How much exercise do dogs need?

Apologies for the odd question, but I am trying to persuade an elderly relative of mine not to get a dog.

He (the relative) is only able to walk a maximum of 500 yards (slowly) and I think that even small dogs need something more energetic than that every day. He has a garden, so the dog could run round in that I suppose. Is it enough? How many brisk/long walks per day/week do small dogs actually need? He could employ a dog walker, but it's expensive, and he says the reason he wants to get a dog is 'for the exercise, and for company'. The last dog he had (a Westie) got fat and unfit, cost him a fortune in vets' bills and eventually succumbed to kidney problems. (Not sure if lack of exercise and poor health were connected?). At the time he vowed never to get another dog as it was 'too much work'.

If anyone who knows anything about dogs and their needs could give me some accurate information, I'd be glad. I think a cat would still be good company, but much less work and much less expensive! He likes cats, too, butt seems hell bent on getting a dog.

Advice appreciated.

A small dog, a Chihuahua or even a cat

Apologies for the odd question, but I am trying to persuade an elderly relative of mine not to get a dog.

 

He (the relative) is only able to walk a maximum of 500 yards (slowly) and I think that even small dogs need something more energetic than that every day. He has a garden, so the dog could run round in that I suppose. Is it enough? How many brisk/long walks per day/week do small dogs actually need? He could employ a dog walker, but it's expensive, and he says the reason he wants to get a dog is 'for the exercise, and for company'. The last dog he had (a Westie) got fat and unfit, cost him a fortune in vets' bills and eventually succumbed to kidney problems. (Not sure if lack of exercise and poor health were connected?). At the time he vowed never to get another dog as it was 'too much work'.

 

If anyone who knows anything about dogs and their needs could give me some accurate information, I'd be glad. I think a cat would still be good company, but much less work and much less expensive! He likes cats, too, butt seems hell bent on getting a dog.

 

Advice appreciated.

A small dog like a Yorkie should be fine, of course the wrong diet any dog will get fat but given the correct food and free to roam garden he should have everything needed with some short walks thrown in.

Why are you trying to discourage him? Heres an idea why not actually offer to help out if your capable?

Regardless of the size of the dog they NEED exercise, and 500 yards a day is not enough for any size or breed of dog!!

Dogs need to go outside, able to sniff, meet other dogs to socialise, obviously they need toilet breaks and they just need to be a dog.

I understand him wanting the companionship of a dog but it would be selfish of him to get one for his needs but not be able to fulfil the dogs needs!

Does he have any friends that have dogs that he could maybe have spend some time with him but the dog actually belong to someone who can give them plenty of exercise and tend to all of their other needs???

Regardless of the size of the dog they NEED exercise, and 500 yards a day is not enough for any size or breed of dog!!

 

Dogs need to go outside, able to sniff, meet other dogs to socialise, obviously they need toilet breaks and they just need to be a dog.

 

I understand him wanting the companionship of a dog but it would be selfish of him to get one for his needs but not be able to fulfil the dogs needs!

 

Does he have any friends that have dogs that he could maybe have spend some time with him but the dog actually belong to someone who can give them plenty of exercise and tend to all of their other needs???

He might do well to consider a small older dog

It really does depend on the breed.

http://dogtime.com/quiz/dog-breed-selector

I think a dog could bring much joy to him and the suggestion of an older dog would be best - plus puppies take an awful lot of training, for toileting and obedience.

A tiny dog would be best like a pomeranian or chihuahua, but like has been said, all dogs need some exercise as they like to sniff around etc. Dogs can get quite stressed if they don't get to go outside.

I often pass an elderly gentleman who has a tibetan terrier and he spends a lot of time sat on a bench at the top of a hilly green throwing a ball with a ball launcher for his dog, and the dog has to run uphill to bring it back to him - loads of exercise for the dog and very little effort for the elderly man, who is very chatty and always says hello to everyone who passes so he gets as much socialisation as the dog.

Just food for thought

If walks were just about exercise you could just buy a treadmill.

Walks are SO much more than that. They provide mental stimulation, training and socialisation opportunities. It's the time you dog gets to really be a dog.

Just letting your dog in the garden is no substitute, they need to get out into the world no matter what breed or size.

Most dogs need far more exercise than most people give them as well.

IMO he'd be better getting a nice cat?

Every dog needs a good walk, regardless of breed.

As others have already said, he mighty be better off looking into adopting an elderly dog that isn't able to walk far anymore and will be happy to walk at his pace.

Getting a young dog of any breed just wouldn't be fair.

I also think that all dogs need a walk...but I think that there are dogs that could suit him if he had support from relatives and was prepared to pay for a walker for some days in the week.

A puppy or young dog would be a definite no no in my opinion, but there are many older dogs and dogs that for different reasons can't walk for a long way or really are not bothered, with such a dog a short walk with owner a few times a day and a half hour with a dog walker every other day for a faster walk and change of scenery might be enough to keep many dogs happy.

I think that he should approach a few rescues and ask to be considered for a dog that would fit in with his lifestyle, if its well thought out I think that he will be set up sooner or later.

Many thanks to everyone who's contributed. Unfortunately I live too far away (60 miles) to help with walking a dog for him on a regular basis. My motivation for trying to persuade him to get a cat rather than a dog is more from an animal welfare perspective, really. I think it's cruel to get a dog and not exercise it enough. An old one might be worth considering, I suppose.

The other problem is that he has only just started going out and socialising himself, after the last dog died. When it was alive he was forever using it as an excuse to go home after an hour or so - 'the dog will be missing me' etc, even when the dog would have been absolutely fine by itself for a few hours. His family fear that another dog will just make him less sociable. Perhaps he likes aniumals more than humans, I don't know.

Many thanks to everyone who's contributed. Unfortunately I live too far away (60 miles) to help with walking a dog for him on a regular basis. My motivation for trying to persuade him to get a cat rather than a dog is more from an animal welfare perspective, really. I think it's cruel to get a dog and not exercise it enough. An old one might be worth considering, I suppose.

 

The other problem is that he has only just started going out and socialising himself, after the last dog died. When it was alive he was forever using it as an excuse to go home after an hour or so - 'the dog will be missing me' etc, even when the dog would have been absolutely fine by itself for a few hours. His family fear that another dog will just make him less sociable. Perhaps he likes aniumals more than humans, I don't know.

Aww, I suppose its easy to get very mutually reliant on an animal when its the main source of company, a cat is good particularly a house cat of oriental type or a Rag doll, they are extremely people oriented and very intelligent, again he could probably do with one a bit older as they can live up to 20 years.