If you are a hiking enthusiast, you may want a dog that can keep up with your adventures.
With so many larger dog breeds to choose from, which ones would be the most suited to long walks?
Vet Dr Kirsten Ronngren, on behalf of ManyPets, said “working breeds” are typically going to need around two hours of running around to burn off their energy.
Dr Ronngren said: “Working breeds like Border Collies, German Shorthair Pointers or even working Labradors may need upwards of one to two hours running to burn off their energy.
“Then again, I’ve seen German Shorthairs who prefer to snooze on the sofa.”
In general, however, medium and larger dog breeds will “often need significantly more exercise” than small dogs.
Dr Ronngren added: “I’d suggest emphasising while there are definitely some generalities we can say apply to certain breeds, it’s still very dog dependent.
“For example, my Golden Retrievers maintain a healthy weight and good mental stimulation with a brisk 30-minute walk along with some indoor play and wrestling daily.
“Then, on the weekends, they often get a good hour to run in the fields. This is plenty for them, whereas other Golden Retrievers might need significantly more time each day.”
Dr Ronngren recommends all pet owners to speak to their local vet to determine “how much and what types of exercise are safest” for your dog.
This is because other factors could come into play, such as the dog’s age, any health issues the dog may have, and the dog’s personality.
Whichever dog breed you have, it’s important that the dog receives a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day.
This even applies to small dog breeds, such as chihuahuas, terriers, or dachshunds.
