How Often Should You Walk a Dog, and for How Long?

Updated August 3, 2026 · reading time approx. 6 min

"How many times a day" and "how long" are two different questions that often get mixed up. The answer depends on your dog's age, breed, and your own daily schedule, but there's a clear baseline to start from: how many walks a day, how long each one should be, and how far apart they can safely be spaced.

How many walks a day is the baseline

A healthy adult dog needs at least three walks a day: morning, midday or afternoon, and evening. The morning and evening walks should be a fixed part of the day; the midday one is more of a bonus for a bathroom break and a stretch. For smaller, calmer breeds like a pug or chihuahua, the midday walk can sometimes be skipped, while large, high-energy breeds like a border collie or German shepherd often benefit from a fourth, shorter walk.

How long should a walk be

• Small, low-energy breeds (pug, chihuahua, bichon frisé): 15–20 minutes is enough — consistency matters more than length.
• Medium breeds (cocker spaniel, Jack Russell terrier, dachshund): 30–45 minutes, ideally with some off-leash time.
• Large and working breeds (border collie, German shepherd, Siberian husky): 45–60 minutes or more, often split into a longer morning and evening walk.

How long can a dog wait between walks

A healthy adult dog can typically go 6–8 hours between walks without issue. A longer gap during the day raises the risk of accidents indoors and unnecessary frustration; overnight, most adult dogs handle 8+ hours fine as long as they had a proper evening walk. Dogs with sensitive digestion, or older dogs, need shorter gaps even if otherwise healthy.

Puppies need a much tighter rhythm

A puppy doesn't yet have the bladder control of an adult dog. A useful rule of thumb: the number of hours a puppy can hold it roughly equals its age in months plus one, so a two-month-old puppy can manage about three hours. Take it out right after waking up, after every meal, and after a longer play session; for the youngest puppies that means five to seven walks a day in practice. Investing in consistency early pays off — puppies learn to go outside, not indoors, much faster that way.

What to do when you can't keep a fixed schedule

Work hours, commuting or illness can throw off a walking schedule from one day to the next. If you already know the midday walk won't happen, factor that in when choosing a breed; not every dog copes well with eight hours alone at home. Solutions include a neighbor or family member stepping in, a paid dog walker, or doggy daycare on the days you're away longest. It's better to set up a system in advance than to improvise once the dog is already bored or destructive at home.

The bottom line: consistency beats length

A solid walking schedule comes down to this: three to four walks a day at similar times, length adjusted for breed and age, and much shorter gaps for puppies than for adult dogs. Regular short walks beat one long walk a week, every time.

Compare exercise needs across breeds in our breed guide, and read more about overall daily activity in how much exercise does a dog need.