<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PK9D66" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" title="gtm-frame"></iframe>How Often Should You Walk a Dog? | Agria Pet Insurance
03330 30 10 00
Get a quote
My AccountGet a quote
Get a quote

Back to Guides and advice

How often do you walk a dog?

How much exercise does your dog need? If you’re wondering about how much to walk your dog, here are some tips and guidelines to help.
How often do you walk a dog?

As with so many other aspects of dog care, no one rule suits all dogs! Their age, breed, general health and fitness, and even their personality all play a part in determining how long they need to go out for. Daily walking times can range from as little as half an hour a day to over two hours, so this is a critical factor to consider when researching which breed of dog will fit into your lifestyle.

Some dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers and French Bulldogs, will be perfectly happy with a short exercise time of 30-45 minutes, whereas some dogs, particularly of the working type breeds such as retrievers and boxers, need a large amount of exercise. Of course, many breeds fall within the two extremes and are happy with around an hour of walking a day – for example, Border Terriers and Pugs.

How many times a day should I walk my dog?

All dogs, no matter their breed, really benefit from a walk at least once each day. Many owners prefer to break this time up into two or even three walks a day. Not only is this a more manageable way of fitting walking into your lifestyle, it also means your dog doesn't become too tired to enjoy the latter part of their walk or bored throughout the day.

Puppy walking

Exercise for a puppy needs to be built up gently and gradually as growing joints and bones can be easily damaged if exercise is overdone. Just as a young child wouldn’t be happy with a very long walk, neither will your puppy!

It’s not just walking that counts towards your dog’s daily exercise. Playing inside and outside is great for using up their excess energy, and so is a training session. It is important to remember that just being in the garden is no substitute for a proper walk. It’s not just the exercise that's crucial for your dog, but also the chance to socialise and interact with other dogs, and smell all those interesting smells that are out there!

As well as exercise being great for your dog’s physical and mental wellbeing, it’s also great for us owners too. With government guidelines suggesting that we all try and achieve a minimum of 30 minutes exercise a day, what better way to do this than by having fun with your dog?

Previous article

Labrador Retrievers - a guide to the breed

Next article

Can dogs see colour?

Related guides and advice


Follow us


  • Cookie policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • UK tax policy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Modern slavery statement

For UK customers:
Agria Pet Insurance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register Number 496160. Agria Pet Insurance Ltd is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 04258783. Registered office: First Floor, Blue Leanie, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QW. Agria insurance policies are underwritten by Agria Försäkring who is authorised and regulated by the Prudential Regulatory Authority and Financial Conduct Authority.


For Jersey customers:
Agria Pet Insurance Ltd is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC). Ref: 0001498. Registered office: As detailed above.


For Guernsey customers:
Clegg Gifford Channel Islands Limited is licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Ref: 2722221. Registered office: Admiral House, Place Du Commerce, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 2AT.

© 2024 Agria Pet Insurance Ltd. All Rights Reserved.