The Yorkshire Terrier is a small but lively dog. So exercise is essential for this breed to stay fit, healthy, and happy. But with their size and energy, it can be complicated to figure out how much of it a Yorkie needs. Here’s what you should know!
In general, a Yorkshire Terrier will need between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. It will depend on the age, health, fitness, and energy level of the dog. A Yorkie should get daily walks, vigorous physical activity, and some mental stimulation. Too little or too much exercise can be harmful to your dog.
What Can Influence A Yorkshire Terrier’s Exercise Needs?
Not all Yorkies have the same requirements because every dog is unique. That’s why the general recommendation for this breed varies from 30 to 60 minutes of exercise. Some Yorkshire Terriers might need more or less than others. Here’s why!
Age
Your dog’s exercise requirements will change and evolve as he grows. Between 30 and 60 minutes per day is mostly applicable to adult Yorkies. When they are younger or older, they usually need less exercise.
How Much Exercise Does A Yorkie Puppy Need?
A puppy generally needs around 5 minutes of exercise for each month of age, up to twice a day. Smaller dog breeds, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, might be on the lower end of that rule of thumb. Therefore, a 4-month-old Yorkie puppy will need around 20 minutes of daily exercise.
| 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 Yorkie Need?
Past a certain age, a dog will gradually decrease in energy and physical condition. So a Yorkshire Terrier might need less exercise as he gets older. In general, anything between 20 and 40 minutes of moderate exercise per day should be enough for a senior Yorkie.
Whether your dog is young or old, you should also be careful with too much or intense physical activity. As puppies and seniors are more fragile, they are more prone to injuries and other problems related to overexertion. Thus, make sure to exercise your Yorkie according to his age.
Health
Besides age, your dog’s health will also influence how much exercise he will tolerate and need. The general recommendation of between 30 and 60 minutes per day refers to healthy Yorkshire Terriers. If your Yorkie has any health problems, he might require less than that.
That’s why visiting your vet for a health check can be an excellent idea. It will allow you to ensure your dog doesn’t have any special condition and understand his exercise needs better. If a Yorkshire Terrier is recovering from an illness, injury, or operation, he might require more rest than usual.
Fitness & Energy
Closely related to health, your dog’s fitness is another factor to consider. The better physical conditions a Yorkie has, the more enjoyable and easier exercise will be. So he might need more to be tired and satisfied, just like an athlete is more active than the average person.
On the other hand, an overweight or out-of-shape Yorkshire Terrier may require less exercise. A dog has to develop stamina, endurance, and strength gradually. So don’t overdo it if your Yorkie isn’t fit yet.
How much energy a dog has can also influence how much exercise he should get. As for a car, the more fuel, the longer it will take to burn it off. So the more energy a Yorkshire Terrier has, the more exercise he will need.
What Type Of Exercise Does A Yorkie Need?
Now that you have a better idea of how much exercise your Yorkie needs, it’s time to understand what type of exercise he should get. A dog requires a mix of different forms of exercise, including daily walks, physical activity, and mental stimulation. Let’s learn about them!
Walking
As you probably already know, walking your dog is essential. But a walk isn’t only a potty break. It’s also an excellent opportunity to exercise. Walking is a moderate physical activity that can offer many benefits to Yorkshire Terriers and their owners.
How Long Should You Walk A Yorkie?
You should generally walk a Yorkie for between 15 and 30 minutes per day. So half of his daily exercise needs can be made up of walking. Ideally, you should divide it into multiple short walks throughout the day. So a Yorkshire Terrier should walk for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
How Many Walks Do Yorkies Need?
Yorkies will need a minimum of one walk per day. But many shorter walks are more appropriate than a single long one for them because they have short legs and lack stamina. So taking two or three walks per day would be better. For example, you can take a morning walk, one around noon and another in the evening.
Can Yorkies Go On Long Walks?
Yorkies can go on long walks and hikes. It’s just not ideal for them. Despite their small size, they have a lot of energy. So most Yorkshire Terriers can walk more than 30 minutes. Just make sure to keep your dog hydrated, take breaks, look for signs of exhaustion, and don’t overdo it.
Learn more about how long of a walk is too much for your dog!
Physical Activity
Besides walking, there are many other ways to exercise your Yorkie physically. Physical activity will allow him to burn off more energy and improve his fitness. Therefore, it’s another type of exercise your dog will need.
In general, between 10 and 20 minutes of physical activity per day should be enough for a Yorkshire Terrier. It can include free playtime, fun games, and any other exercise that involves physical effort. Yorkies love to run, play, and be active.
But they are also fragile and don’t have a lot of endurance. So be careful with high-impact and intense physical activity. Otherwise, you might injure or over-exercise your Yorkshire Terrier. Gentle and moderate exercise is more appropriate for such a small dog.
Mental Stimulation
Physical activity isn’t the only way to spend your Yorkie’s energy. Mental exercise can also be tiring. Besides that, your dog also has a mind to stimulate. So training, brain games, and mentally challenging toys can keep him busy, entertained, and satisfied.
5 to 10 minutes of purposeful mental stimulation per day should be enough for most Yorkshire Terriers. Anything that makes your dog think and involves a significant mental effort should do the job. For example, short daily training sessions would be ideal.
Best Ways To Exercise A Yorkshire Terrier!
The best ways to exercise a Yorkie are through walks and games. Walking is a good base for moderate physical activity. Then, playing hide and seek, tug-of-war, and fetch can be great ideas to exercise your Yorkshire Terrier. For mental stimulation, training or puzzle toys are the best.
How To Tire Out A Yorkie?
Exercise that involves intense and short physical or mental effort is how you can tire out a Yorkie. Running in your backyard, playing tug-of-war, and a game of fetch are all activities that use a lot of energy very quickly. So vigorous exercise will tire out your Yorkshire Terrier.
Last Thoughts About The Yorkshire Terrier Exercise Needs!
Finally, a Yorkie will need between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. Puppies and seniors might require less than that because of their age. Health, fitness, and energy levels will also influence how much exercise your Yorkshire Terrier needs.
The best way to have a more clear and exact answer is to visit your veterinarian. A professional will be able to help you and give you personalized advice. But in general, two or three walks per day with some other physical activity and mental stimulation should be enough.
Let’s Exercise That Yorkie!
