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How much exercise does my Poodle need?

Poodles are known for their intelligence, elegance and friendly nature. The breed comes in three sizes, Standard, Miniature and Toy, with Standard Poodles being the largest and Toy Poodles being the smallest. Whichever size of Poodle is the perfect pup for you, it’s important to ensure they get the right amount of exercise, but how much do these lovable dogs actually need?

How much exercise does my Standard Poodle need?

A Standard Poodle can grow between 37 to 60 cm in length and has lots of energy and stamina. A healthy adult will need 50 minutes of daily exercise on average.

How much exercise does my Miniature Poodle need?

A Miniature Poodle grows to between 28 to 38 cm in length, and while they may be smaller than a Standard Poodle, their exercise needs don’t differ, and a healthy adult will need at least 50 minutes a day.

How much exercise does my Toy Poodle need?

The Toy Poodle may be the smallest Poodle in stature, growing to between 25 to 28 cm long, but don’t let their small size fool you. This little pup still has lots of energy and will need 40 minutes of exercise a day on average.

How should I exercise my Poodle?

Exercising your Poodle, whatever their size, doesn’t just need to be formal walks. Play can be a fantastic way to get them moving, too, as Poodles are an extremely intelligent breed and will benefit from the additional mental stimulation and enrichment.

Of course, every dog is different, so if you’d like a tailored exercise goal for your Poodle, you need to download the free PitPat app. We can tell you how much exercise they need each day with just a few simple details like your dog’s age, breed and weight. 

If you want more insights, pop a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker or a PitPat Dog Activity Monitor onto their collar. You’ll be able to track all of their activity and see how much walking, running, and even pottering they do each day.

How much exercise does a Poodle puppy need?

It won’t be a surprise to learn that Poodle puppies need less exercise than their adult counterparts. With puppies, their bones, muscles and joints are constantly growing and developing, and overexercising them can cause issues in later life, so it’s important to be mindful until they’re fully grown. Toy and Miniature poodles will be fully grown by about 12 months, while a Standard Poodle may not reach that point until they are nearly two years old.

Initially, most of your puppy’s exercise will involve tearing around the house and playing with toys, as they’ll need to be fully vaccinated before they go for walkies for the first time. Whether their exercise is taking the form of zoomies or walking outside, the general rule is that puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise for every month of their age. 

It’s also important to remember that walking your puppy is about so much more than how far you go. It’s the perfect time to let them explore the world, work on good behaviour and get some much-needed socialisation with other dogs too.

The easiest way to keep track of how much exercise your puppy is getting is to use a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker or a PitPat Dog Activity Monitor. That way, you can ensure you’re getting the exercise balance just right, and our app will even adjust their exercise goal as they grow. 

How much exercise does a Senior Poodle need?

As your dog gets older, it’s completely normal for them to start slowing down, and you may find they aren’t able to walk as far as they used to – for all Poodles, this tends to happen between 7-9 years of age. 

While you shouldn’t stop exercising your dog unless advised to by a vet, you may want to start thinking about reducing any high-intensity exercise and opting for more frequent, shorter walks spread out throughout the day.

It’s also important to remember that Poodles are a friendly breed who like to please their owners, so they may try and keep up with you even though they’re at their limit. So keep an eye on them when you’re out and about, and watch out for excessive panting or other signs of exhaustion.

What are the best types of exercise for a Poodle?

All Poodles thrive when doing exercises that work both their bodies and their minds, so why not try some of these activities that combine both?

Agility training. Poodles are naturally athletic, and when you combine that with their intelligence, agility training is something they’re likely to excel at. You can practice agility as part of a group or even set up a course yourself at home.

Swimming. Originally bred to be water retrievers, it’s no surprise that Poodles are perfectly formed for taking a dip. They even have a waterproof coat and webbed paws! This exercise is also excellent for senior Poodles, as it’s a low-impact way to get them moving.

Fetch. This game may be simple, but it’s great for dog breeds with a high prey drive, like Poodles. If fetching the ball becomes too repetitive for them, then why not try playing with a dog-friendly frisbee instead?

Ultimately whatever exercise you choose to do with your Poodle, Standard, Miniature or Toy, it’s all about keeping your dog happy and healthy. So it’s time to get out there and have some fun with your best friend, with a little help from a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker, of course. After all, nothing beats off-lead confidence and the ability to know your dog is getting the exercise they need every day.

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