Puppy exercise chart for big breeds, by age
How much exercise does a big puppy need? The AKC suggests about 5 minutes of walking per month of age, once or twice a day. Hold off on leash jogging until 12 to 18 months. Get the whole puppy exercise chart free.
- The by-age card: walks, stairs, jumping, running and free play, one row per age
- The 5-minute math: walk minutes for her age, already worked out
- Where experts split: jogging age and walk length, shown honestly, plus the safer pick
How much exercise does a large-breed puppy need?
Less than her energy suggests. The AKC suggests about 5 minutes of walking per month of age, once or twice a day. A 4-month-old gets about 20 minutes. The AKC calls safe free running the best exercise for puppies. Too much sustained, vigorous exercise may lead to problems later, the AKC warns.
Why do growing joints need care?
The long bones in a puppy’s legs grow from soft growth plates, explains Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’s chief veterinary officer. They harden and “close” when growth stops. Large breeds keep growing longer, 18 to 24 months, writes Dr. Jennifer Coates for PetMD.
When can I start running with my puppy?
The sources don’t agree, and the card shows all of them.
| Source | Leash jogging, large breeds |
|---|---|
| AKC exercise guide | 12 to 18 months |
| Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC | Never before 14 to 18 months |
| Malinois.UK | Bones not fully developed until 18 months |
The safer pick is 18 months. Ask your vet before you start.
Can puppies use stairs?
One Lab breeder interviewed by the AKC advises no stairs until about 4 months. Malinois.UK says growing puppies shouldn’t climb stairs frequently. Practice now and then is fine.
When can my puppy jump?
The AKC says to restrict repeated jumping, like a ball tossed straight up, until she’s fully mature. Malinois.UK says no agility jumps until at least 12 months.
Want it on the fridge? One printable card, every age row on one page.
Click Here To Get My Free CardSources: American Kennel Club (puppy exercise guide; puppy growth chart with Dr. Jerry Klein; large-breed care; Labrador puppy timeline); German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria; Malinois.UK; PetMD, Jennifer Coates, DVM; Golden Retriever Club of America. General information, not veterinary advice.