Am I walking my dog too much?

[RedDwarves]

Hello,

Not a new dog owner, but all of my previous dogs have been high energy (JRT, Kelpie, Border Collie etc). I have a 7 year old Beagle. He has lost 6kg since March 2017 on a carefully controlled diet formed in consultation with the Beagle Club (Australia) and his vet, and this has of course resulted in an increase in his energy.

I tend to walk him for between 5 and 8km per day, but on average seems to be more around the 6-6.5km mark. He seems fine with this, but comments on this forum about joint strain etc. have made me wonder whether I am pushing him too far.

We did 7km yesterday and he slowed down in the last 500m, but wasn't struggling. This morning, according to an app we use, we did close to 8km but this seems like an overestimation on the app's part, as I have done that route before and gotten a shorter result.

How much exercise would you recommend for a 7 year old Beagle? He's typically very chilled out, sleeps most of the day, but loves his daily walk. A couple of years ago, he would not have been able to do these distances due to his weight, but I'm wondering now whether, despite his weight loss, we should be cutting his walks back in length?

Thanks in advance.

I don't think there's any problem if he enjoys the walks and is calm and well behaved at home. Dogs get used to the amount of exercise they have.

Over walking is only really an issue in puppies (to prevent joint problems I later life) and adult hyper dogs that people walk more and more to 'tire them out' but just get a fitter and still hyped up dog (where brain training is a good idea to tire them out rather than just getting them fitter and fitter by walking more and more).

So long as your dog is happy on his walks and not totally exhausted afterwards, it's fine.

A seven year old Beagle should be able to handle pretty much anything you can do (unless you are some kind of super adventurous explorer or mountain climber). His joints are all grown and sealed and mature so no worries there. 5 miles/8km is not at all far for a healthy, adult beagle who should be able to handle 2 or even 3 times as far easily. Crack on and enjoy!

For gods sake!!!! Wrong thread. Very sorry

A guy in my running group runs full marathons with his beagle.. He should be able to do any distance if you are regularly doing 6km a day.
Joints and bones are fully developed so I wouldn't worry about that.

Sounds like he's got it good and you are setting him up for a long and healthy life!

My friend's beagle walks a similar amount. Also, it really depends on the dog. I have a supposedly high energy dog (GSD) but after around 30 mins of walking in the field and 10 mins of fetch he's done for the day.

Long as he happy with them continue wlooking. I have a land and we do anuthing between 6 and 25 miles in a day (he is chilled out doing either or in between. Vet said as he is used to it continue as long as he can do it

Thanks everyone!