How Much Exercise Does My Labrador Need?

While Labrador Retrievers are a popular companion dog around the world, they were first bred as sporting dogs and retained much of their working prowess even after being pet. Labrador Retrievers were originally bred and trained to retrieve with armed sportsmen, and they are considered a type of “hunting dog”.

Naturally, dogs bred to work have high energy levels to cope with the daily tasks assigned to them. According to the American Kennel Club, Labrador Retrievers are classified as “high energy” dogs that will need “lots” of exercise each day. AKC compliant breeder Ruffwood Labs emphasizes that exercise is not worth exercise time but effort.

How Much Exercise Should Labradors Get?

puppies

According to Ruffwood Labs, Labrador puppies should be walked for about 5 minutes for every month of life. So a 20 minute walk would be appropriate for a four month old puppy. However, not all rides are equal. Consider the terrain you will be walking on, e.g. steep hills and rough tracks. The most important thing is not the duration of the exercise but its quality.

Puppies are walked to help with socialization and leading skills rather than a need for exercise per se. Let them guide the activity – sniff and investigate or run around wildly for a few minutes. They usually stop and sit or lie down if they need a rest, let them.

Additionally, Ruffwood Labs warns of overwork your puppies. As Labradors are a medium to large dog breed, they are generally considered to be at risk for hip dysplasia, a condition in which the hip joints are malformed, often leading to degenerative joint disease. Hip dysplasia is multifactorial, and genetics, diet, and exercise all play a role.

Although exercise is a crucial part of raising a Labrador Retriever, especially as a companion dog where they are much more likely to become overweight or obese, you will need to ensure that you do not over exercise your young dog. Ruffwood Labs recommends that Labrador puppies not be exercised vigorously and kept off stairs to avoid damage to their delicate, growing joints.

Adults

Slowly increase your Labrador’s exercise as he gets older. As adults, at 18 months, they can do more vigorous exercise and start jogging with you if you want.

Your average Labrador would benefit from around 1-2 hours of exercise per day, but this can be broken down into manageable time slots. Exercise also includes brain stimulation such as training and scent work. So your morning and evening walks can also be supplemented with workouts at home. Labradors love to swim and it can be a great form of exercise for them. Be creative, play games, use puzzle loaders and have fun building your bond together.

Signs of exercise intolerance

Labradors are also predisposed to be intolerant. You will need to keep this in mind when exercising your dog, especially during the summer months when the heat will exacerbate any issues your dog has with exercise.

If you see any of the following signs while exercising your Labrador, stop the activity and let your dog rest.

Damage to paw pads

Some dogs get so engrossed in their play that they accidentally put excessive pressure on the paw pads. Dr. Susan Jeffrey tells PetMD that some dogs “will run until the pads on their feet tear and then run some more.”

If you see your dog limping or using one foot on another foot, check that his pads are in good condition. Even though pad injuries are usually painful, some dogs will ignore the very clear sign that they need to stop to continue playing.

Sore or stiff muscles

If your dog seems sore or stiff once he calms down after a play session, the session may have been too intense or too long for your dog’s liking. The pain or stiffness will usually become noticeable once your dog has rested after their play session.

Often the pain or stiffness is caused by “weekend warrior syndrome,” says Jen Pascucci, a pet rehabilitation therapist. Owners sometimes try to fit an entire week of exercise into the two days at the end of the week, but this is usually detrimental to the dog’s health.

Behavioral changes

If your dog isn’t quite himself or is acting oddly, especially when you usually exercise, that’s a good sign that something is wrong. Your dog may not be feeling well, or maybe you went a little too hard the night before.

Let your dog rest if he doesn’t seem interested or refuses to play or exercise. Don’t force them. If the problem persists, contact your veterinarian to rule out a medical diagnosis.

Heat injury or intolerance

If your dog gets injured during play or starts showing signs of heat sickness, you should stop play immediately and take him to a veterinarian. Prompt treatment is essential in such situations.

Final Thoughts

Exercising your dog is an essential part of being a dog owner. So it makes sense to learn as much as possible about how to keep your dog healthy before you get one. When selecting your new family member, it’s important to choose a dog that will suit your lifestyle. If you can’t keep up with your Labrador’s exercise needs, he may suffer health and mental consequences. So keep that in mind before bringing your new dog home.

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