Walking is very good for both you and your dog. But too much of anything can be bad and harmful. So if you enjoy long walks like me, you might wonder how long of a walk you can take with your dog. Is 2 hours too much?
A 2-hour walk is too long for most dogs. In general, they will need around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. So walking for more than an hour might be too much. But some active and healthy dogs need more exercise and can easily tolerate a 2-hour walk or hike.
As you can understand, whether a 2-hour walk is too long or not will depend on the dog. An overweight and lazy Bulldog will probably not make it. But an athletic and energetic Husky will happily walk or hike for hours.
How Long Of A Walk Is Too Long For A Dog?
Most dogs will be able to walk for 30 to 60 minutes at a time without much training. So anywhere over 1 or 2 hours of walking might be too long for them. On the other hand, some very active dogs can practically walk all day long with proper preparation.
If you don’t calculate your walks in terms of time but distance, here’s how far you can go with your dog.
How Far Is Too Long For A Dog To Walk?
Most dogs can walk 3 miles (5 km) without too much trouble. Anything over that might be too long. But the distance a dog can walk will vary a lot according to his walking pace, stamina, size, and training. Some dogs struggle to walk 1 or 2 miles (1.5 to 3 km), while others can easily go for 4 to 5-mile (6.5 to 8 km) walks.
Why? Because many factors will influence how long of a walk is too long for a dog. Breed, age, health, fitness level, and temperature can all impact your dog’s limits when it comes to walking. So let’s figure out how long you should walk together according to these conditions!
Breed
Your dog’s breed is probably the easiest way to get a quick answer. Dogs from the same breeds generally share traits, temperaments, and conditions. So they will have similar walking needs and limits.
A safe rule of thumb would be to take your dog’s breed exercise needs limit as a baseline. It should give you a good idea of how long is too long for your dog to walk.
Here’s an example. A Labrador Retriever generally needs between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise per day. So a 2-hour walk might be too long for a Lab. It’s a very loose rule, but it can help you roughly estimate your dog’s walking limit.
Age
How old your dog is can also influence how long he can walk. The general recommendations and walking limit you just found are mainly accurate for adult dogs. Puppies and seniors won’t be able to walk as long.
Puppy
A young pup can tolerate no more than 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. Puppies are also fragile and haven’t developed a lot of stamina yet. So they won’t be able to walk for very long. For example, a 4-month-old puppy should not walk for longer than 20 minutes two times per day.
Senior Dog
As your dog pass a certain age, he will gradually lose stamina, strength, and energy. That’s why he won’t be able to walk for as long as he used to. In general, a 30-minute walk is probably too much for most senior dogs. Walking more often for shorter periods is better and safer for them.
So a 2-hour walk is too long for most puppies and older dogs.
Dog Walking Limit By Age
| Age | Walking Limit |
| 1 month old | 5-10 minutes |
| 2 months old | 10-20 minutes |
| 3 months old | 15-30 minutes |
| 4 months old | 20-40 minutes |
| 5 months old | 25-50 minutes |
| 6 months old + | 30-60 minutes + |
| 8 years old + | 30 minutes |
Health
When it comes to walking, your dog’s health is another important element to consider. Many physical problems or conditions can influence how long a dog can walk. For example, dogs with hip dysplasia or arthritis will have difficulty walking.
So make sure to know and respect your dog’s conditions. The best way to do that is to visit your vet for a health check. You can even ask him for advice on how long you should walk your dog according to the results and his expertise.
Energy & Fitness Level
Some dogs are more fit and energetic than others. Therefore, they will be able to walk more. The more energy and better physical conditions a dog has, the longer he can walk. But don’t worry. Those are things you can improve with training and time.
Preparation & Training
As with anything else, the more you walk, the better you will get at it. The human body will adapt to what you do, which will also make it easier. It’s the same thing for dogs. You can also prepare and train your dog to walk longer distances over time.
Temperature
The last factor to keep in mind when walking with your dog is the weather. If it’s really hot or freezing outside, you should probably go for shorter walks. Extreme temperatures can be dangerous for dogs and temporarily decrease exercise tolerance.
Is A 3-Hour Walk Too Long For A Dog?
A 3-hour walk is too long for most dogs. The average pet doesn’t have enough stamina, energy, and strength to walk for that long. But some very active dogs can walk for 3 hours or more with proper training and preparation. So a 3-hour walk is probably too much unless your dog is in excellent shape.
So For How Long Should You Walk Your Dog?
You should walk your dog for as long as he needs to. Most dogs will be happy with 30 to 60 minutes of walking per day, divided into multiple short walks. So there’s no need for a 2-hour walk. But if you really want to walk for that long, you should make sure your dog can handle it.
Learn more about how far is can a dog walk!
Last Thoughts About 2-Hour Dog Walks!
Finally, a 2-hour walk is too long for most dogs. But your dog’s walking limit will vary according to many factors, including the breed, age, health, physical conditions, experience, and temperature. So you have to consider all these elements to figure out how long of a walk is too long for your dog.
Once you have a number in mind, it’s still just an estimation. The best way to confirm your theory is to walk with your dog and observe. Look for signs of tiredness, fatigue, and overexertion. Be careful not to injure or push your dog too hard though.
You don’t have to walk for 2 hours straight. In fact, it’s generally better for dogs to walk multiple times a day. Two or three 15-minute walks per day should be enough. And some of them might be up for an occasional 2-hour walk as long as they are suitable and ready for it.
Let’s Walk That Dog, But Not For Too Long!