Hi-Is it true that certain pupoy breeds can only have 5 minutes of exercise daily each month building up to the time when they are a year old?
My standard wire haired dachshund puppy can go out from this weekend he will be 3 months old and I am not sure whether I should give him 5 minutes a day or several walks a day of 5 minutes and does this include playtime?
Also I know that a large breed dog should not be walked for 2 hours after eating but what is the time scale for a small breed dog or is it the same? Thanks

The larger breeds in particular should have walks limited to 5 minutes per month of age until they're about a year old; they can have more than one walk a day. At three months old a pup's walks would be 15 minutes long (5 minutes times 3 months), and this doesn't include playtime in the house and garden. Hope this helps!

We are lucky enough to have great walks on the doorstep which makes life so easy with a young pup. I used to walk to a field, about two minutes, and let her off the lead so she could explore and sniff at her own pace whilst I walked slowly about the field. Sometimes I would just do an onlead walk along the lane to teach lead walking and to get used to cars and people. I kept those to the 5minutes per month rule, but was less exact about the wandering around the field walk as she could stop and start at her own pace and energy.

Thank you Jodie and Jeangenie that makes sense would you happen to know how long to wait after a meal until exercise/walking him pls?

About an hour.

I usually walk before a meal, because they always come back as it's food time lol.

I have a small breed and pretty much went by that rule, although at about 8 month I met someone that said they rarely walk their pup until it reaches one - and they show. It worked out fine for them in terms of fitness. So after that I went to walking a few times a week - although we have a big garden and a few games of fetch were enough.

Someone with show Dachs once told a friend of mine that they shouldnt be walking their dog at all below a year old... something to do with the idea that it makes their legs grow too long?! Dont know if there is any truth to that though!

Good idea to walk before a meal, I will do 15 mins and lots of off lead field walking the good thing is if he gets tired I can pick him up and carry him!!!!

> they rarely walk their pup until it reaches one

> shouldnt be walking their dog at all below a year old

I have a gundog breed that benefits from careful exposure to a lot of different experiences.  I would probably say that I do not walk my pups purely for exercise until they are at least 9 months old.  We do a lot of planned outings to experience a variety of sights, sounds, smells etc but don't walk for walking's sake like I do with older dogs.  There are some good online socialisation lists to help you tick off these type of experiences and I have developed my own based around the types of life my dogs have.  We live in a very rural area so as well as visiting livestock, ignoring the chickens, and watching tractors we have to go on town trips to acclimatise them to traffic and lots of people.  Also, every rainy day was spent in the lane playing in puddles with the ducks as I need a water confident dog in Somerset

Training is more tiring than walking for puppies and is very good for them.  Remember that distance isn't necessary and duration should be controlled.  I wouldn't do 'lots' of off lead field walking either with your breed but please do take breed specific advice on that.  Are you getting good support from your breeder?  Diet and exercise are two very important areas for a breeder to discuss with their puppy owners and you should be able to go back for advice whenever you need it.  If for any reason your breeder can't help then try and make contacts through your breed club.  Even if you aren't intending to show your pup you can always pop along to a breed show or championship show to talk to other owners and breeders if you need extra support.

>Training is more tiring than walking for puppies and is very good for them.  Remember that distance isn't necessary and duration should be controlled.  I wouldn't do 'lots' of off lead field walking either with your breed but please do take breed specific advice on that. 

Even if you aren't intending to show your pup you can always pop along to a breed show or championship show to talk to other owners and breeders if you need extra support.

Like your post a lot dogs a babe & agree, particularly with the first quote above. This is the same advise I give for my longer legged hound breed, one doesn't need to run the legs off a dog to tire it out! Mind games are important too.

Thank you very good advice I will contact the breed club to find out exactly what I should be doing :-)