How Much Exercise Is Safe for Large Breed Puppies (2026)

Large breed puppies have a lot of energy and a lot of growing to do. The question owners ask most is how much exercise is enough, and how much is too much. Here is what the American Kennel Club, VCA Animal Hospitals and PetMD say, in plain terms.

What is the 5 minutes per month of age guideline?

Walk about 5 minutes for every month of age, once or twice a day.

The AKC attributes this guideline to veterinary researchers and describes it as a starting point, depending on walking speed and time available. It applies to walks. Free play is different, and most puppies stop when they are tired. Your vet can adjust the plan for your puppy's breed and build.

How long should walks be at each age?

Calculated from the guideline described by the AKC (Gewirtz, updated March 8, 2024). Once or twice a day.

What should you limit until your puppy matures?

Growth plates are areas of soft growing bone. VCA describes them as sensitive and open to injury from strenuous exercise, and the AKC says the soft plates on bones need time to harden. Both name these activities to hold off on or limit:

• Long jogs and long hikes, which VCA says to avoid until maturity
• Jumping hurdles and competitive agility, per VCA
• Repeated jumping, such as tossing a ball straight up or dock diving, per the AKC
• Running or jogging on hard surfaces such as sidewalks and blacktop, per the AKC
• Leashed running, because a tethered puppy cannot stop when tired, per the AKC

Should you limit free play?

VCA says puppies should be allowed to run and play as they want, and the AKC says to let puppies set their own pace and rest when tired. Walks, play and leash training are all encouraged. Short training sessions and puzzle toys can tire a puppy mentally without adding load on the joints.

When can a large breed puppy start running?

The AKC suggests waiting until about 12 to 18 months for large breeds and 18 to 24 months for giant breeds.

VCA says giant breeds may need to wait closer to a year and a half before long jogs, hikes, hurdles or agility. PetMD says large breeds (59 to 99 pounds) reach full size at about 15 to 18 months and giant breeds (over 100 pounds) at 18 to 24 months, and that the best way to tell when a dog is fully grown is to check the growth plates with an X-ray. Your vet can tell you when your puppy is ready, and building up gradually is sensible when you start.

What signs mean you should slow down?

For more on growing bones, see our guides on growth plates in puppies and panosteitis and growing pains.

What daily support is made for large breed puppies?

Pawganix MoveGuard Growth is a chicken-liver flavored soft chew for large and giant breed puppies, dosed by your puppy's expected adult weight. The label lists New Zealand green-lipped mussel, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, Antarctic krill oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E and manganese. It lists shellfish, krill, fish and soy as allergens. It is made in the USA and vet reviewed by Dr. Gaby Thompson, DVM. Check the label for your puppy's expected adult weight.