A vet has issued an urgent message to dog owners in England over THREE breeds which need little exercise. Leading veterinarian Dr Kirsten Ronngren, DVM MRCVS, shared the best dog breeds for people who might have mobility issues.
Vet Dr Kirsten Ronngren, working with ManyPets pet insurance, said: “Exercise is an essential aspect to consider when it comes to the well being of our pets. However, not all pets have the same requirements for activity to keep them healthy.”
Dr Ronngren added: “Generally speaking, there are breeds that tend to have higher or lower needs for exercise during the day to promote physical health and mental stimulation.” Smaller breeds, such as chihuahuas, terriers, or dachshunds typically require the least amount of daily exercise.
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They are, however, most suited “for 30 minutes of walking each day”. Dr Ronngren added: “This could be two short steady 15 minute strolls down the lane.” There’s always “a degree of variation” of what each dog needs, regardless of their breed.
“Taking breed into account when determining what type of dog would suit the amount of activity you can provide is important, but we also have to remember it’s very dog dependent too,” Dr Ronngren said. “I encourage clients to remember that even if their mobility is limited, there are lots of ways they can still provide activity for their dog.”
Dr Ronngren told the Express: “Short walks, playing fetch, scent work games, and agility training classes are all excellent opportunities for owners to facilitate this.” The pet expert also said: “Again, it’s important to remember that this 30 minutes is just a starting point.
“Picking the right amount and type of activity should be based on your dog’s age, breed, general health status, any diseases that are present, what the owner is capable of following through with, and the dog’s individual personality type.”