Labrador Retriever Exercise: How Much Activity Labs Need

America loves Labradors. The friendly and active dogs are consistently a top choice on breed popularity lists. They typically get along well with humans and animals alike and love to please their owners. Labradors are working dogs at heart, but they can be prone to obesity. Whether you have a Lab or are thinking of getting one, read on to learn how much activity Labs need to be healthy and happy.

How Much Exercise a Labrador Needs

Labradors are usually social and fun-loving. They are part of the American Kennel Club Sporting Group, so this breed loves to be active and does well when given a job. Labradors are often seen doing everything from retrieving birds to acting as guide dogs. How much activity Labs need depends on the individual dog, but generally, they need a minimum of one hour of exercise a day, with two hours ideal for more energetic dogs.

How To Exercise a Labrador

Daily walks or hikes are a great way to keep your Labrador’s heart, lungs, and muscles in tip-top shape. Breaking up the walks into brisk half-hour sessions throughout the day may be more manageable than one long session, but it’s really whatever works best for you and your dog. And while walking is simple and easy to do, it’s fun for both dog and owner to supplement walks with other types of activities.

Fetch: Labradors have a history as duck retrievers, dating back as far as the 1800s. Their innate desire to retrieve makes them huge fans of games of fetch. Whether it’s with a tennis ball or another toy, most Labradors can play a game of fetch seemingly endlessly.

Swimming: Labradors are natural swimmers. They have a short, dense coat that helps to keep them warm when swimming in cold water. Additionally, Labs have a thick, tapering tail, known as an “otter tail”. It acts like a rudder and helps Labradors turn while swimming.

Dog Play: Because Labradors are so friendly and get along well with other dogs, doggy play dates or visits to the dog park are a fun activity for this breed.

Training Classes: Mental exercise is equally important to your Labrador’s overall health. Labradors are intelligent, even-tempered, and learn fast. This makes them popular as service dogs.  Because they are highly motivated by food, they are easy to train with treats. Teaching your Labrador tricks, whether independently or through a class, is a great way to supplement their physical exercise. 

How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Puppy Need?

Be cautious with exercising your puppy, as a growing dog’s bones and muscles are still developing. The general rule of thumb is five minutes of exercise per month of age, no more than two times a day. So if a puppy is three months old, they should get no more than 15 minutes of exercise at once, and so on. Continue this pattern until the puppy is a full-grown adult.

What Happens if a Labrador Doesn’t Get Enough Exercise?

Obesity: Some Labradors may be genetically prone to obesity. A percentage may be missing all or part of a gene that regulates appetite, according to one study. This gene, called POMC, helps the body sense how much fat is stored. If the dog is missing it, they don’t know when they are full, so they just keep eating. All the more reason to make sure your Labrador gets enough exercise, as there is no easy way to know for sure if your pet has this mutation.

Behavioral Problems: All dogs, regardless of breed, may act out in undesirable ways if they don’t get enough exercise. Some signs that your dog needs more exercise may include destructive behavior. Excessive barking, chewing, or even going to the bathroom in the house can all be signs to get your dog moving. Additionally, exercise can help with overexcited behaviors, like jumping. Whether it’s a walk, a game in the park, or some swimming time, movement is good for both you and your furry friend!