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Dog
Facts &
Information,
Honest Review On Dog Breeds,
All About Dog Training &
Care |
Exercising Different Dog Breeds
The amount of time you are prepared
to spare exercising your dog should determine the
breed of dog you take up as a pet. To lead a healthy
and happy life, every dog needs exercise—the
extent of which varies according to the dog's sex,
age, breed and health.
The importance of adequate exercising
is reflected in the huge number of dogs who have
confinement and lack of exercise to blame for poor
muscle and bone growth, obesity, cardiac ailments
and a host of other physical and emotional problems.
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It's a wise idea to have
your dog thoroughly examined by a vet before
starting him off on an exercise regimen
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To obtain professional advice
on the exact amount of exercise required by
your dog
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To rule out possibilities
of disabilities, weaknesses or any cardiac and/or
circulatory problems.
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To chalk out a strict exercise
routine to be religiously followed thereafter.
Males of most species display greater
stamina than females. A puppy, again, is expected
to be infinitely more zealous than an aged dog.
While the enthusiasm to exercise
is a sign of good health in your dog, it can be
dangerous to push diseased and weak dogs too hard
on their work-outs.
Dog Breeds that
need Vigorous Exercise
Dog Breeds that
need High Exercise
Dog Breeds that
need Moderate Exercise
Dog Breeds that
need Low Exercise
Dog
Breeds that need Vigorous Exercise
Breeds like Irish Setters, Great
Danes, Border Collies etc., need vigorous exercises.
These breeds need brisk, long walks, preferably
twice a day. Running or playing freely in a large
sized fenced yard or keeping up with a speeding
bicycle is also enjoyable for them.
Because of their high energy levels,
these breeds are not fit for apartment life and
are prone to frustration and aggression if not exercised
well.
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Dog Breeds that need Vigorous
Exercise
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Dog
Breeds that need High Exercise
High exercises stretching from
60-90 minutes daily, including walks, playtime,
are necessary for Labrador Retrievers, Bloodhounds
etc. These breeds do okay in apartments but do best
with a good sized yard.
Regular exercise is a must, or
they are prone to boredom and agression.
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Dog Breeds that need High Exercise
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Dog
Breeds that need Moderate Exercise
Dogs with short legs, e.g. Chihuahuas
and Dachshunds, will burn enough energy by moderate
exercises—playing around the house or fenced
backyard/garden with their favorite toys or going
out for a walk once a day.
These breeds do well in an apartment
and not highly demanding regards a good sized backyard.
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Dog Breeds that need Moderate
Exercise
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Dog
Breeds that need Low Exercise
Toy and Companion dogs like Chinese
Crested, English Toy Spaniel etc. are bred to sit
around looking pretty. Their requirement for low
exercises can be satisfied by simply scampering
around the house, picking up new tricks or going
for short walks.
These breeds are perfect for apartment
living.
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Dog Breeds that need Low Exercise
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The best forms of exercise combine
a balanced workout of both mind and body. Any form
of strenuous exercise should be preceded by a warm-up
phase and followed by a cool-down period. For a
less fit dog, a longer warm up and shorter strenuous
exercise period may be appropriate.
For a dog not up to high levels
of activity, the mental and physical warm-up alone
may be ideal, with no strenuous exercise at all.
Often a good routine is to “pulse” the
exercise in short segments, alternating between
focused mental tasks and more strenuous physical
ones.
Walking is by far the most common
form of exercise. The length of the walk would vary
from breed to breed. When taking a dog out for a
run or a jog, it's advisable to avoid stone or concrete
paths. Grassy roads or parks are best suited for
this purpose as they would be easy on his paws.
Keeping the dog on an extendable leash would allow
it ample freedom and grant the owner suitable control
at the same time.
Letting a dog chase a bicycle or
a vehicle might be risky. Dogs love active games
like Frisbee, Fetch (with toys or balls), tug-of-war
and the like. It also provides a good opportunity
for the owner to bond with his dog. However, care
should be taken to see to it that the dog doesn't
jump too high and land in awkward positions and
injure himself.
Swimming is another great way for
a dog to burn calories and keep himself cool on
a sultry day. Climbing stairs is the quickest way
for a dog to lose weight and keep fit. One can also
take resort to the gym equipments specially designed
for dogs.
Along with exercising, it's equally
important for the dog to socialize and connect with
other dogs and people. In the process, the dog would
gradually pick up vital lessons on correct behavior
and obedience.
Owners should keep an eye on the
dog for signs of over-exertion, like excessive panting,
bleeding pads, vacant stares, pale lips or face.
“A Good Dog Is A Tired Dog”.
So if the dog exhibits no signs of exertion and/or
shows signs of pent-up energy when it returns from
its walks, it is not getting enough exercise. To
learn to rest calmly is as important for a dog as
exercise is.
Dogs are susceptible to heat exhaustion
and heat strokes. It's thus unwise to make a dog
over-exert itself on a hot day. And of course, it's
essential to keep a dog hydrated and supplement
his exercise with good quality dog food rich in
proteins and essential minerals.
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