5 mins for each month - walking

[MildredPuppy]

When does this advice end. My dog has energy for much longer walks but we dont want to damage is joints. He is nearly 5 months.

Previous Lab, the only dog we've had (the love of my life) was not fat at 37kg according to the vet so there is a big size range for the breed. He was a giant, and she is dainty.

I battle with this internally daily!! We've mostly-ish stuck to the rule (per walk, certainly not per day!) but then DPup will come back and leg it around the garden for 20 minutes! How is that any different to running around a field?

For a guide to the strength of a labrador in water, my first would swim (once) back and forth across our tidal river for fun, even in winter. The tide runs at 7 or 8 mph; that's how powerful a fit Lab should be. Once I was shouting at a seal, thinking it was the dog. Seals don't do obedience.

Doje, I think the recommendations err on the conservative because breeders don't want over-exercised pups with joint issues. Current dog came from great stock and was carefully bred, but has had elbow problems from early on. She is kept very fit, and can chase any quarry, but we have to make sure she has five walks a week that are long enough but also a bit dull. Left to her own choice, she'd do more. You probably need to play some retrieving games in the garden.