How long should you walk your dog?

Guideline by size and energy level

These are general starting points for a healthy adult dog — total exercise per day, which can be split across two walks:

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs need shorter, gentler walks regardless of energy level, especially in heat, due to breathing restriction.

Puppies and seniors need less, not more

A common mistake is over-walking puppies, which can stress developing joints. A rough rule of thumb is 5 minutes per month of age, twice a day, until they're fully grown — so a 4-month-old puppy gets around 20 minutes, twice daily, not an hour-long hike. Senior dogs often do better on two or three shorter, gentler walks rather than one long one, adjusted for any joint stiffness.

Signs you've got it wrong

• Too little: restlessness, destructive chewing, excessive barking, weight gain, difficulty settling in the evening.
• Too much: excessive tiredness the next day, limping or stiffness afterward, reluctance to walk, panting heavily well after finishing.

Weather changes the calculation too

Hot weather means shorter, earlier or later walks to avoid pavement burns and heatstroke; cold, wet weather is more about the individual dog's coat and tolerance than a fixed rule. This is exactly the kind of daily adjustment that's easy to lose track of when you're juggling more than one dog, or dogs alongside other animals.

MyGroom's Walk Advisor gives a weather-adjusted daily walk plan per dog, split morning and evening, so the decision is made once rather than re-guessed every time you look outside.