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If you own a dog, you'll know how important it is to walk your pet and keep them fit and active, but you may not realise how long you should be spending outside with them . After all, all walks differ, with some people taking on miles, and others simply going for a stroll around the block. However, little you may know, you should be spending a specific amount of time outside with your pooch. A vet has recently detailed what people need to know, as it can have a vital impact on your dog 's health , with the answer all depending on the type of dog you have. Dr Nicole Rous shared her advice in a straightforward TikTok video. If you're thinking of boosting your walks in the winter, you may want to think about when it's too cold to take your dogs out too. She explained: "The rules are different for puppies and for adult dogs . There is a great rule of thumb for puppies - it's five minutes per month of life, and you can do this twice a day. "So, if you have a four-month-old puppy, four times five is 20, looking at exercising for 20 minutes twice a day. That includes walks and things like that, but it also includes exercise in the back yard and games you're playing." She continued: "Adult dogs average 30 to 60 minutes a day, but this one's variable. So, if you've got a really active breed like a Border Collie, you're probably looking at one to two hours. "If you've got a more sedentary breed, you might be looking at two 20 minute walks a day rather than the full hour. Now, for senior dogs, we're at a similar level, 30 to 60 minutes, but the type of exercise is really important to look after their joints. "We want to look at low impact exercise, so walks, look at the surface you're walking on and then consider things like hydrotherapy. That's a really good exercise for the oldies to include in their regime." But she said it's "so important" to keep exercise going as the dog ages. Dr Nicole said you want to ensure they still use their brains as much as possible. Since the video was shared, it's been viewed hundreds of times, and people were quick to share their thoughts. Dog owners were keen to open up about their own routines. One person said: "My dogs are walked twice a day for a minimum of 30 minutes. Leny is almost 15 and Stanley is nearly 10." Another added: "We love long walks." A third also replied: "I walk my two doggos every day. My lab stops to sniff every few steps." When it comes to dog walking, most experts say a typical dog should be walked for 20 to 30 minutes per walk, and the majority need at least one walk a day. However, they ideally need two, but this all depends on their breed, age and overall health. It's important to monitor your dog's energy levels and tweak the length of walks accordingly. This is because some breeds may need a lot more or less exercise than others. If you're in doubt, do your research and ask a professional's advice.
