Daily Dog Walking Time & Distance Planner
Plan daily dog walks by size, age and energy
Dog walking time, distance and sessions FAQ
How much should I walk my dog every day?
Most healthy adult dogs do well with around 30–90 minutes of walking and sniffing per day, split into two or more outings. The right number depends on size, age, breed and energy level, which this calculator uses to build a simple range.
Why do size, age and energy matter so much?
A young, high-energy herding mix can happily cover more minutes and distance than a senior giant breed. Smaller, lively dogs often need more time than people expect, while some big, heavy dogs need shorter, steadier walks to protect joints and breathing.
Does this include off-lead play and yard time?
The plan focuses on purposeful walks: on-lead or safe off-lead outings where your dog moves, toilets and sniffs. Garden mooching, training games and play are a bonus on top of this, not a full replacement for regular walks for most dogs.
How accurate is the distance estimate?
Distance is based on an average human walking speed of about 2.8 mph (4.5 km/h). If you stroll very slowly, stop to chat, or hike up steep hills, the real distance will change. Treat the miles/km numbers as a rough guide, not GPS-precise tracking.
Can I do more than the suggested walking time?
Many fit, high-energy dogs enjoy more than the default range, especially if they build up slowly. Watch for happy, loose movement, easy recovery after walks and no next-day stiffness. If you see soreness, limping or heavy breathing, ease back and ask your vet for advice.
What about very young puppies or flat-faced breeds?
Very young puppies and brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs usually need shorter, gentler walks and more rest. Always follow your vet’s instructions for these dogs; this tool is not tailored to complex medical or breed-specific needs.
Should I walk every single day?
Most dogs benefit from daily movement, but the intensity can change. Some families use one or two longer, adventurous days and several shorter, easier days each week. Use the weekly distance as a guide and adjust walk length day by day to match weather and your dog’s mood.
How to use this daily dog walking time and distance planner
This calculator turns a simple size + age + energy profile into a walking time and distance plan you can actually follow: minutes per day, distance per week and a basic AM/PM split.
1. Set your dog’s size and age band
First, choose the size range that best matches your dog’s adult weight (or expected adult weight for growing youngsters), then pick the age band. A one-year-old still counts as a young adult, while dogs over eight usually fit the senior band.
2. Pick the energy level that matches most days
Use the energy dropdown to describe your dog on typical days, not rare “zoomie” bursts. Think about how long they want to play, how quickly they tire, and whether they are generally chilled, average or go-go-go.
3. Read the daily minutes and weekly distance
After you tap Calculate walking plan, the summary shows:
- A daily walking range in minutes per day.
- An approximate distance per day and per week in miles and km.
- A short description of the dog profile you selected.
The range lets you flex up and down; some days sit near the lower end, others near the top when everyone has more time.
4. Use the AM/PM split for real-life walks
The second column breaks the plan into two or three walks with minutes per outing. Many families aim for a bathroom and sniff walk in the morning and a longer session later in the day. You can cut or combine sessions to match your routine.
5. Copy the summary and adjust over time
The Copy summary button grabs the minutes, distances and sessions into plain text for your notes app or family chat. Watch your dog’s weight, shape and behaviour over a few weeks and tweak the plan if your vet suggests more or less exercise.
Treat this page as a starting template rather than a strict rulebook. Your vet and your own dog’s comfort always win over any calculator.
How the daily dog walking time and distance math works
The maths stays small so the form can stay simple: three choices in, a time range and distances out. Behind the scenes, the calculator uses a base walking time, then nudges it up or down for age and energy.
1. Base minutes by size
Each size band gets a base daily walking time for a typical adult, average-energy dog. For example, a medium dog sits around the middle of the range, while a large, athletic dog starts a little higher and a giant breed a little lower to protect joints.
2. Age and energy factors
Age and energy level apply simple multipliers to that base. Young adults and high-energy dogs get more minutes, puppies and seniors lean towards shorter, gentler totals. The result is then capped into a sensible window and rounded to the nearest five minutes.
3. From minutes to distance and sessions
Distance uses an average walking speed of about 2.8 mph (4.5 km/h). The calculator works out:
- Approximate miles and km per day for the suggested minutes.
- Weekly distance by multiplying the daily figure by seven.
- Two or three sessions per day, with minutes per walk based on the daily total.
It is not a training programme or rehab schedule, just a quick planning tool that lines up with how many vets and trainers talk about dog exercise in everyday language.
References and further reading on dog exercise and walking needs
These guides pair well with this walking time and distance planner:
- American Kennel Club — How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need Every Day? — overview of daily exercise by breed type, age and health.
- RSPCA Australia — Top tips for exercising your dog — practical advice on building up walks safely, especially for puppies.
- PDSA — How much exercise does your dog need? — examples of walk lengths by size and age with body condition tips.
Always follow your own vet’s exercise advice if your dog has joint disease, heart or lung problems, is on medication or is recovering from injury or surgery.