dog walking border terrier

[lindaloopyloo]

what's the minimum?

Do you mean how long do they need walking a day? Mine sometimes gets as little as 30 mins (in the park, off lead, chasing ball etc) if I am really busy or the weather is horrible, but sits around looking resentful for the rest of the day. Usually at least 1 hour, happiest with much longer - and then spends most of the rest of the day asleep.

Terriers are working dogs. They need at least an hour a day, preferably including a good 20 mins or so off the lead free running in a safe space. Best would be a half-hour walk in the morning then an hour in the afternoon, with further toilet breaks in the garden as necessary.

Are you considering getting a puppy? If I may say without seeming rude, getting a dog thinking "what is the minimum exercise I can get away with" is not the right approach.

I agree with Lurcherlover. If you are not prepared to be out for hours in all weathers, dog ownership is not for you.

Other than that it very much depends on the dog and the type of walk.

I have a Fox Terrier x and if we are just walking then he needs at least an hour. If I take him for a run he is happy with 30 mins. If he is runnning alongside my bike then he's usually ready to go home after about 15 mins, but he will expect another 20-30min walk later in the evening.

He also does the school pick up run with us.

Walking is not the only time consuming thing you need to consider. There is training and play too. Terriers are very intelligent dogs and need stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and fustrated.

Some terriers don't need that much. Our Scotties have forty minutes a day to an hour walking, plus romps in the garden.

If it's pouring they get a quick ten-minute stroll. OBviously their legs are shorter, though.

Dooin
You wrote "If you are not prepared to be out for hours in all weathers, dog ownership is not for you." and I must disagree.

There are some dogs who do not need hours of walks, and who do not like the rain.

My dog is happy with about an hour a day. She will go for longer walks when I have time but if I don't manage she is fine. She also has an extreme rain aversion and will not go out in wet weather.

It very much depends on the dog.

Yeah, that's true MmeLindt. Mine is non too fussed on the snow. Rain he is fine with. Heavy snow, that has laid? No way. He'd rather sit in front of the fire, thanks very much.

But you won't know that until you already have the dog at home, so you need to be prepared for it. You can't get a dog and hope it will happy with just a 30 minute stroll in mild weather.

Most greyhounds are not fans of wet weather. Even with their coats on, ours either refuse to get out of the car boot, or reluctantly jump then scramble back in as soon as your back is turned. Cue comedy moment for any spectators in car park. Sigh.

If it is absolutely persisting down and cold and very windy then I am happy to not walk them - they just get miserable, especially as two are seniors and one has arthritis exacerbated by cold. But I've had other dogs in the past who've been quite happy to go out in all sorts of conditions and in fact would be far more cheesed off not to - I can't imagine the hell of being cooped up indoors with a JRT or a collie going stir crazy for instance.

Border terriers are very hardly little things and are up for long walks in any weather. Mine absolutely loved the snow last winter - he runs round in circles, rolls in it, eats it, chases snowballs.... He's not bothered about rain either (I'm the one who's not keen on long wet walks), but he does slow down a bit in hot weather (keeps stopping to stretch out in long cool grass).

I have a border collie who hates getting wet feet, she's so pampered!! She goes out to do business then straight back in, also 'puts brakes on' and won't walk far if wet, I feel v silly pulling my 'working dog' for a walk in the rain & wonder who's benefit is it for?

I saw little welly boot type things for dogs feet in the petshop earlier

I'll see if they are google-able.

they were similar to this only made from red rubber.