Labradoodles are amazing dogs that are social, loving, and playful. Bringing one of these dogs into your home can open your world up to lots of adventure, but like with any pet, there’s also worry involved. All pet owners want their pets to be happy and healthy. One part of this is ensuring all their needs are met, including the proper amount of exercise. So, how much exercise does a Labradoodle need?
Unfortunately, there’s no short answer to that question. The amount of exercise a particular Labradoodle needs depends on their age and size. Mini Labradoodles only need around 45 minutes of exercise twice per day and a standard Labradoodle will require around 60 minutes of exercise twice per day. You’ll also notice that puppies and seniors have different exercise requirements.
Let’s learn more about Labradoodles, their exercise needs, and what you can do to help your pooch reach those goals.
A Bit About Labradoodles
Labradoodles are easily one of the most popular designer dog breeds in the world. Oddly enough, this breed was created to offer those in need of a service dog one that was considered hypoallergenic and usable for those with dog allergies.
The Labrador Retriever has always been regarded as one of the best working dogs and was used for its intelligence, loyalty, and obedience. The Poodle, the other parent breed of the Labradoodle, is also highly intelligent and considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. The mix of these 2 amazing breeds was planned by the Royal Guide Dogs of Australia. Once the breeding took place, Labradoodles stepped up and proved that not only were they perfect for service dogs, but they were ideal family pets as well.
The Labradoodle is a designer breed that offers different temperaments and coat results. Most of these dogs are playful, loving, and loyal. They do great in family settings, with singles, or as the service animals they were intended to be. You’ll also find that they come in multiple sizes, coat colors, and levels of shedding. As a breed that is considered quite active, there’s no surprise that they need lots of exercise to stay happy and healthy.
What Is Considered Exercise for a Labradoodle?
Most dog owners instantly think of taking a walk when it comes to exercise for their dogs. However, there’s a lot more your dog can do to get their exercise in for the day. While walking is great and should be done, to keep yourself and your Labradoodle happy, consider branching out a bit.
One of the more common ways to give your dog exercise is playing fetch. Yes, stepping out into the backyard to allow your dog to chase a ball or frisbee counts as exercise. Running around with the kids or playing with another dog is also great. Among other activities, you can take your dog along for a hike or on a jog. You’ll also find that Labradoodles love the water. This makes going swimming a great activity to not only tire them out but to care for their exercise needs.
How Much to Walk Your Labradoodle
As potentially the most used and safest exercise for your Labradoodle, it’s important to know how much walking is safe for your dog. All of this depends on your dog’s age and size. Did you know that too much exercise can hinder a puppy’s growth? It’s true, even though many of us never think of it.
A puppy’s bones and muscles are still developing and are quite delicate. Too much stress on them can cause problems and keep the puppy from reaching its full potential size. Due to this fact, it’s best to only allow a puppy under 2 years of age to walk up to 1 to 2 miles at a time when taking them out to exercise. In addition, you should not allow puppies to run at their full speed for excessive lengths of time. As a dog grows, however, it can walk more. You’ll find some adult dogs that can easily walk between 5 to 10 miles if the owner is up for it. The key is to never push your dog more than it can handle.
Here’s a guide to help you understand walking, a great way to exercise your dog, and how much a Labradoodle needs to reach their exercise goals in a day.
| Age | Teacup Labradoodle | Mini Labradoodle | Standard Labradoodle |
| 2 months | 10 minutes up to 3 times per day | 10 minutes up to 3 times per day | 10 minutes up to 3 times per day |
| 4 months | 20 minutes up to 3 times per day | 15 minutes up to 3 times per day | 15 minutes up to 3 times per day |
| 6–12 months | 30 minutes up to 3 times per day | 25 minutes up to 3 times per day | 30 minutes up to 3 times per day |
| 12–24 months | 30–60 minutes up to 2 times daily | 45–90 minutes up to 2 times per day | 30–60 minutes up to 2 times per day |
| Adult | 30–60 minutes up to 2 times per day | 45–90 minutes up to 2 times per day | 60 minutes up to 2 times per day |
| Senior (8+ years) | 20–30 minutes up to 2 times per day | 30–45 minutes up to 2 times per day | 30–60 minutes up to 2 times per day |
Mental Stimulation
When making sure your Labradoodle is getting all the exercise they need, don’t forget their brains. Yes, these are intelligent dogs, but they need proper mental stimulation. It’s just as important as physical activity. One of the best ways to do this is to buy interactive toys. These types of toys are ideal for pet owners who work outside of the home and can’t be there to keep their dogs occupied. You’ll also find that teaching your Labradoodle new tricks and activities is great for their minds and can be physical exercise as well.
Conclusion
Labradoodles are amazing dogs that want to be active. If you have one of these cuties or plan on bringing one into your home, understanding their exercise needs is necessary. While these requirements change according to the size and age of your Labradoodle, you can easily say that on average, an adult Labradoodle should get at least an hour of exercise per day. Puppies and seniors, of course, have different guidelines due to their limitations. If you want to give your Labradoodle the best life possible, learn about their needs and do your best to ensure they are met daily.
Featured Image Credit: Chedko, Shutterstock
