If you are looking for an active, intelligent, and friendly dog, the Boxer might be the perfect breed for you. But to remain healthy and happy, such an energetic and muscular companion will need a great deal of exercise. So you might wonder what you should aim for to care for his well-being!
How Much Exercise Does A Boxer Dog Need?
In general, an adult Boxer should get at least 1 or 2 hours of daily exercise. It should include walks, vigorous workouts, and mental stimulation. This dog breed is very playful and high-energy, so you must be ready to exercise a lot. Your Boxer’s needs can vary according to his age, health, and other conditions.
Sports such as running, swimming, and hiking, can be great ways to exercise your active dog. But before giving you more ideas on how to tire out a Boxer, you should know more precisely what his requirements are. I have much more information to share with you about the right amount and type of workouts to provide for this working breed.
What Can Influence Your Boxer‘s Exercise Requirements?
The breed isn’t the only factor you should consider to figure out how much physical and mental activity he needs. Every Boxer dog has specific conditions and limits that can have an impact on his requirements. Let’s dive into all the elements you should analyze!
Stage Of Life. (Puppy, Adult & Senior)
Your dog’s age can drastically influence how much exercise he needs. From puppy to adulthood, everything is changing, including his requirements.
The general recommendation (1 to 2 hours of exercise) is only accurate for your Boxer if he’s mature. Otherwise, you must provide him with appropriate mental and physical activity depending on how old he is.
How Much Exercise Does A Boxer Puppy Need?
Young Boxer dogs should get roughly 5 minutes of exercise for each month of age up to twice a day. For instance, a 6-month-old puppy Boxer will require between 30 and 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Too much or too vigorous exercise can be harmful to him because he’s still growing.
| 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 |
When Do Boxers Stop Growing?
As a medium to large and muscular breed, Boxers take more time than most breeds to reach their adult size. Your pup can be fully grown anywhere from 18 to 24 months of age. Before that, his growth plates are probably not closed.
That’s why puppies are too fragile for high-impact sports such as running and hiking. If your Boxer is still very young, exercise should be made of gentle walking, free playtime, and training for the most part.
How Much Exercise Does A Boxer Senior Need?
Old dogs have less energy and are more prone to health problems. Thus, the amount and type of workouts they get should be adjusted to their conditions.
Exercise is still essential for your Boxer, no matter how old he is. He needs to stay active to maintain muscle mass, avoid gaining weight and stay in good shape.
Because an elderly dog is more likely to suffer from hip dysplasia, arthritis, and other physical restrictions, low-impact workouts are more appropriate. Therefore, moderate walking and swimming are two of the safest ways to exercise your senior Boxer.
Health & Physical Conditions.
Another important consideration to care for your dog is the shape in which he is. If he has any specific condition, he won’t have the same requirements as other Boxers. That’s why I highly recommend you talk with a veterinarian if possible.
An expert point of view on your dog’s health will certainly help you to figure out how much exercise you should provide him. It’s also an excellent opportunity to have personalized advice on what your Boxer needs to be happy.
Energy Level.
Some dogs are more hyperactive than others, even if they are from the same breed. Not every Boxer has the same level of energy, so you must take that into account.
Your dog’s strength and vitality will influence how much time he can sustain physical and mental efforts. Thus, the more energy a Boxer has, the more exercise he should get.
Bottom Line: There might be some other minor factors that can help you understand what amount and type of workouts your dog needs. But the four main things to consider are his breed, age, health, and energy.
How To Provide Your Boxer Dog With Proper Exercise?
After determining what your buddy’s requirements are, it’s time to take action. If you have the information, but you do nothing with it, it’s useless.
There are many ways to exercise a Boxer. Here are the three principal types of workouts such an active dog breed should get.
- Daily Walks. (30 to 60 minutes)
- Vigorous Physical Activity. (30 to 60 minutes)
- Mental Stimulation. (15 to 30 minutes)
Walking As Exercise For Your Boxer!
Taking your dog for a walk multiple times per day is essential. Walking is not only necessary for him to do his business, but also to care for his health and well-being.
This moderate physical activity will allow your Boxer to get rid of some energy, stimulate his mind, and have an opportunity to socialize with other pets. The real question is about the ideal duration and frequency on which it is recommended to walk him.
How Long & Often Should Your Boxer Dog Be Walked?
Most adult Boxers should get at least 30 to 45 minutes (~ 2 to 3 miles) of daily walking. It should ideally be spread into two or three walks to exercise them many times throughout the day.
With their boundless energy and good natural stamina, they can walk or hike very long distances. Your dog’s conditions and the weather can also influence how much he should walk.
Young Boxer dogs should stick to 5 minutes per day for each month of age. For instance, a 4-month-old puppy needs around 20 minutes (~ 1 mile) of daily walking.
It should also be divided into multiple short walks if possible. Long-distance or too vigorous walking is not safe for puppies.
| Puppy Age | Walking Needs |
|---|---|
| 3 Months Old | ~15 Minutes (1 mile) |
| 4 Months Old | ~20 Minutes (1-1.5 miles) |
| 5 Months Old | ~25 Minutes (1.5-2 miles) |
| 6 Months Old | ~30 Minutes (2 miles) |
Great Ways To Provide Your Boxer With Vigorous Physical Activity!
Unfortunately, daily walks aren’t sufficient to keep high-energy dogs in good shape. Cardio and strenuous exercise is also necessary for them to get rid of excess energy and stay healthy.
To give you some ideas, here are my suggestions to tire out your Boxer dog.
Running.
If you are an active person, jogging is an excellent physical activity for you and your pet. It’s ideal for both of you to maintain an active lifestyle and improve your fitness. But you should know some things before running with your Boxer.
Can Boxers Run Long Distances?
Muscular and energetic, Boxers are powerful runners. But it’s a brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog breed. This condition can lead to breathing problems, and it’s not good for endurance. Consequently, your Boxer is not suitable to run very long distances.
Before running over 3 to 4 miles (5-6 km) with your dog, I highly recommend you consult a vet. It’s also important to take breaks and keep you both hydrated while you are on trails. Please note that running is not appropriate nor safe for Boxer puppies under 24 months old.
Interactive Games. (Fetch, Frisbee & Tug Of War)
Another popular way to exercise dogs is to play with them. The classic game of fetch is an excellent activity to tire out your Boxer and have fun at the same time. To pitch the ball farther and pick it up more conveniently, I highly recommend checking out the ChuckIt Ball Launcher.
If it’s too easy or boring for you two, you can also teach him how to play frisbee. Throwing and catching discs is more challenging than doing so with balls. You only need a dog-friendly frisbee such as the Kong Flyer to get started with this interactive game.
Playing tug-of-war is also an effective way to exercise your Boxer dog physically and mentally. If you have the right tug toy and play by the rules, you will both benefit from this game. For powerful chewers, the Goughnuts Tug MaXX is the perfect option.
Dog Sports. (Agility, Swimming, Urban Mushing & Hiking)
If you are serious about doing physical activity with your Boxer, sports are the way to go. Agility training is one of the best ways to meet his exercise needs.
Running through an obstacle course while working on obedience is great to keep him healthy and happy. To get started, you should consider this agility equipment kit.
There are many other sports in which your active dog can take part. From swimming to hiking, you practically have unlimited options to exercise together.
To provide your Boxer with intense workouts, you should take a look at urban mushing. Canicross, skijoring, and bikejoring are awesome ways to tire him out quickly and keep him in good shape.
Use Exercise Equipment.
Besides activities, some products are designed to entertain and satisfy your dog. Toys can be useful for him to exercise and have fun at the same time. Here are three suggestions for Boxers.
It’s like a giant cat teaser toy, but for dogs. A flirt pole is made from one long stick with a rope and a lure attached to the end. By moving the toy, your Boxer’s high prey drive will kick in and make him instantly chase the lure.
Investing in this exercise equipment is a great idea to stimulate his whole body. Whether you want to strengthen his muscles or tire him out, it’s the toy you need. The flirt pole can also be used to provide him with mental stimulation or as a training tool.
Who has said your dog needs you to play tug-of-war? If you are too busy to exercise with him, you can invest in toys that can entertain him on their own. The spring pole is an excellent example.
It’s a rope that you hang on a tree branch with a tug toy at the end. Thus, your Boxer won’t need your help anymore to burn off excess energy and get some mental stimulation. You have to purchase this exercise equipment if your free time is limited.
As you probably have seen on TV, it’s an interactive ball for dogs that makes fun sounds. It’s the perfect solution to keep your Boxer active and entertained while you’re not available. Sturdy, affordable, and versatile, this toy is worth the money.
What do I like about the Wobble Wag Giggle? The ball doesn’t even need batteries to make noise, and it’s designed to provide your dog with mental and physical stimulation. Several Boxer owners are more than happy with their purchase, so who’s next?
Free Playtime.
Meeting your dog’s exercise needs doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, there are many simple ways to care for his well-being that don’t require any equipment or knowledge.
As long as you have some time and imagination, you can provide him with proper physical activity. Fun games such as tag and hide-and-seek are not only great for kids but also dogs.
With training, patience, and determination, you can do pretty much anything with your Boxer. Playing together is one of the best solutions to keeping him healthy and happy.
To give you more ideas, you can also teach him how to chase bubbles or play together with the hose. Exercise can be made simple and fun for both of you. You merely have to let your creativity flow.
What About Mental Stimulation For Boxer Dogs?
Physical activity alone isn’t enough to keep your Boxer in good shape. You also have to satisfy his mind for him to be happy. Thus, it’s essential to provide him with mental exercise if you care for his well-being. You don’t know how? Here are some ideas!
Training.
Learning new commands or tricks can be an excellent source of cognitive enrichment. It’s also great to improve your dog’s manners and tire him out mentally. That’s why regular training sessions are highly recommended for Boxers.
Challenging Games & Toys.
Just as for physical activity, some products are designed to stimulate your dog’s mind. Toys such as the Kong Extreme and the Nina Ottosson Brick Puzzle are perfect options to challenge his brain. The shell game is also an excellent activity for this purpose.
Another way to provide your Boxer with mental stimulation is to make him work for his food. That’s why products such as the Snuffle Mat and the Bob-A-Lot are profitable investments.
Satisfy His Natural Desires.
Chewing, digging, and sniffing can be stimulating for your dog. He explores the world with his nose, puts things in his mouth to relieve stress, and burrows objects for fun.
Thus, letting your Boxer analyze scents on walks, chew on bones, and play with digging toys are simple and effective mental exercise ideas.
Elements To Consider When You Exercise With Your Boxer!
Now you should know what amount and type of workouts your dog needs. But to exercise him the right way, there are some other conditions you must take into account. Let’s dive into the details!
Short Nose.
The Boxer is among the brachycephalic dog breeds. What does it mean? It’s just a fancy word to say that they have a flat face (or short nose).
Unfortunately, you have to consider this condition to exercise them properly. With this physical trait, vigorous activity is not always appropriate and safe.
Your dog can have breathing problems and difficulty regulating his body temperature because of his compressed skull. Thus, you must be very careful with cardio exercise and let your Boxer take breaks when he needs to.
Temperature.
The main external factor to consider is the weather. Even if you can’t control it, you should adjust what you do with your dog according to the outdoor conditions.
His short coat makes him relatively sensitive to extreme temperatures. The heat, cold, rain, and snow are things you should keep in mind when working out with your Boxer.
Age.
As I already told you, puppies can’t exercise as adults do. It’s just a reminder to make sure you wait until your Boxer is fully grown (which occurs around 2 years old) before doing any high-impact physical activity with him.
You can take your puppy outside to explore the real world after 12 to 15 weeks of age when he has received all of his vaccines.
How To Tire Out Your Boxer Dog?
Exercise has many purposes, and burning off excess energy is one of them. For active dog breeds such as the Boxer, it can seem impossible to wear them out. But with the right tools and ideas, it’s totally possible.
Providing your dog with proper physical activity and mental stimulation is the only way to calm him down. Thus, here are some ideas to tire a Boxer according to his age!
Puppy:
- Daily Walks.
- Free Playtime.
- Tug-Of-War.
- Play With Other Dogs.
- Training.
- Go To The Dog Park.
- Etc.
Adult Boxer:
- Running.
- Play Fetch or Frisbee.
- Use The Flirt Pole.
- Let Your Dog Off-Leash In A Safe Fenced Area.
- Training.
- Scent Work.
- Try Dog Sports.
- Etc.
What’s The Ultimate Solution?
Go get another Boxer dog, and let them play together. You will finally have the luxury to relax while watching them tire each other out. If you can, seriously consider adopting another pup to keep your buddy healthy and happy.
Why Is Exercise So Important For Your Boxer?
You have all the information that you need to provide your dog with proper workouts. Now let me explain why it’s necessary. Simply put, stimulating his body and mind is essential for his overall well-being.
Lack of physical activity will negatively affect your Boxer’s health. If he doesn’t spend his energy, he might become overweight or hyperactive. This can lead to more serious problems I don’t even want to get into.
For your dog’s satisfaction, mental stimulation is also important. If you don’t find any opportunity to entertain him, believe me, he will.
Boredom is one of the main reasons he might develop destructive behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, or chewing.
My Takeaway: A Tired Boxer Is A Happy Dog!
Signs Your Boxer Needs More Exercise!
- Boredom Symptoms.
- Destructive Behaviors. (Digging & Chewing)
- Difficulty To Focus.
- Excessive Barking.
- Restlessness or Hyperactivity.
- Stiffness.
- Unhealthy Weight.
- Etc.
Can You Over-Exercise Your Boxer?
If you think you can exhaust such an energetic dog breed, I wish you good luck. However, you still have to be careful because too much exercise can be as bad as not enough. That’s why you should try to find the right balance to keep your Boxer healthy and happy without overdoing it.
Signs Your Boxer Is Getting Too Much Exercise!
Short-Term Signs:
- Confusion/Incoordination.
- Excessive panting.
- Exercise-induced collapse.
- Extreme thirst.
- Decreased energy.
- Trouble breathing.
- Trouble walking or standing.
- Drooling.
- Wobbliness
- Etc.
Long-Term Symptoms:
- Sore muscles.
- Damaged paw pads.
- Joint injury.
- Behavioral changes.
- Etc.
With this information, you can figure out in what situation your dog is right now. Does he need more, less, or the same amount of exercise you are currently providing him? In general, the answer is MORE, but I will let you draw your own conclusions.
Last Thoughts About How Much Exercise Does Your Boxer Need!
The truth is that you should have an active lifestyle to satisfy your dog’s requirements. Most Boxers should get at least 1 to 2 hours of physical activity per day. To tire them out, both physical activity and mental stimulation are necessary.
Daily walks are also an important source of moderate exercise you should not neglect. With everything you have just learned, you are ready to care properly for your Boxer dog’s well-being.
Now it’s time to go out and take action; he won’t meet his needs without your help.
Good Workout & Have Fun!
