Dogs are part of our family; we want to keep them healthy and happy. Remember, a healthy dog is a happy dog. You take care of a dog as you take care of a child. It requires a lot of hard work. When I decided to buy my first german shepherd (Jack), I spoke to my friends about it. All my friends who were german shepherd owners were wary about it. They told me that german shepherds need a lot of maintenance. And one crucial part of their maintenance is exercising. They said that german shepherds are among the active dog breeds and need to exercise a lot.
Knowing my inactive lifestyle, they warned me against buying a german shepherd. One of my friends stressed the importance of exercise for gsds and said,
“Buy an alternative dog breed if you don’t have time for exercising your german shepherd.”
Still, I stuck to my decision and brought Jack home. But I managed to follow his exercising routine all out. Today, Jack is three years old, and I can say that he has made me a healthier person.
Why Do German Shepherds Need To Exercise?
Let’s take help from history
You can always refer to history when you want to know someone better. Be it a criminal or a patient, history is important. We will dig a little deeper into the german shepherd’s origins to understand them better.
German shepherds were born in Germany in the late 1800s. Breeders in Germany bred local shepherd dogs to create German Shepherds. The shepherds used to create them were the most intelligent, obedient, and responsive. Gsds were not created as home pets rather for serving humans. Over time, their role in our lives has evolved, but at that time, they did a lot of arduous and important tasks.
A german shepherd was a sheep herding dog due to its intelligence and strength. They also protected flocks. We have also seen them working in the police and military more recently. Gsds also excel in rescue operations, personal protection, and service.
From their origin, we have established that german shepherds are active dogs. They were originally bred as herding dogs, so they have a lot of energy to spend. They thrive when they are working. When you keep them as pets, you have to ensure that they get enough ways to exert the ample amount of energy they have.
Along with being active, they are also intelligent. So, shepherds also need mental stimulation to be healthy. They need mind activities in which they can use their mental energy.
So, they need mental and physical exercises.
How Much Exercise Does a German Shepherd Need? Get The right answers.
According to the American Kennel Club, your german shepherd needs 2 hours of exercise per day. Some vets recommend 1 hour of daily exercise also. So, the average would be between 1-2 hours for a healthy adult german shepherd.
Your german shepherds need to exert all the pent-up energy. So, depending on their age, health, and other factors, you can manage their exercise time.
How much exercise does a german shepherd need a day depends on the following factors:
Age
A grown-up german shepherd needs more exercise than a puppy or an old gsd.
Health
Your german shepherd’s health is also a deciding factor of their exercise needs. They can have joint pain or weight issues. In such a case, it’s best to have a specialized exercise routine from your vet. Go for low-impact exercises for gsds who have any physical impairment. Or those who have special medical conditions.
Temperament
More hyper german shepherds will need more exertion. They need to spend their pent-up energy to control their hyperactivity.
Energy level
Different german shepherds can have different energy levels. Your german shepherd might have low stamina. If they get tired in a short time, then they need less exertion.
So, a german shepherd exercise routine should be between 1 to 2 hours per day. The intensity could differ for different dogs. It’s better to complete the time with a combination of various activities. These activities should be physical and mental. Also, spread it all over the day.
There are apps available that can tailor an exercise goal for your Gsd. It is always better to consult a vet to know how much exercise your dog needs.
Note that with german shepherds, no exercise is not an option. Sometimes you might feel that even after a full exercise regime, your Gsd is still hyper. Don’t get demotivated because that is still better than no exercise. If you cannot do it yourself, you can hire a dog walker.
Benefits of Exercise For a German Shepherd
- Fulfill their need to be active
- Your Gsd gets in great shape.
- Mind stimulation
- Stays happy and healthy
- Avoids boredom
- Strengthens muscles and reduce injury
- Prevents destructive behavior
What if a German Shepherd Does Not Get Enough Exercise?
If a german shepherd doesn’t get enough exercise, they will show destructive behaviors. They are also prone to anxiety and escape attempts.
Signs that show your german shepherd is not getting enough exercise:
- Chewing
- Digging
- Excessive Barking
- Jumping
- Weight issues
- Hyper activeness
If you notice your Gsd showing these signs, increase the intensity of their exercise.
How Much Exercise Does a German Shepherd Puppy Need
German shepherd puppies need less exercise than an adult gsd. Too much of it is not good for them as their bones are developing. Over-exercising your puppy can lead to joint problems later in life. They may also suffer from hip dysplasia.
A baby german shepherd needs 5 minutes of exercise every month of their age, twice a day. So, a four-month-old gsd puppy will need 20-40 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Also, for young puppies, stick to low-intensity activities. For example, take them for a walk. Walking is not only good for physical health. It will also allow them to explore, socialize and learn new behaviors.
Also, playing can be a good way of physical activity. Take them to a dog park. They can also play with other puppies. This way, you can make their exertion time more fun.
| Time duration | Age |
| 5–10 minutes | 1 months |
| 10-20 minutes | 2 months |
| 15-30 minutes | 3 months |
| 20-40 minutes | 4 months |
How Much Exercise Does an Old German Shepherd Dog Need?
As humans grow older, they need some form of movement to keep healthy. Similar is the case with german shepherds. As they grow old, they do not need as much exertion as younger Gsd. But still, movement is important for them.
How to Know If Your German Shepherd Is Over-Exercised?
Your german shepherd dog has enough energy to go on for the whole day, yet they can get over-exercised. Know that the german shepherd is over-exerting if you observe the following symptoms.
- Excessive panting
- Extreme thirst
- Low energy levels
- Breathing problem
- Drooling
- Sleeping more than normal
- Reluctance for exertion
Types of Exercises For Your German Shepherd
In most cases, you will not be able to keep up with your german shepherd. They have the energy to run for the whole day. It all comes down to how long you can go. It’s better that you choose exercises that tire them faster.
Below is the list of some low and high-intensity exercises. You can choose according to your German shepherd’s needs.
Walking
Walking is an important form of exercise for your german shepherd. It is good for german shepherds of all ages, but the intensity differs. For a healthy adult german shepherd, 35-40 minutes of walking is mandatory every day. If you want to increase the intensity of this exercise, put a weighted vest or a backpack on your dog’s back. It should not weigh more than 10 percent of your dog’s body weight.
Or you may walk them with other dogs. It will wear them out quicker when they start playing. You might also enjoy the company of other dog owners. You can also walk on an uphill path to make the exertion faster.
Apart from exertion, there are other benefits that walking offers. Your dog will get fresh air and will explore the outdoors. They will also socialize and learn new behaviors.
If you think you can’t keep up with your german shepherd, leave them off the leash walking in a dog park.
Running
Your german shepherd can be a great running companion. We know that German shepherds have a large amount of energy to run long distances. Start slow with the process and add mileage overtime to prevent injury. Also, it’s best to consult your vet before to know whether your Gsd is healthy enough to run.
You need to take care of some things when you take your german shepherd running.
- Don’t run in extreme heat.
- Give your Gsd ample water.
- Pre and post-warm-ups are important
- Run-on soft surfaces.
- Use dog boots for feet protection.
Play Fetch
Play fetch is one activity that german shepherds enjoy a lot. It is good in many ways. It’s a quicker way of exertion. It also develops an attitude of response in your dog. And it helps you build your relationship with them.
Moreover, it develops hand-eye coordination. You can use a ball, a bone, or chew toys as fetching objects. Play fetch with your Gsd in a small area if you want a low-impact exercise for them. And on a bigger ground if you want a medium impact workout. You can also use automatic ball launchers to throw the ball far away and increase exertion.
Swimming
Many German shepherds are keen swimmers. Swimming wears out your Gsd faster as they will paddle a lot to stay afloat on the water. It is also beneficial because it uses all the muscle groups. If your Gsd loves swimming, then exercise time can be fun.
But if your dog hesitates to swim, then first make them comfortable. For that, start with a slow process. Put your dog’s feet in the pool to introduce them to water. Or you can throw their favorite toy or a stick in the pool to entice them.
Agility
German shepherds are an intelligent breed. They thrive when challenged. Agility is a perfect exercise for them as they have to pass through the obstacles. They get excited while playing this sport. The variety of obstacles also prevents them from getting bored.
Start by contacting the nearby agility club. Once your dog gets familiar with agility basics, you can build a dog agility course in your backyard.
Hiking
Hiking is a quick exertion and fun exercise for your Gsd. It’s great for physical training. Also, you can have a fun time with your german shepherd away from the crowds. Yet, you need to take certain precautions before taking your german shepherd for a hike. First of all, build their endurance. You can do this by taking your dog on long-distance walking. It is also possible by increasing their exercise intensity. Consistency is also something that helps. Build their stamina by taking them for a hike every week.
The other precaution would be to put them on a leash and attach it to your backpack.
Also, inform your vet before going on this adventure. They can vaccinate your dog from all the potential diseases he might get in the wilds.
Frisbee Toss
It is a great sport for your shepherd because it burns a lot of energy. When you throw a frisbee at your german shepherd, they will run fast to chase and catch it with their mouth. Then they will throw it back at you. This sport needs more coordination and timing than chasing and catching a ball.
It will be a thrilling experience for a gsd, as it involves both body and mind. Start practicing frisbee toss with your german shepherd by rolling it on the floor. Your Gsd will instinctively grab it with their mouth. Once they start doing that, throw it at a low level in the air. After some practice, increase the level.
Moving toys
Moving toys can help to keep your German shepherd busy. It will also wear your Gsd out when they try to catch the toy. It does not fulfill the exertion needs of your Gsd yet can be a part of their daily regime. You need to supervise your german shepherd, so he doesn’t destroy these toys.
Stair Exercise
This exercise is a good energy burner. The good part is that you can do it in the comfort of your own home. Entice your shepherd to run up the stairs by throwing their favorite ball up there. Train them to slow their pace when they come down to avoid injury. Besides exertion, this exercise strengthens the rear legs.
Jolly Ball
German shepherds play jolly ball by pushing and chasing it. It works for them because these balls are indestructible.
Tug Of War
Tug of war is a good energy burner for germans shepherds. They have to use extra energy to pull back the rope. It is also a great activity for building muscles and strength.
Provide a Digging Area
German shepherds love to dig. It would be amazing to provide a digging area or pit for them. It will help to exert their pent-up energy and also keep them occupied.
It would be even better to create a dog yard for your Gsd. In that yard, you can make an area dedicated to your dog’s digging. Use bricks or wood to create an outline and fill it with sand or loose dirt. In this way, your dog will know that they can dig there. It will also help to prevent the rest of the yard from digging.
German shepherd Exercises for mental stimulation
Puzzle toys
Puzzle toys are best for german shepherds because they challenge your Gsd’s mind. Dog puzzle toys have treats inside that lure the dog into solving them. German shepherds are intelligent dogs; make sure to get them a challenging one. If you get them a puzzle toy that is not challenging enough, they will solve it with ease. It might not wear them out and can also cause boredom.
Chew toys
Chewing toys help to keep your German shepherd occupied. It is a good mental exercise as it keeps them entertained and prevents boredom. Chewing also releases endorphins that help to relax your dog. Make sure that these toys are sturdy because german shepherds bite hard.
Obedience Training
Obedience training is a great form of mental exercise for german shepherds. They spend their mental energy figuring out what you want them to do. Besides, they enrich their minds by learning a new skill in the process. Also, they learn to listen to the directions that will help them develop a relationship with you. They also learn new behaviors. For example, to stop barking when around a stranger.
Tracking Training
It is a good mental stimulation activity for your german shepherd. It also sharpens their sense of smell.
Food Enrichment
You can make the mealtime of your german shepherd into a mental stimulation activity. Use this simple trick. Instead of serving them food in a bowl, give them tasks to work for their food. You can also use food puzzle toys for this purpose.
Important Exercising Tips
Always Consult The Vet.
It is best to take professional advice when exercising your gsd dog. You need to check if your pet is normal and can do exercise. Also, know what exercises are good for them. You can do this by noticing their responses to certain activities. And have a vet-approved exercise regime for your Gsd. Also, take their advice before starting a new exercise for your dog.
Stick to a Routine
Like most dogs, german shepherds do better when they follow a routine. So, try to give your Gsd the same amount of exertion every day and at similar timings.
Spread it Through the Day
You don’t have to make them spend all their energy at one time. Divide the activities throughout the day.
EndNote
German shepherds are active and intelligent dogs. Most German shepherds need 1-2 hours of exercise per day to stay happy and healthy. Yet, many factors can affect the duration and intensity of their exercise. These factors are age, health, temperament, and energy levels. Their daily exercise regime should be a mix of physical and mental activities.
FAQS
How far should a German Shepherd be walked?
Most German shepherds need 1- 2 hours of exercise every day.
Walking is an important form of exercise for a german shepherd. So 35-40 minutes of walk per day is necessary for a healthy adult german shepherd.
Do German Shepherds require a lot of exercise?
German shepherds need a lot of activity to burn out their ample energy. The American Kennel Club recommends two hours of exercise per day for a german shepherd. Their exercise routine should include a variety of physical and mental activities. Walks, running, playtime and training are some of those.
What is the best exercise for a German shepherd?
There are a lot of exercises that are good for a german shepherd. Below is the list of some of them:
- Walking
- Running
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Frisbee toss,
- Agility,
- Play fetch,
- Tug of war,
- Finding objects
How much physical activity do German Shepherds need?
German shepherds need 1-2 hours of exercise per day. It should include a mix of both physical and mental activities
