If you own or plan to have an Australian Cattle Dog, you must know how much exercise they need. Otherwise, you won’t be able to keep your dog fit, healthy, and happy. So here’s everything you should know about the Australian Cattle Dog’s exercise needs!
A healthy adult Australian Cattle Dog generally needs between 90 and 120 minutes of exercise per day. It can vary according to the dog’s age, health, energy, and fitness. The Australian Cattle Dog is a very active and intelligent breed that needs physical and mental exercise.
Do Australian Cattle Dogs Need A Lot Of Exercise?
Australian Cattle Dogs do need a lot of exercise. They generally have a lot of energy and stamina, so they require more exercise than most other dogs to be satisfied and tired. The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the most active breeds in the world.
What Can Influence Your Australian Cattle Dog’s Exercise Needs?
Australian Cattle Dogs have many common traits, but they are still different. That’s why the general recommendation is a range and not an exact number. And even then, some might need more or less than 90 to 120 minutes of exercise daily.
Many things can influence your dog’s requirements. The breed isn’t the only factor you should consider. Your Australian Cattle Dog’s age, health, energy, and fitness will also impact how much exercise he needs.
Age
How old your dog is can highly influence the amount of exercise he should get. The general recommendation of 90 to 120 minutes per day mainly refers to an adult Australian Cattle Dog. Puppies and senior dogs don’t have the same conditions and requirements.
How Much Exercise Does A Cattle Dog Puppy Need?
A puppy generally needs between 5 and 10 minutes of daily exercise per month of age. So a 4-month-old Australian Cattle Dog requires between 20 and 40 minutes of exercise per day. Too much or intense physical activity can be harmful to puppies.
| Puppy Age | Exercise Needs |
|---|---|
| 3 Months Old | 15 Minutes |
| 4 Months Old | 20 Minutes |
| 5 Months Old | 25 Minutes |
| 6 Months Old | 30 Minutes |
Young dogs may have a lot of energy but haven’t built stamina yet. Therefore, they won’t be able to exercise for long periods. Puppies are also fragile because they are still growing. So avoid extended and high-impact physical activity if your Australian Cattle Dog isn’t fully grown.
How Much Exercise Does A Senior Cattle Dog Need?
At a certain age, dogs become less energetic and active. So they will need less and less exercise as they get older. In general, between 60 and 90 minutes of moderate physical activity and mental stimulation should be enough for a senior Australian Cattle Dog.
Health
Your dog’s health is another factor you should consider. The general recommendation was referring to a healthy Australian Cattle Dog. If your dog has any special condition or problem, he will probably have different exercise needs.
For example, Australian Cattle Dogs are prone to heart conditions, hip dysplasia, and other health issues that can influence their exercise requirements. So you should always check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog doesn’t have any problems.
Energy & Fitness
Australian Cattle Dogs are generally energetic and athletic. But some are more than others. So the more energy a dog has, the more exercise he will need to spend it. And you probably know that a tired dog is a good and happy dog.
Your Australian Cattle Dog’s physical conditions can also influence how much exercise he needs. The more fit a dog is, the easier and less tiring physical activity will be. Thus, he will require more of it than if he is out of shape.
So, How Much Exercise Does Your Australian Cattle Dog Need?
As you can see, many factors can influence how much exercise your dog needs. So you have to consider all of them if you want a more precise answer to your question. I don’t know your dog as much as you do.
Don’t just follow the general recommendation. Analyze your Australian Cattle Dog’s age, health conditions, energy, and fitness level, and figure out how much exercise he should get with that information. A veterinarian or pet care expert may also be of help to get personalized advice.
What Type Of Exercise Does An Australian Cattle Dog Need?
Once you have a better idea of how much exercise your dog needs, you should know what it should include. There are different ways to keep an Australian Cattle Dog active, healthy, and happy. But it generally comes down to three categories: Walking, Physical Activity, and Mental Stimulation.
Walking
Walking is an excellent source of moderate physical activity. It’s also an opportunity for your dog to go on potty breaks, get some fresh air, and socialize. That’s why daily walks are a good foundation of exercise for Australian Cattle Dogs.
How Long Should You Walk Your Cattle Dog?
An Australian Cattle Dog should walk for a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes per day. Ideally, you should break it into two or three shorter walks instead of a long one. So half of your dog’s exercise needs should be made up of walking.
For example, three walks of 15 to 20 minutes would be ideal for an Australian Cattle Dog. You could do one in the morning, another around noon, and a last one in the evening. Keeping them at the same time every day is even better.
Physical Activity
Besides walking, Australian Cattle Dogs will also need more intense physical activity to spend energy and stay in good shape. Vigorous exercise is essential for such an active dog breed. It can be anything that involves a significant effort from the body.
Running, swimming, hiking, playing fetch, and biking with your dog are good examples. In general, an Australian Cattle Dog will need around 30 to 40 minutes of physical activity. But they might be able to do much more depending on the intensity and nature of the exercise.
Mental Stimulation
Australian Cattle Dogs are very intelligent and love to have a job to do. That’s why mental stimulation is as important as physical activity. Dogs don’t only have a body to satisfy but also a mind.
There are many ways to challenge and entertain your dog mentally. Training, brain games, scent work, and puzzle toys are some of them. Between 15 and 20 minutes of mental exercise should be enough for most Australian Cattle Dogs.
How To Keep An Australian Cattle Dog Busy?
There are many ways to keep your Australian Cattle Dog busy. The best solution would probably be to get another active dog for them to play together. Puzzles, treat dispensing toys, obedience training, and scent games are also great to keep an Australian Cattle Dog occupied.
How To Tire Out An Australian Cattle Dog?
The best way to tire out an Australian Cattle Dog is with high-intensity physical activity. Running, swimming, playing fetch or frisbee, and biking with your dog require a lot of effort in a short period of time. So it will burn energy quickly. But Australian Cattle Dogs are hard to tire out.
Here’s a list of exercise ideas to keep your dog busy and tire him out!
- Running.
- Swimming.
- Biking.
- Dog Agility.
- Fetch/Frisbee.
- Herding Ball.
- Flirt Pole.
- Tug Of War.
- Puzzle Toys.
- Nose Games.
- Training.
- Etc.
Last Thoughts About The Exercise Needs Of Australian Cattle Dogs!
Finally, an Australian Cattle Dog needs a lot of exercise. So you must have or find the time to keep your dog active and entertained if you want to own this breed. Australian Cattle Dogs generally require between 90 and 120 minutes of daily exercise.
Some might even need more or less than that, depending on their age, health, energy, and fitness level. But they should all get 2 or 3 walks, vigorous physical activity, and mental stimulation every day. Now it’s time to find your dog’s requirements and meet them.
Let’s Exercise That Australian Cattle Dog!