How Much Exercise Does A Bull Terrier Need?

In the United States, 50 percent of dogs are overweight, whereas 25 to 30 percent of them are obese. If you own a dog, one way to combat this weight problem is through exercise. Different breeds require different levels of exercise. If so, how much exercise does a Bull Terrier need?

How Much Exercise Does A Bull Terrier Need?

The amount of exercise a Bull Terrier needs depends on its age. An adult Bull Terrier requires a minimum of one hour of exercise per day. However, a puppy or a senior Bull Terrier will require less exercise appropriate to their physical needs.

If you want to know more about the proper exercise for your Bull Terrier, keep reading.

Bull Terrier’s Energy Level

Before deciding what kind of exercise to give your Bull Terrier, I must first understand my dog’s energy level. Dogs with high-energy levels have different exercise requirements in comparison to dogs that exhibit low-energy levels.

Bull Terriers are generally high-energy dogs. If you’re a novice dog owner, the energy of this dog might be too much for you to handle. This kind of behavior can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared.

If you fail to give them enough activity that makes them active, they turn this energy into a negative behavior such as chewing everything they see or barking and whining too much. 

Exercise makes the best option to fix behavioral problems with your Bull Terrier. You can help your dog release its repressed energy through exercise. Aside from eliminating unpleasant behaviors, exercise will improve your dog’s overall bearing and attention to detail. 

Different Types of Exercise for a Bull Terrier

As mentioned, you need to build a routine and be consistent with it. In the next section, I will discuss the different exercises you can give your Bull Terrier now that you have a better understanding of its energy levels. 

• Walking: Walking is simple yet it comes with a lot of health benefit. It burns excess calories that cause obesity. Walking improves the joints’ functions. It also helps your dog’s digestive and urinary health. 
• Tug-Of-War: Tug-of-war not only burns excess energy but it keeps your dog mentally stimulated. By letting your Bull Terrier win, it teaches your dog that engaging with you brings a lot of fun and is rewarding. It’s good exercise if you and your dog live in an apartment.
• Fetch: This kind of exercise keeps your Bull Terrier alert in its surroundings. Playing fetch with your dog helps build its discipline and focus.
• Jogging: Jogging helps you and your dog stay active. Aside from keeping their weight, this kind of exercise provides great mental health benefits such as less anxiety and depression as well as mental sharpness. 
• Trekking: Trekking is a great outdoor exercise for you and your Bull Terrier. Bull Terriers love the outdoors too. However, make sure your dog is well-trained so it won’t chase other animals or drag you off the track.
• Swimming: Many Bull Terriers enjoy the water. It’s a good variation in walking if you want your dog to develop joint functions and strength. 

These are just a few examples of good exercise for your Bull Terrier. To avoid feeling burdened, pick an exercise that you enjoy as much as your Bull Terrier. Exercise doesn’t just provide health benefits, but it deepens your bond together.

Exercising Your Bull Terrier at Different Ages

A Bull Terrier requires different levels of exercise at the different stages of its life — starting from the puppy stage, adult stage to the senior stage. 

Exercising Your Bull Terrier Puppy

In general, puppies are always full of life and energy — especially Bull Terrier breeds. A Bull Terrier puppy needs plenty of short bursts of activity like an exercise to let go of the pent-up energy. As a part of general advice on how to exercise puppies, take five minutes of exercise twice a day.

Don’t force your puppy to do more than the required exercise as it might damage its joint.

Remember that puppies are still growing. Anything that damages the growth plates in their joints can impair their growth. Also, always make sure that they are in a safe space to run off and do plenty of playtimes.

Exercising Your Adult Bull Terrier

An adult Bull Terrier needs at least an hour of exercise daily. Adult dogs have reached their full-size potential so you don’t need to worry about damaging their joints as much as you would worry for a puppy.

However, don’t be too lenient as well. Since Bull Terriers are generally high-energy dogs, they’re still prone to injuries.  

You can choose any exercise mentioned above. You can also do a combination of activities such as walking and extra playtime. A Bull Terrier also needs mental stimulation to alleviate its boredom before it turns into destructive behavioral issues.

Examples of mental activities for your dog include hide and seek or teaching him a new trick.

Exercising Your Senior Bull Terrier

Unlike an adult Bull Terrier, you can’t give as much exercise to your senior dog. A senior dog might manifest health problems or other issues that will limit its activity levels. You will notice its movement slowing down and prefers to rest more.

However, your senior Bull Terrier still needs exercise to keep him stay healthy. 

There’s no specific number of minutes for its exercise but you can check with your vet for the assessment of your dog’s energy levels and body conditions.

Related Questions

How Often Should You Walk a Bull Terrier?

You should walk your Bull Terrier every day. Aside from good exercise and deep bonding together, walking is one way to stimulate your dog mentally. 

Are Bull Terriers Good Hiking Dogs?

Bull Terriers like walking long distances, which makes them good for hiking. However, going outside with a Bull Terrier carries a risk. Make sure your Bull Terrier is well-trained so it’s easier to supervise him in case something catches his attention along the way – be it strangers or other animals.

Conclusion

The amount of exercise depends on your Bull Terrier’s age. Make sure you give exercise appropriate to your dog’s age to avoid causing damage instead of health benefits. In choosing an exercise for your Bull Terrier, choose something that you and your dog enjoy so it doesn’t feel like a burden.

I would also like to emphasize the importance of creating a routine so your Bull Terrier knows what to expect throughout the day.