Great Danes are moderately active and energetic dogs but can act like couch potatoes. Therefore, they don’t need as much exercise as many people think. Their giant size doesn’t mean they have proportional requirements in physical activity.
Most Great Danes need between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. It should include one or two walks, other physical activities, and mental stimulation. How much exercise a Great Dane requires daily will mainly vary according to age, health, fitness, and energy level.
What Can Influence The Exercise Needs Of A Great Dane?
The breed isn’t the only element to consider. Some Great Danes will need more or less exercise than others. That’s why the general recommendation ranges from 30 to 60 minutes. Now let’s understand how age, health, and other factors can affect your dog’s exercise needs.
Age
Puppies, adults, and senior dogs won’t require the same amount and type of exercise. The general recommendation refers to fully-grown Great Danes. Younger and older dogs will usually need less exercise than that.
How Much Exercise Does A Great Dane Puppy Need?
Puppies generally don’t need as much exercise because they have less endurance and stamina. The general rule for a puppy is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. So a 4-month-old Great Dane would need between 20 and 40 minutes of exercise per day.
| Puppy Age | Exercise Needs |
|---|---|
| 3 Months Old | 15-30 Minutes |
| 4 Months Old | 20-40 Minutes |
| 5 Months Old | 25-45 Minutes |
| 6 Months Old | 30-60 Minutes |
However, Great Danes are giant dogs with moderate requirements. Therefore, they will take a lot of time to grow and might be on the lower end of that range. Too much or intense exercise can be bad for puppies and cause them problems in their adulthood.
How Much Exercise Does A Senior Great Dane Need?
Past a certain age, dogs will gradually decrease in energy and stamina. They also become more fragile and prone to health conditions. Therefore, older Great Danes require less exercise. Anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes per day of moderate physical activity should be enough for most of them.
Health
The health of a Great Dane can also influence how much exercise he needs. The general recommendations were mainly referring to healthy dogs. Great Danes with special conditions might not require or be able to handle as much exercise.
This breed is prone to bloating, joint issues, and bone disease. So if your dog is suffering from one of those health problems, he might have different exercise needs. Besides that, Great Danes that are sick or recovering from surgery will require more rest than usual.
Fitness
Your dog’s fitness is another factor to consider when it comes to exercise. Some Great Danes are more fit than others. Therefore, they will usually want and be able to do more physical activity if they are in better shape.
It will also take more time for dogs with more strength and endurance to be tired and satisfied. So the more fit a Great Dane is, the more exercise he should get. On the other hand, a dog that’s out of shape and overweight might be less active.
Energy Level
Some Great Danes are more active and energetic than others. The energy of a dog is like the gas of a car. The more it has, the longer it will take to burn it off. So a Great Dane with a lot of energy will need more exercise to stay fit, healthy, and happy.
How Much Of Each Type Of Exercise Does A Great Dane Need?
As I already told you, the 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day should be divided into three main categories: Walking, Physical Activity, and Mental Stimulation. But it doesn’t have to be distributed equally. Thus, here’s more information about each and how much a Great Dane will need.
Walking Your Great Dane!
Dogs don’t need to walk only for potty breaks. Walking also has many other benefits for them and it’s an excellent source of moderate physical activity. So a Great Dane should ideally walk every day, but how many times and for how long?
How Much Should A Great Dane Walk A Day?
A healthy adult Great Dane should walk between 15 and 30 minutes per day. It should ideally be divided into at least two walks throughout the day. Therefore, about half of your dog’s exercise needs should be made up of walking.
How Far Should A Great Dane Walk?
You should walk a Great Dane two to three times per day for a total of 15 to 30 minutes. That represents a distance between ¾ mile or 1 200 meters and 1.5 miles or 2 400 meters with an average speed of 3 mph or 4.8 km/h. So a Great Dane should walk around ½ mile or 800 meters far two or three times per day.
Physical Activity
Apart from walking, there are many other ways to exercise your dog physically. You can run together, play fetch, or even try canine sports. More vigorous physical activity is essential for Great Danes to spend their pent-up energy and stay in good shape.
Swimming, hiking, and free playtime are also good ideas to do physical activity with your dog. But keep in mind that Great Danes are prone to joint problems due to their size. So high-impact exercise might be harmful to them.
Besides walking, a Great Dane should get between 10 and 20 minutes of physical activity.
Mental Stimulation
Exercise isn’t all about physical activity. Dogs also have a mind to simulate, not just a body. That’s where mental stimulation comes into play. There are many ways to challenge your Great Dane’s brain. Training, puzzle toys, and scent games are some ideas to consider.
In general, anywhere around 5 to 10 minutes of mental stimulation per day should be enough for most Great Danes.
Can You Over Exercise A Great Dane?
You can over-exercise a Great Dane relatively easily, especially if he’s a young puppy. With their moderate requirements, large size, and fast growth, they have a relatively low tolerance to physical activity. Anything above 1 or 2 hours of exercise per day is probably too much for most Great Danes.
Last Thoughts About The Exercise Needs Of A Great Dane!
Finally, Great Danes don’t need as much exercise as they might seem. Despite their massive size, they have moderate requirements. In general, 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day should be enough for a Great Dane.
It will vary according to the age, health, fitness, and energy level of the dog. Your exercise routine should include two to three walks, vigorous physical activity, and some mental stimulation. So what are you waiting for? Go outside and have some fun together.
Let’s Exercise That Great Dane!