Vet gives verdict on how often you should really be walking your dog

By Katie-Ann Gupwell, Senior Social News Reporter

Dogs need regular exercise (stock image) (Image: Getty)

Pet owners know all too well how important it is to take their dogs for a walk.

After all, they need exercise, benefit from fresh air and love nothing more than running around and playing. But, how long should you really be spending outdoors with your pooch?

A vet has recently given the answer, and it all depends on what kind of dog you have. Dr Nicole Rous recently shared advice in a candid TikTok video, and it's quite easy when you break it down.

She said: "The rules are different for puppies and for adult dogs. There is a great rule of thumb for puppies - it's five minutes per month of life, and you can do this twice a day.

"So, if you have a four-month-old puppy, four times five is 20, looking at exercising for 20 minutes twice a day. That includes walks and things like that, but it also includes exercise in the back yard and games you're playing."

She added: "Adult dogs average 30 to 60 minutes a day, but this one's variable. So, if you've got a really active breed like a Border Collie, you're probably looking at one to two hours.

"If you've got a more sedentary breed, you might be looking at two 20 minute walks a day rather than the full hour. Now, for senior dogs, we're at a similar level - 30 to 60 minutes, but the type of exercise is really important to look after their joints.

"We want to look at low impact exercise, so walks, look at the surface you're walking on and then consider things like hydrotherapy - that's a really good exercise for the oldies to include in their regime."

But she said it's "so important" to keep exercise going as the dog ages. Dr Nicole said you want to ensure they still use their brains as much as possible.

Since the video was shared, it's been viewed hundreds of times, and people were quick to share their thoughts. Dog owners were keen to open up about their own routines.

One person said: "My dogs are walked twice a day for a minimum of 30 minutes. Leny is almost 15 and Stanley is nearly 10."

Another added: "We love long walks." A third also replied: "I walk my two doggos every day. My lab stops to sniff every few steps."

When it comes to dog walking, most experts say a typical dog should be walked for 20 to 30 minutes per walk, and the majority need at least one walk a day.

However, they ideally need two, but this all depends on their breed, age and overall health. It's important to monitor your dog's energy levels and tweak the length of walks accordingly.

This is because some breeds may need a lot more or less exercise than others. If you're in doubt, do your research and ask a professional's advice.