Walking with your dog can be fun and beneficial for both of you. But too much of anything can be harmful. That’s why if you enjoy walking as much as I do, you might wonder how far a dog can walk. Don’t worry. It’s probably much more than you think!
Most dogs can walk between 3 and 5 km (2-3 miles) without much preparation. But some of them won’t be able to go that far. On the other hand, more active and athletic dogs can hike up to 20 km (12 miles) with proper training. How far a dog can walk depends on the breed, age, health, and fitness.
The World’s Longest Dog Walk!
Just to give you an idea of how far a dog can walk, let’s take the example of Tom Turcich and his dog Savannah. They trek around the world, walking between 29 and 39 km (18-24 miles) per day. This case is a bit extreme, but it shows how far some dogs can walk.
Just make sure you have realistic expectations though. It’s a world record, so your dog will probably never walk that far in a day.
How Far Is Too Far For A Dog To Walk?
Although it will vary a lot from one dog to another, walking more than 5 km (3 miles) without any training and preparation is generally too far. But some dogs with good stamina can easily walk more than that. Many factors will influence the limit to how far you can walk your dog.
Let’s take a look at them!
Breed
Dogs of the same breed have similar conditions and limits. So they can generally walk for the same distance. A quick way to determine how far a dog can walk is to consider the exercise needs of the breed.
For example, Labrador Retrievers need between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise per day. If you walk a Lab for that long at an average speed of around 5 km/h (3 mph), you will travel up to 7.5 km or 4.5 miles.
How Far Can A Dog Walk Per Breed?
| Energy Level | Breeds | Walking Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Bulldogs, Maltese, Etc. | 3 km (2 miles) |
| Moderate | French Bulldogs, Poodles, Dachshunds, Great Danes, Etc. | 5 km (3 miles) |
| Active | Labrador & Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Corgis, Etc. | 7.5 km (4.5 miles) |
| Hyper | German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Huskies, Dobermans, Etc. | 10 km (6 miles) + |
This table will give you a good idea of how far a dog can walk according to its breed. The result is a multiplication of the exercise limit and an average walking speed of 5 km/h (3 mph). But it’s a rough estimation, and the breed isn’t the only factor that comes into play.
Age
How old a dog is will also influence how far he can walk. Just like humans, dogs’ conditions and limits change as they grow. The recommendations above refer to adults. If you have a puppy or senior dog, the walking distance won’t be the same.
How Far Can A Puppy Walk?
Puppies generally need around 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. Since young dogs are smaller and slower, they will probably walk at a pace closer to 3 km/h (2 mph). So they can walk between 125 and 250 m (0.08-0.16 miles) per day for each month of age. For example, a 4-month-old puppy could walk around 500 m (0.3 miles) up to twice a day.
| Puppy Age | Exercise Needs | Walking Speed | Maximum Walking Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Month Old | 5 – 10 Minutes/Day | 3 km/h (2 mph) | 500 m (0.31 miles) |
| 2 Months Old | 10 – 20 Minutes/Day | 3 km/h (2 mph) | 1 km (0.62 miles) |
| 3 Months Old | 15 – 30 Minutes/Day | 3 km/h (2 mph) | 1.5 km (0.93 miles) |
| 4 Months Old | 20 – 40 Minutes/Day | 3 km/h (2 mph) | 2 km (1.24 miles) |
| 5 Months Old | 25 – 50 Minutes/Day | 3 km/h (2 mph) | 2.5 km (1.55 miles) |
| 6 Months Old | 30-60 Minutes/Day | 3 km/h (2 mph) | 3 km (1.86 miles) |
Learn more about when puppies can start walking!
How Far Can A Senior Dog Walk?
Past a certain age, dogs will have decreasing health and physical conditions. So they will be able to walk less far. Senior dogs are also prone to joint issues and other mobility problems, which can interfere with walking. That’s why fewer and shorter walks are more appropriate for them.
How Far Can A Dog Walk By Age?
| Dog Age | Exercise Needs | Walking Speed | Maximum Walking Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 5 Minutes Per Month Of Age, Up To Twice A Day | 3 km/h (2 mph) | 250 m – 1.5 km + (0.16 – 0.93 miles +) |
| Adult | 30 – 60 Minutes | 5 km/h (3 mph) | 2.5 – 5 km ( 1.5 – 3 miles) |
| Senior | 15 – 45 Minutes | 4 km/h (2.5 mph) | 1 km – 3 km (0.62 – 1.86 miles) |
Health
The health of a dog is another element to consider when it comes to walking. A dog in good shape can walk far. But many health conditions and problems can restrict a dog’s ability to walk, such as arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia, and obesity.
If a dog is ill, injured, or in recovery, he might not be able to walk as far as usual. So it’s essential to do regular health checks with your vet. Knowing your dog’s conditions will help you understand how far he can walk and why.
Fitness
Closely related to health, how fit a dog is will also have an impact. Some dogs are in much better physical condition than others of the same breed. That’s why they might be able to walk more or less, depending on their fitness level.
Energy
Energy is another important factor to consider. The more energy a dog has, the longer it will take to tire him out. The fitness level is the engine, and the energy is the fuel. So energetic dogs can walk longer distances.
Stamina
The most important trait for a dog to walk far is stamina. Walking is a moderate exercise that requires more endurance than strength. So the longer a dog can sustain physical effort, the farther he should be able to walk. But don’t worry. Stamina is something you can build up.
Training
The more you do something, the better you will get at it. It’s the same thing for dogs. The more they walk, the farther they will go. Their muscles and cardiovascular system will get used to the physical effort. So dogs that walk a lot can go farther than inactive couch potatoes.
Don’t walk 20 km straight away. It’s not safe. You and your dog have to build up stamina. So start with short walks and gradually increase the distance, even if you know your dog can do more. Training is everything.
Temperature
Besides the dog itself, you also need to consider outside factors. The weather might keep your dog from walking as far as he can. Extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow can interfere with walking. So be careful not to walk too far in such conditions, because it can be dangerous.
It’s especially true when it’s really hot outside. Walking too much with your dog can lead to heat sickness, dehydration, burned paws, and other problems. So a dog won’t be able to walk as far when the temperature and weather are unfavorable.
Now let’s answer more specific questions related to how far you can walk your dog!
Is It OK To Walk Your Dog 2 or 3 Miles A Day?
Most dogs will be able to walk 2 or 3 miles per day without any training or preparation. So if your dog is relatively active and in good shape, there shouldn’t be any problem walking that far daily. And even if a dog can walk more than 2 or 3 miles a day, it should be enough to stay fit, healthy, and happy.
Can A Dog Walk 20 Miles A Day?
Most dogs won’t be able to walk 10 miles per day. But some very athletic and healthy dogs with a lot of stamina and training can walk more than 20 miles a day. Just make sure they have enough rest after such an intense physical effort.
So, How Far Should You Walk Your Dog?
You should walk your dog as far as it’s comfortable and safe for everyone. Most dogs will benefit from walking between 2 and 5 km (1-3 miles) per day. You don’t need to walk a dog as far as he can go. Just find a walking distance that’s enough but not too much for you and your dog.
You can take how much exercise your dog needs as a reference. In general, about half of your dog’s exercise regimen should be made up of walking.
So if your dog needs between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day, you should walk between 15 and 30 minutes per day. At a pace of 5 km/h (3 mph), that makes a walking distance of around 2 km or 1 mile.
Last Thoughts About How Far Can A Dog Walk!
According to Savannah’s world record, a dog can walk up to 40 km (25 miles) per day. But most dogs won’t be able to walk that far. They can generally walk around 5 km (3 miles) without any problem. However, some dogs will do much less or more depending on their conditions.
So make sure your dog can walk as far as you plan to take him before hitting the trails. You should consider his breed, age, physical health, experience, and weather. You can also look for signs of overexertion while walking to avoid going too far.
But don’t worry too much because most of the time, your dog will be able to walk much farther than you can. Just make sure to respect your dog’s limits, and everything will be fine. Also, keep in mind to start slowly and gradually build up stamina.
Let’s See How Far That Dog Can Walk!