How a dog’s breed affects walking requirements
High-energy working breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labs need much more exercise than, say, a toy breed. Without 1 to 2 hours of exercise each day, these breeds may gain weight and develop undesirable habits out of boredom.
Small dogs like Miniature Poodles and Chihuahuas can get away with 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day, but their stamina for longer walks might surprise you. Remember that small dogs have shorter legs, so what seems like a short walk to you might be too much for your toy breed.
Long walks can be incredibly difficult for brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs since their face shape inhibits airflow during strenuous exercise. You may want to keep walks under 10 to 15 minutes, especially if they’re older. If this is still too much for your pooch, consider getting a pet stroller. Strollers give dogs the mental stimulation they need without being taxing on their body.
Overexerting your dog can lead to health conditions like arthritis. If your dog is at risk of developing arthritis or other conditions associated with high activity levels, check out our pet insurance comparison tool. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like Figo and Healthy Paws.
They’ve had time to digest their breakfast
Much like humans, dogs often need to relieve themselves in the morning. As such, if you want to keep your floors clean, you should take them outside when you first wake up. However, until they’ve digested their breakfast, they’re not going to make the most of a morning constitutional.
According to the Australian Sleep Health Foundation, the average Aussie wakes up at 6.32am. On the basis of this finding, we can assume the average dog receives their breakfast between 6.30 and 7am. By walking your pooch at 10am, you’re granting them a few hours to digest those sunrise munchies before pounding the pavement.
When is it too hot to walk a dog?
If you are asking yourself is it too hot to walk my dog? There are two factors to consider.
Walking dogs in high temperatures can be incredibly harmful and even fatal, making it essential to know what to check for when the weather gets warm.
This may come as a surprise, but walking a dog in any temperature over 19°C can carry risks. Even on a gentle stroll, a temperature rise to just 20 degrees can be too much, as dogs are susceptible to heatstroke.
This is why stray dogs in warm countries naturally tend to sleep in the shade during the day.
When is it too hot to walk a dog? Here’s a scale to help you decide if it is safe, or whether you should wait for it to cool down. Get the answer to do dogs eat less in summer?
| Temperature | Heatstroke risk level | Advice |
| 12 – 15°C | No reported cases | This temperature is perfect for walking dogs, usually found early in the morning or in the summer evenings. |
| 16 – 19 C | Low risk | There is a low risk at this temperature, however you should monitor behaviour in older dogs, puppies, obese and brachycephalic dogs. |
| 20 – 23 C | Medium risk | Stick to low intensity exercise. Lead walk to avoid dogs being tempted to chase or run, giving them plenty of sniffy time (Dog enrichment ideas). |
| 24 – 27 C | Very High Risk | This temperature is dangerous for all dogs. Take dogs for walks when the temperature is cooler instead, for example, before 8am or after 8pm if the temperatures are low enough. |
| 28 – 31 | Extreme caution. High risk | These temperatures are dangerous for all dogs. Only take your dog outside for a walk if the temperatures drop down to safe levels. |
| 32 C | Extreme High Risk | In these temperatures, you should not venture out, regardless of the breed, age or health of your dog or puppy. |
It’s not just the air temperature you need to consider when deciding when is it too hot to walk a dog, but the temperature of the ground too. The pavement, sand or concrete can get up to 60°C higher than the air temperature.
The rule of thumb is that if you are unable to comfortably hold the palm of your hand down on the ground for 10 seconds, the pavement can burn and blister your dog’s paws.
Consider the different surfaces that you intend to walk your dog on and if there’s any risk that it could be too hot, you should wait until it is colder to walk them.
When is the Best Time to Walk Your Dog? | Wag!
It may come as a surprise to learn that even at 20°C, a dog can suffer from heatstroke on a walk. But when is it too hot to walk a dog? Let’s look at the best times of day to walk a dog in summer, which dogs are more at risk from overheating, warning signs and top tips to keep them safe in the summer.