There are five Labradoodles in my neighborhood, and two of our friends are proud new parents of one. If you’re also new to this breed, it’s essential to understand Labradoodle’s exercise needs.
How much exercise does a Labradoodle need? Labradoodles need at least an hour a day of exercise, including a mix of walks and playing.
All dogs should receive at least 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise each day — with the time variation dependent on their health and breed.
Labradoodles are one of the breeds that requires the most exercise.
This article details more about the Labradoodle breed, giving you a better understanding of what makes them an active breed. By the end, you’ll know the exercise needs of your Doodle during their puppy, adult, and senior years — plus walk away with other exercise ideas.
- Why are Labradoodles active dogs?
- How often do Labradoodles need to be walked?
- How long should a Labradoodles walk be?
- How much exercise does a senior Labradoodle need?
Why are Labradoodles active dogs?
You can thank Labradoodle’s parent breeds for their active nature. As a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle — two breeds bred for hunting and retrieving — the Labradoodle inherited very active genes.
Labradors started as duck and fish retrievers before becoming today’s family-friendly dogs. As working dogs, they passed on the active trait to their Labradoodle crossbreed.
Poodles are a breed of water dog bred to help hunters flush out and retrieve game from water. Poodle, like the Labrador, has a lot of energy to expend.
While there isn’t a clinical “hyper dog” breed, there is a genetic sense for many dog breeds to want to burn off energy. Without the proper exercise, that energy can cause your Labradoodle to become anxious and destructive.
How often do Labradoodles need to be walked?
Labradoodles need to be walked at least once a day and preferably twice. Daily walks are an essential exercise for dogs. It helps them use up some of their energy and gives them a chance to explore the world around them.
Over time, and after their growing phase, you can increase a Labradoodle’s fitness level to become jogging or running companions.
Running with your Labradoodle too early can cause joint issues, so check with your veterinarian before starting.
Besides walks, what other exercises can you do with your Labradoodle?
Labradoodles are excellent trail runners and hiking dogs. They handle agility well, which makes rough terrain an easy challenge. Keeping up with them will be the real challenge.
The stamina of a Labradoodle also makes them a great long-distance runner.
If you aren’t a runner, Labradoodles are strong swimmers and love water, thanks to their parent breed.
Swimming can supplement running and walks in the summer months when the heat isn’t safe. Although your best friend would still appreciate early morning walks.
How long should a Labradoodle’s walk be?
A Labradoodle’s walk should be at least 30 minutes to an hour. You can start with a shorter walk at a young age and gradually increase the time as they finish growing.
Labradoodle puppies need 5 minutes of exercise twice a day for each month of age.
At 18 months, your Labradoodle is an adult and through the twelve phases of growth and development. Once fully grown, Labradoodles have tremendous stamina and are known to run for miles and ask for more.
It’s essential to test your pup’s stamina first by looking for signs of fatigue. You can avoid exhaustion by slowly increasing endurance.
Labradoodle health risks.
Unfortunately, Poodle and Labrador Retrievers have a high risk of hip dysplasia in their genes. That makes Labradoodles equally as susceptible.
Regular checkups with your veterinarian can help catch early signs of hip dysplasia, preventing your Labradoodle from overworking and worsening the issue.
If for health reasons or inactivity, always keep a close watch on your dog’s weight and adjust their food and snacks accordingly.
56% of dogs in the United States are overweight. If you keep your Labradoodle fluffy, bath time is ideal when checking for weight gain. Look for a taper at their waist and make sure you can feel their ribs.
How much exercise does a senior Labradoodle need?
As your Labradoodle gets older, they slow down and won’t need as much exercise as when they were a puppy. But, they should still get 30 minutes of exercise a day.
The lifespan of a Labradoodle is 12 to 15 years — making them a true senior at around 9 to 10 years old.
As a senior, your dog may be experiencing pain in their joints.
By maintaining a regular exercise program with your senior dog, you can better identify injuries and any decrease in your dog’s stamina — a heavy panting at mile one when mile two was the slowdown point last year.
Consider supplementing their walks with swimming or play sessions to help them burn off any excess energy.
Avoid overworking your Labradoodle.
Your dog’s age, health, and weight are essential when determining how much exercise is appropriate. An overweight dog should work into a more strenuous exercise once conditioning increases and weight decreases.
If your senior Labradoodle has any health problems, check with your veterinarian before starting or changing their exercise routine.
Final Thoughts.
Without the intense working energy of a Labrador and a Poodle, your Labradoodle wouldn’t have the wild, fun personality you love. But, managing that energy is the key to staving off destruction and chaos.
So, how much exercise does a Labradoodle need?
- Labradoodle puppies need 5 minutes of exercise twice a day for each month of age. Short, structured walks should be part of the daily routine, along with playtime.
- Labradoodle adults need a minimum of an hour of exercise each day. You should exercise twice a day. More playtime in between will make your pup even happier.
- Senior Labradoodles still need 30 minutes of exercise each day — unless instructed otherwise by a veterinarian.
When it comes to exercise, every dog is different. It’s essential to find what works best for your Labradoodle and start slow.
Don’t forget, we call it exercise, but to our pups, it’s playtime.
Do you have any tips for exercising with a Labradoodle? Share this story on social media and share your tips.
