Belgian Malinois are very athletic and energetic dogs. So they must stay active to be fit, healthy, and happy. But how much exercise does a Belgian Malinois exactly need? If you own or plan to have one, you should know it!
In general, a Belgian Malinois needs between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise per day. It can vary according to the dog’s age, health, energy, and fitness. But most Belgian Malinois should exercise for around 75 minutes per day. It should include daily walks, physical activity, and mental stimulation.
Do Belgian Malinois Need A Lot Of Exercise?
Belgian Malinois are very active and have a lot of energy. So they do need a lot of exercise. Malinois generally require at least 1 hour per day, while most dogs only need between 30 and 60 minutes. That’s why their owners must be ready to exercise a lot with them.
What Can Influence The Exercise Needs Of A Malinois?
Even dogs from the same breed have different requirements. That’s why my general recommendation for a Belgian Malinois is a range from 60 to 90 minutes per day. Some might even need more or less exercise than that. So here’s what else than the breed can influence a dog’s exercise needs.
Age
How old a Malinois is will impact how much exercise he should get. The general recommendation above is only accurate for an adult dog of the breed. However, puppies and senior Belgian Malinois will generally need less exercise than that.
How Much Exercise Does A Belgian Malinois Puppy Need?
A puppy generally needs around 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. Therefore, a 4-month-old Belgian Malinois will need between 20 and 40 minutes of daily exercise. Too much or intense physical activity can be bad and harmful to puppies.
Short sessions of exercise are also more appropriate for young Belgian Malinois. As they are still growing, they haven’t built stamina yet, and their bones are fragile. Puppies will be able to handle and need more exercise as they get older until they reach the requirements of an adult.
| Puppy Age | Exercise Needs |
|---|---|
| 3 Months Old | 15 Minutes |
| 4 Months Old | 20 Minutes |
| 5 Months Old | 25 Minutes |
| 6 Months Old | 30 Minutes |
How Much Exercise Does A Senior Belgian Malinois Need?
Past a certain age, dogs will gradually decrease in energy and fitness. Therefore, senior Belgian Malinois need less exercise. Anywhere between 45 to 75 minutes should be enough for them to stay healthy and happy. Low-impact physical activity and short sessions of exercise are also more appropriate for older dogs.
Health
Besides age, health is another factor to consider. Some dogs might have special conditions or problems that may affect how much exercise they need. For example, Belgian Malinois are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can impact how you should exercise your dog.
That’s why it’s essential to do a health check with your veterinarian. It will allow you to have a better idea of your dog’s conditions and how much to exercise him accordingly. The vet might even help you build an appropriate program for your Belgian Malinois.
Energy & Fitness
Although Malinois are generally very energetic and athletic, some are more than others. So those are two other elements that can influence how much exercise your dog needs. The more energy he has, the more exercise it will take to satisfy and tire him.
The physical condition of your Belgian Malinois is also important to consider. A fit and healthy dog will develop strength and stamina. Thus, he should be able to handle more intense and extended physical efforts.
So, How Much Exercise Does Your Belgian Malinois Need?
As you can see, many things can impact your dog’s exercise needs. Every Malinois is different. So even if they need a lot of exercise, some of them require more or less than others. Don’t just follow the general recommendation.
Analyze the elements above and anything else that might come into play to find how much exercise your Belgian Malinois should get. Your veterinarian or any other specialist could be very helpful by giving personalized answers and advice. So let’s get to work!
What Type Of Exercise Does A Belgian Malinois Need?
Once you have a better idea of how much exercise your dog needs, it’s time to understand what it should include. I already talked about walking, physical activity, and mental stimulation. They are all essential for a Belgian Malinois to stay fit, healthy, and happy.
However, not all types of exercise are created equal. So it’s essential to know how much of each your dog needs. It will still vary according to age, health, energy, and fitness, but the information below should help you exercise your Belgian Malinois properly.
Walking
Walking isn’t only an excuse for potty breaks. It’s also an excellent source of moderate physical activity. Walks won’t be enough to exercise a Belgian Malinois, but they are a great foundation to keep your dog active.
How Often Should You Walk Your Belgian Malinois?
You should walk your Belgian Malinois for at least 30 to 45 minutes per day, but more is better. In distance, that’s around 2 to 3 miles. Ideally, it should be broken down into 2 or 3 walks throughout the day. Malinois are very energetic and active dogs that can walk for long periods.
So around half of your dog’s exercise needs should be made up of walking. And that’s a minimum. A Belgian Malinois could probably walk all day long. But an hour per day should be enough for most of them.
Physical Activity
Besides walking, Belgian Malinois will need more vigorous physical activity to spend their energy and stay in good shape. Any exercise that requires a significant effort from the body counts. Running, playing fetch, and biking with your dog are some good examples.
Belgian Malinois will need a minimum of between 20 and 30 minutes of physical activity per day. But they can do much more exercise than that. It will also depend on the dog and the activity. Some are more physically demanding than others.
Mental Stimulation
Belgian Malinois are very smart working dogs. So they also need to be stimulated mentally, not just physically. You have to find ways to keep his mind busy and challenged. That’s where training, brain games, and stimulating toys come into play.
In general, between 10 and 15 minutes of mental exercise per day should be enough for a Belgian Malinois. It may not seem like a lot, but many other daily activities engage with your dog’s mind. So short sessions of purposeful mental stimulation in addition to that should do the job.
How Much Training Does A Belgian Malinois Need?
Belgian Malinois are highly trainable and love to spend time with their owners. Therefore, most of their mental stimulation should be made up of training. A Belgian Malinois will ideally need to train once a day for 5 to 15 minutes per session.
Best Ways To Exercise Your Belgian Malinois!
There are many ways to exercise a Belgian Malinois, but some might be better than others. If you don’t have much time or can’t keep up with your dog, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best ideas to exercise your Malinois!
- Biking With Your Dog
- Running
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Free Playtime
- Dog Agility
- Flirt Pole
- Tug Of War
- Fetch/Frisbee
- Schutzhund
- Etc.
Last Thoughts About The Exercise Needs Of A Belgian Malinois!
Finally, Belgian Malinois need a lot of exercise. An hour per day is a bare minimum for such an energetic dog breed. But some Malinois will need around 90 minutes of exercise or even more per day. It will mainly depend on their age, health, energy, and fitness.
The ideal exercise regimen for a Belgian Malinois would include 2 or 3 daily walks, some more intense physical activity, and a little bit of mental stimulation. This breed is well-suited for any type of exercise, from walking to biking, passing by Schutzhund, and agility.
With all that information, you have everything you need to care for a Belgian Malinois. Just make sure you have the time and energy to exercise your dog as much as he needs. Now it’s time to go out there and have some fun working out together.
Let’s Exercise That Belgian Malinois!