Many people think that small dogs don’t need a lot of exercise. But is it really the case? They might seem calmer and more fragile with their cute face and tiny legs. However, it doesn’t mean they have less energy to spend than larger breeds. So let’s find out how much exercise small dogs really need!
In general, a small dog won’t need a lot of exercise. Anything between 30 and 60 minutes per day should be enough for most smaller breeds. However, size isn’t the only factor to consider. Breed, age, health, fitness level, and other elements will also influence how much exercise a small dog needs.
So the amount of exercise your companion should get doesn’t strictly vary according to whether he’s big or small. Two dogs can have wildly different requirements, even if they are the same size. And some larger breeds need less exercise than much smaller ones.
For example, Bullmastiffs are not as active as Jack Russell Terriers, even though they are at least 5 times their size. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of providing smaller dogs with less exercise than they need. So let’s find out how much they should get.
How Does A Smaller Size Affect Your Dog’s Exercise Needs?
With their tiny legs, small dogs generally need to do more physical effort than larger ones for the same result. So they will spend more energy and get tired more quickly while doing comparable physical activity. That’s why smaller dogs usually need less exercise.
For example, walking the same distance might require a small dog to do 2 or 3 times more steps than one with longer legs. However, it doesn’t mean they don’t need exercise. You just have to consider their size and provide them with an appropriate amount of it.
All dogs need exercise regardless of their size. It’s essential for their health and happiness. A good rule of thumb is to exercise your dog for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. Most small dogs might figure on the lower end of this range. But they still need to stay active.
What Else Can Influence Your Small Dog’s Exercise Needs?
Besides the size, many other factors will determine how much exercise your small dog needs. So the general recommendations of 30 to 60 minutes per day might not apply to him. Let’s find out what else can affect your dog’s exercise needs.
Breed
The best way to know how much exercise your dog needs is to consider his breed. There are a lot of small and toy breeds, but each of them is very different. Some are more active and energetic, so they need more exercise than the average small dog.
On the other hand, some breeds tend to be more lazy and have less energy. Therefore, they will want to do and require less physical activity, but they still need some. Here’s a list of the most popular small breeds with their exercise needs!
| Small Dog Breed | Exercise Needs Per Day |
|---|---|
| French Bulldogs | Around 60 minutes |
| Toy & Miniature Poodles | Around 60 minutes |
| Beagles | Around 60 minutes |
| Dachshunds | Around 45 minutes |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgis | Around 60 minutes |
| Yorkshire Terriers | Around 45 minutes |
| Miniature Schnauzers | Around 60 minutes |
| Shih Tzu | Around 60 minutes |
| Pomeranians | Around 30 minutes |
| Pugs | Around 45 minutes |
| Chihuahua | Around 30 minutes |
| Maltese | Around 30 minutes |
| West Highland White Terriers | Around 45 minutes |
| Papillons | Around 30 minutes. |
| Pekingese | Around 30 minutes |
I found the information above through quick searches on Google. If you want more details about your small dog’s breed exercise needs, I encourage you to type “How much exercise does a “your dog’s breed” need?” on Google and do your own research.
For some of those breeds, I have written a more in-depth article about how much exercise they need. You can read it to find more information about your dog’s requirements by clicking on the respective link in the table above.
You should also keep in mind that even in the same breed, each dog is unique. So the recommendations up there or that you find elsewhere might not be accurate. That’s why you should consider other factors to provide your dog with the right amount of exercise!
Age
How old your dog is can also influence how much exercise he needs. The recommendation of between 30 and 60 minutes per day refers to adults only. Puppies and senior dogs might need less exercise than that.
Puppies generally require around 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice per day. So a 4-month-old puppy will need between 20 and 40 minutes of daily activity. Most small dogs should stick to the lower end of this rule because they are usually less active and energetic than larger breeds.
Too much or too vigorous exercise can be bad for puppies and cause problems down the road. Small dogs usually reach their adult size faster, but you still need to be careful while they are still under 1 year old.
Past a certain age, your dog’s physical condition and energy will gradually decrease. So you should adapt the amount and type of exercise you provide him with. Generally, between 20 and 40 minutes of moderate and low-impact physical activity should be enough for most senior small dogs.
Health
Your dog’s health is another factor you should consider when it comes to exercise. The general recommendation of 30 to 60 minutes per day is only accurate for healthy small dogs. If your dog has any problem or particular condition, it might affect his needs and tolerance to physical activity.
For example, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu can have difficulty breathing. So it might affect the amount and type of exercise they should get. That’s why I highly recommend visiting a vet for a health check of your dog.
Fitness & Energy
Your dog’s physical condition and energy can also influence his exercise needs. If he’s active and in good shape, he should be able to handle more activity. Furthermore, the more energy a dog has, the more exercise he will need to be tired out.
So, How Much Exercise Does Your Small Dog Need?
As you can see, many elements will impact your dog’s exercise needs. The small size is just one thing to consider. So you should analyze all the factors above and adjust the general recommendation of 30 to 60 minutes according to your dog’s conditions.
What Type Of Exercise Does A Small Dog Need?
Now that you have a better idea of how much exercise your dog needs, it’s time to figure out what you can do together. First off, you should walk every day, even if you have a small dog. It’s good for both of you, and it will allow him to burn off some energy, go out, and do his business.
How Much Walking Does A Small Dog Need?
In general, most small dogs will need between 15 and 30 minutes of walking per day. Ideally, it should be divided into two or three sessions. Multiple shorter walks are more appropriate for dogs with smaller legs because they generally can’t keep up with the average human walking pace over long distances.
So around half of your dog’s exercise routine should be made of walking. Apart from that, between 10 and 20 minutes of more vigorous physical activity is also necessary. Anything that will increase your dog’s heart rate and involves more effort than walking should do the job.
Besides physical activity, dogs also need mental stimulation. You can engage with their brain through training, toys, and games. Around 5 to 10 minutes of purposeful mental stimulation per day should be enough for most small breeds.
Best Exercise Ideas For Small Dogs!
With the amount and type of exercise your dog needs in mind, let me give you concrete ideas of activities you can enjoy together. With their size, some ways to stay active might be better than others. So here are a couple of things you should try!
- Walking.
- Short-Distance Running.
- Fetch.
- Tug-Of-War.
- Swimming.
- Hiking.
- Training.
- Playtime.
- Etc.
Last Thoughts About Exercise Needs Of A Small Dog!
Finally, small dogs do need exercise. They might just require less than the average dog because of their size. However, smaller breeds aren’t necessarily less active than bigger ones. So make sure to analyze all your dog’s conditions to give him the exercise he needs.
In general, a small dog should get between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. It should be divided into 15 to 30 minutes of walking, 10 to 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity, and 5 to 10 minutes of mental stimulation.
How much exercise your small dog needs will vary according to his breed, age, health, fitness, and energy level. Now that you have all the information you need to keep your dog fit and happy, it’s time to take action.
Let’s Exercise That Small Dog!
