How far should I walk my old english sheepdog puppy of 5 months?

by Jessica Smith
(United Kingdom)

I have an old english sheep dog who is 5 months old. At the moment I walk her just for 25 minutes a day as I read that puppies should be walked five minutes for every four weeks of their life,.

Can any one tell me how far I should be walking my old english sheep dog?




Hi Jessica
That's an adorable little girl you've got there, what a sweet face!

Actually you're about right in the amount of exercise she is getting right now. Large breed puppies need to take it easy on their bones and joints while they are growing and developing.

Too much, or too strenuous, exercise can cause damage or problems. About 20 - 25 mins of normal pace walking is about right for a pup of 6 months old, so you're on the right track. A hard surface such as concrete or asphalt is harder on her joints than softer surfaces such as grass or earth, so don't let her run or jump around on the sidewalks, road etc.

It's a good idea to let your puppy set the pace for the walk too, don't rush her along. Once she's fully developed and mature, she will have much more endurance, and won't be so at risk for injury.

Best of luck with your puppy.