Walk time for 3 yo Lab

[MonkeyTennis34]

I give our boy 2 hours walking a day.

Usually, 1 hour in the morning (mainly off-lead beach, fields, sometimes meeting up with other dog friends so can be very boisterous play) and 1 hour in the early evening, mainly on-lead with a short run about in the local park.

I got talking to another (experienced) Lab owner this morning who said 2 half hour walks are enough, so 1 hour a day.

Our boy had double elbow dysplasia surgery when he was 14 months old. The orthopaedic surgeon said to treat him as normal, obviously after the recovery period.

He's our first dog.
Seems to love his walks but realise he would just keep going if I let him!

Any Lab owners got some advice?

Ours have three hour long walks every day, mix of road and field and park. We’ve always done this and ours are very healthy and happy. 1 hour a day wouldn’t be enough for ours.

Not a lab owner - but I have an 18 month old golden - so very similar in terms of exercise needs. He gets 90 minutes a day (my other dogs are older and get 2-3hrs). Once he’s fully grown he’ll get 2-3hours.

Honestly, I think 60 minutes across two walks would be cruel for a lab if it’s capable of doing more (I.e not in pain) and it won’t cause damage. They’re energetic dogs. They need exercise. They deserve exercise. If people want a dog that only needs 60 minutes a day they should get an appropriate breed.

Just because a lab can survive on less doesn’t mean they’re living their best life. TBH the under exercising/stimulation probably why so many labs are obese and have behavioural issues.

So, in short, I think you’re doing a good job :) if your dog is happy then carry on!

All labs I know get 2-3 hours of exercise a day.

Two half hour walks a day?!? Not enough. My 13 and 15 year old mini labradoodles get about an hour 15, 40 in the morning 35 in the evening and could happily have another!

Ours had 2 hours off lead a day in woods or fields (rain and shine as long as not too hot) both with some ball throwing. He would also be out in garden whenever he wanted to and have some mental stimulation every day either indoors or in the garden - either in the form of training or games.

Perhaps a bit less walking on really hot days, but we would still drive/park at the woods where it is much cooler and eerie as the trees are dense.

imo 2 x 30 mins regularly isn't enough.

2 hours a day here

Mine usually has 1 hour 10 mins a day. She sometimes gets an extra walk (maybe once a week) anywhere between 10mins to an hour.

She is very content at home just lazing about the house sleeping, watching me cook and watching us eat. 😂

We tend to play with her a couple of times a day (chase, fetch, tug, tricks) totalling about 15 mins a day.

There are 5 of us though, so lots of people to watch, follow about and listen out for!

We have a big garden and she can go in and out when she likes. She tends to just walk around it and sniff rather than run around though (unless we're actively playing with her).

Theres the odd day where she hasn't had a walk at all (if we've all been ill) or a really short walk and she's been completely fine. On days like that though I would give her a natural chew or frozen kong etc just in case she gets bored.

So I think it depends on the dog.

Oh and she is 4 years old.

At 3, my male lab was getting a minimum of 2 hours per day spread over 3 walks, off and on lead. He’s 13 now and has arthritis so has slowed down , but keeping him fit and slim in his younger years has helped him stay pretty healthy up till now.
Every dog is an individual so only you will know how happy your dog is with his exercise , but you sound like you are doing well with yours .