Exercise and play

When can puppies start going on long walks?

Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this

Short answer

Most dogs can handle genuinely long walks, an hour or more, once their growth plates close, which is roughly 9 to 12 months for small breeds and 12 to 18 months or later for large and giant breeds. Before that, keep structured walks short and let free play and short hikes make up the difference.

Small breeds mature faster

A small breed like a papillon or dachshund often finishes major growth by 9 to 10 months and can gradually work up to longer walks from there, though heavy bodied small breeds with long spines still benefit from caution around jumping and stairs.

Large and giant breeds need patience

A great dane or mastiff may not fully close growth plates until 18 to 24 months. Introducing hour long hikes before then, especially on hard or hilly terrain, raises the risk of joint strain that can show up years later.

How to build up safely

Once a puppy is cleared for longer activity, increase walk length by about 10 percent every week or two rather than jumping straight to adult distances, and watch the next morning for stiffness before adding more.

Key takeaways

Small breeds are usually ready for longer walks around 9 to 10 months.
Large and giant breeds may need to wait until 18 months or beyond.
Increase walk length gradually, around 10 percent at a time, once cleared to build distance.