, not distance. Small dogs take many more steps to cover the same ground, so a 2-mile walk is proportionally harder for them. Watch for signs of fatigue and let them set the pace.
Should I walk my dog every day?
Yes, daily walks are recommended for almost all dogs. Even low-energy breeds benefit from a short daily walk for physical exercise, mental stimulation, and bathroom opportunities. The length and intensity should match your dog’s breed and condition. The only exception would be if your vet has specifically advised rest due to injury or illness.
My dog doesn’t want to walk. What should I do?
A dog that suddenly refuses to walk might be in pain, anxious, or dealing with a health issue. Check their paws for injuries, think about whether anything on the route might be scaring them, and consider the weather (hot pavement, icy sidewalks). If refusal to walk is new behavior, a vet visit is a good idea. Some dogs also just need a different route to get excited about walking again.
How do I know if my mixed breed is high or low energy?
Watch their behavior at home. Dogs that pace, bring you toys constantly, or get destructive when bored are telling you they need more exercise. Dogs that lounge for most of the day and get satisfied with shorter outings are lower energy. If you know the breed mix, look up each breed’s exercise needs and aim for somewhere in the middle. You can also ask your vet for breed-specific exercise guidance.
