Saint Bernards have a ginormous appearance. And that’s what makes you think about how much should a St Bernard puppy walk.
Since this breed isn’t much active and loves staying still, they need moderate exercise to stay fit.
An hour of exercise can keep an adult Saint Bernard fit and healthy. However, a puppy needs relatively fewer workouts. Plus, you need to be careful and not allow them to jump or run up and down.
Let’s explore how much exercise does a Saint Bernard puppy need and more about how to do that right.
The Working History of the Saint Bernard Breed
Although St Bernards don’t need massive exercise, they have an interesting history.
They are known to have been originally bred by Monks in the 1600s in the Swiss Alps. Their job there was to serve the lost travelers as search and rescue dogs. Those cold environments justify why they have fur coats.
Besides, the breed has been used for pulling sleds and as guard dogs. Yeah! That could be surprising to know.
Now, let’s discuss how to ensure sufficient exercise for this breed of big dogs.
How Much Should a St Bernard Puppy Walk?
Despite moderate needs, you should take your Saint Bernard for a walk every day. For an adult, 30-60 minutes of daily walk is ideal when done at a steady pace.
But don’t do that all at once.
Divide this 1-hour walk into 20-minute walks thrice a day. Plus, add some short runs to keep their heart rate good. Daily walking will ensure the dog doesn’t become restless and disobedient.
And the answer would be different if you ask how much should a St Bernard puppy walk. For small ones, you shouldn’t start that 1-hour exercise routine directly. Instead, plan a gradual build-up.
For a fully vaccinated, 4-month puppy, 20 minutes of walking is sufficient twice a day. When they turn a year old, you can increase the frequency from two to three or four a day.
Make sure they don’t jump or run as this can exert strain on their developing bones and joints. Moreover, adults are also susceptible to arthritis and orthopedic problems and shouldn’t be allowed to jump or run.
Although they look grown, St Bernards are still considered pups at 1-year-old. They attain complete social physical and maturity by the age of 2.5 years.
Plus, warm weathers are not good for these dogs and they can get heatstroke easily. So, you should plan walks during the coolest times of the year. And shorten the time during hotter days when they love to sleep more.
Do St Bernards Like to Walk?
The breed doesn’t belong to the pack that loves walking. You won’t find Saint Bernards very energetic or playful. At times, you might face difficulties making them get up and step out for a walk.
In short, St Bernard is a breed of lazy dog. So, you would need to find activities that force their participation like tug-of-war and similar games.
Moreover, these dogs aren’t suitable companions for cycling or jogging.
Since Saint Bernards were bred in cold climates, they get more stubborn when it’s hot outside. Thus, you should plan their walks and games during the coolest times.
St Bernards are more energetic in cold temperatures and they love to play in the snow.
How Much Exercise Does a Saint Bernard Puppy Need?
St Bernards love carting, weight pulling, and similar activities that put their natural strength to use. So, you can add roaming, walking, and certain games to keep them active.
According to PSDA UK, a St Bernard needs a minimum of an hour’s exercise daily to be healthy and fit.
For this, you can combine a mix of long and short walks, brain games, and more playtime. Also, add some good off-lead time within a secured area to keep them active. Some dogs can do more exercise than others.
But if yours is suffering from a joint problem or anything else, you should take proper advice from a vet.
What Exercises and Activities do St Bernards Love?
Dogs love visiting dog parks where they meet other companions and love to run and play. For a Saint Bernard, you have the following options:
- Short hikes in a cold and mountainous region are perfect for this breed.
- You can take your dog to a nearby dog club to encourage activities.
- Indulge your dog in sports that aren’t based on endurance. These will give mental stimulation to the pet.
- Swimming is another wonderful exercise this breed loves to do.
- They love chasing the red dot-like cats. So, you can use a laser pointer to play with your dog in a room.
However, avoid activities that will make them jump, hard landings, and repeated movements, especially puppies. This will stress their joints.
Final Thoughts on How Much Should a St Bernard Walk
Saint Bernard are gigantic dogs. But their size doesn’t determine their exercise needs. Instead, they need moderate walks and playtime to stay fit.
While adults need an hour of walks or playtime, that’s not how much should a St Bernard puppy walk. Instead, you should gradually put them into the habit of walking and playing as they grow from puppies into adults.
FAQs
Are Saint Bernard Puppies Lazy?
These dogs belong to a breed that’s lazy by nature. Their easygoing and steadfast temperament makes them prefer laying around and sleeping.
Still, they don’t have high exercise requirements like some other breeds. But that doesn’t mean you let keep them lie around or sleep all day.
How Far Can a St Bernard Walk?
They have thick coats that lead to overheating easily. A St Bernard can hike for around 3-4 miles. Known as working dogs, they would love carrying supplies along the hike in a dog backpack.
Do St Bernard Dogs Sleep a Lot?
As already stated, this breed is of lazy dogs. Hence, they like to sleep a lot. And when not sleeping, they love lying around the house.
And since they have moderate exercise requirements to stay fit, St Bernards require higher maintenance than others, particularly for drooling, grooming, and maintaining their body temperature.