How Far Can a Poodle Walk?

Exercise is an integral part of keeping your dog healthy and extending its lifespan. Poodles are an especially energetic breed of dog, and they will significantly benefit from having a rigorous and consistent exercise routine.

But how far can a Poodle walk? What distance is safe for a Poodle to walk?

Size sometimes matters when it comes to walking distance. A standard Poodle can comfortably walk up to an hour daily (and some much more). This can comfortably cover 3-4 miles (5-7 kilometres).

Teacup and Toy Poodles need as little walking like 20 minutes per day, but 30-40 minutes is a comfortable routine.

However, it’s always relevant to remember not to push your dog past its limits. Depending on a dog’s age, breed, and size, the upper limit can vary on how far a distance they can walk before becoming too exhausted.

Read on for our guide on how far can a Poodle can walk and how to help your dog have a healthy exercise routine. 

Should I Limit My Poodle’s Exercise?

When setting up an exercise routine for your Poodle, you should keep in mind that it is unhealthy for your poodle to become overexerted.

Poodles need regular, daily exercise to stay healthy, but overdoing it will have negative effects and could be dangerous. Putting too much strain on a Poodle’s heart can be very risky, and just like a human, they need to have periods of rest so that their heart rate doesn’t go up too high.

Over-exercising your poodle could also put them at risk for dehydration or heat exhaustion, so if it seems like your dog needs a break, listen to them and slow down for a bit. 

Poodle Exercise Needs By Age

The appropriate amount of exercise a poodle needs will vary based on their age. For puppies, will need exercise as an outlet for all of that energy, but will also need plenty of rest so that their bones and joints will develop properly. A basic rule is to add 5 minutes to your poodle’s daily walking time for every month of their age. 

Once a Poodle reaches adulthood, they should probably be getting about an hour of exercise each day, split into two or three sessions. Taking a 20-minute walk at least once per day should help your Poodle stay in good shape and maintain a positive mood.

For senior Poodles, they will still need to go for walks, but be mindful of their limits. Regular light exercise will help maintain a senior dog’s mood and can help alleviate certain health issues. 

How Far are Poodles Able to Walk?

With those basic exercise requirements in mind, you may be wondering how far a poodle can walk in terms of distance. The maximum distance that a poodle can walk depends significantly on the variety of poodles. For instance, a standard Poodle can handle a much farther distance than a toy or miniature Poodle, since their legs are notably longer.

Based on the typical endurance of a healthy dog, most poodles can go for about a half-mile to a three-mile walk in one exercise session. Smaller breeds like a toy and miniature Poodles can only do walking sessions of about 20 to 40 minutes at a time, which based on a normal walking pace for their size works out to about a mile at most. 

However, a standard Poodle can walk for an hour-long session if properly paced, which could end up being a walking distance as long as three miles. 

How to Bring a Poodle on a Long Walk Safely

If you are planning on taking a poodle for a longer walk, you will need to take certain safety measures to ensure that they are having a healthy and enjoyable workout. 

In terms of safety, it is essential to bring the right supplies and to plan out the walk ahead of time to anticipate your Poodle’s potential needs. This can include giving your dog extra rest ahead of time, planning out probable resting points, and bringing along plenty of water and snacks. In addition, monitoring the weather and being aware of the environmental conditions of the walk will also be helpful. 

Keep Them Hydrated

Be sure to bring along a portable drinking dish and plenty of water. Hydration is one of the most critical elements of staying healthy while exercising, and that goes for both humans and our furry friends.

As your poodle may be pushing the limit of the distance they’re able to walk in one session, they will need plenty of fluids to rehydrate. Staying hydrated will replace the fluids they have lost from sweating and panting. Water is also necessary for your Poodle to keep their joints lubricated. 

Increase Distance Slowly

Similar to humans, you may need to help your poodle gradually work its way up to walking a longer distance. Randomly taking your dog on an extra-long walk may be too sudden, and they won’t have the endurance for the entire workout.

Instead, try slowly increasing the length of your walks and see how your poodle does. Slowly increasing the walking distance will also help you as an owner to gauge how much hydration and rest your dog might need if you do eventually take them on a long-distance walk.

Treats

If you think you’ll need a power bar or two to get through a long walk, odds are your poodle will need some snacks too. Depending on how much you plan on pushing your dog’s endurance level, you may want to bring some of their food along so they can get a few extra calories in.

Having treats on hand can also help maintain your dog’s mood throughout the walk, encouraging them to have good manners and a positive attitude during your workout. 

Routine 

Like all exercise regimens for a dog, a routine is essential. Your dog will be far more likely to have the energy, enthusiasm, and endurance for a long and challenging walk if they can anticipate it.

Try to make your long walks happen around the same time of the day so your dog can become accustomed to them. Poodles have plenty of energy and love social time with their owner, so they will surely begin to look forward to your long workouts together. 

Protective Wear

You will want your pup to be comfortable and safe when you take them out for a lengthy walk. This means you will need to consider the weather and terrain of your walking environment.

If it’s cold or wet, your poodle may need a jacket or sweater to keep them warm while they are outside for an extra-long period. In an area where there is ice or snow, protect your dog’s paws by putting on dog booties. 

Take Time to Rest

Aside from hydration (Texas A+M Vet School says it is vitally important), getting enough rest is probably the most essential safety measure for having a healthy long-distance walk. Make sure your poodle is well-rested before going on a long walk and hasn’t just been engaging in some strenuous exercise.

You should also be sure to give your pup plenty of rest and recovery time after the walk is over. They’ve pushed their bodies, and they will need extra rest to allow their lungs, heart, and joints to recover. By giving your poodle proper pre and post rest time, they should be able to go on reasonably long walks with you regularly. 

Summary

For poodles, exercise needs can vary depending on the variety of breeds and the dog’s age. But no matter what, having a healthy balance between exercise and rest will be essential to keeping your pup physically and emotionally healthy.