Choosing a Dog requiring lots of exercise.
Before choosing any dog to suit your lifestyle requirements you should read our Guide to Choosing a Pet Dog to get an overall view of the many areas you should consider before making your final decision to get the right pet dog for you.

• How active are you, what are your energy levels? The activity levels of dog breeds will vary, many dogs require long walks and outside exercise (boredom and bad behaviour often result from lack of exercise}

• What size of dog would suit your lifestyle:- (dogs fall into three size groupings- small, medium and large),
  Is your accommodation and outside space sufficient for a large dog?
  Are you able to handle a larger dog on walks?
  Could you lift or carry a larger dog if necessary?
  Small dogs can also be full of energy and busy dogs at home can cause all sorts of problems

• How much time can you give to your pet dog. Apart from exercise, dogs could make other demands on your time.
  Easy to train dogs obviously require less time spent on training.
  Little or no grooming may be a factor.
  Do you require a dog that likes playing or a more docile “lapdog”?

• Noise levels…many dogs react to unfamiliar noises, some by barking or growling and others who may be more shy or reserved can become frightened. Extreme barking can obviously cause problems for you or your neighbours.

• Will you need to leave your dog alone for short periods? (Doctor or hospital visits even social visits to “dog free” zones). Some dogs can cope with this, others, unless trained, find it difficult and can get bored.

• Will the added cost of keeping a dog fit in with your lifestyle and circumstances?
  

Some suggestions for Dog Breeds that need lots of exercise.

English Foxhound
Friendly, energetic dogs that are large and eager and love the company of other dogs and animals. Highly active, friendly, and extremely alert, these dogs have plenty of stamina and endurance. Moderately easy to train they make independent but very affectionate pets.

Dog Breed

Airedale Terrier Feisty and independent, can be affectionate and good with children and other animals if socialised with them from an early age. Good temperament with a possessive nature towards owner, which makes them good all-round family dogs Afghan Hound Afghans are elegant, independent, keen, sensitive, loyal, loving companions, calm and patient they are tolerant of children and most other pets. They can often appear unintelligent and this combined with their independent nature can make them difficult to train. Bloodhound Affectionate, affable, sensitive and sometimes reserved dogs. Good with children but can often knock them over.Generally good with strangers, other pets and unfamiliar dogs. Enjoys company making them ideal family dogs. Border Collie They're good with children and make excellent watchdogs. Highly intelligent, readily trained dog breed. Keen, alert and responsive to commands. Enjoys the company found in a family enviroment and also that of other dogs. Briard Calm, bold and courageous. Loyal to owners and intelligent making them responsive to commands and easily trainable. Fits well into family environment but may need their boisterous nature curbing from an early age. Dalmatian Distinctive "spotty dog". Friendly, elegant,exhuberant and outgoing popular dog. Exhuberant, friendly and outgoing dogs. Affectionate and devoted with owners, child friendly if socialised early. English Foxhound Friendly, energetic dogs that are large and eager and love the company of other dogs and animals. Highly active, friendly, and extremely alert, these dogs have plenty of stamina and endurance. Moderately easy to train they make independent but very affectionate pets. English Setters Graceful, elegant dogs with plenty of energy. Friendly dog, excellent with children, has a soft mouth but can be lively and exhuberant. Pointer (German Shorthaired) Lively exhuberant dogs full of energy and enthusiasm Enjoys lots of exercise and games. Intelligent, easy to train learning new commands easily. Good family dog, great with children and other pets Golden Retrievers This is another breed that has a lot of energy and will want to play for hours. Golden retrievers are intelligent, ea Schnauzer (Giant) Intellgent, alert dogs, bold and brave but calm and reliable. Loyal and affectionate Reasonably easy to train good with children and other pets Gordon Setter Happy, outgoing dogs that are also fearless, bold and affectionate. Quite easy to train they are generally obedient, make ideal family pets or working gundogs, they are great with children and other animals although they can be shy with strangers, Generally alert they make excellent watchdogs. Great Dane Exhuberant, outgoing dogs that can sometimes be stubborn and independent. Moderately easy to train (but easy to housetrain). Likes to be part of the family and if exercised properly will often be quiet at home, Generally make good guard dog possibly due to appearance rather than aggression.. Irish Setter Extremely active, often excitable dogs that are also affectionate and loyal. Great with children and family pets they make an ideal pet dog for active families. Reasonably easy to train they learn new commands quickly. Jack Russel Terrier Small dogs but full of energy and character, Popular and well known they make ideal family pets but can also be used as a working dog. Affectionate and loyal is good with children especially if raised with them. Irish Setter Extremely active, often excitable dogs that are also affectionate and loyal. Great with children and family pets they make an ideal pet dog for active families. Reasonably easy to train they learn new commands quickly. Weimaraner Freindly,obedient, alert and active dog with a protective and exhuberant nature. Likes to develop close bonds with their owners. Loyal, intelligent and obedient, making them easy to train. Great with children

top of page




Dog Breed Blurbs

Basset Hound
Bassets adapt well to town or country life. Quite the charmer, the Basset loves children and is a good watchdog, making it a deservingly popular pet.

Beagle -
Medium sized happy and lively dogs, alert with a tolerant nature, can show an independent streak and a desire to follow scents. A lovely dog with a gentle nature, affectionate and friendly, good with children.

Bichon Frise -
Good natured small dogs that make excellent pets . Very attractive and distinctive with a predominately white coat and a pocket-sized appeal, they do not need particularly long walks and make excellent gentle and loving companions.

Border Collie
They're good with children and make excellent watchdogs. Highly intelligent, readily trained dog breed. Keen, alert and responsive to commands. Enjoys the company found in a family enviroment and also that of other dogs.

Border Terrier
Alert and playful, small physically but a big dog in personality, and well able to stand up for themselves
Great dog for families with active children sweet natured and playful

Boston Terriers -
Small impressive looking dogs who often prefer the company of their owners to other dogs. Not demanding with a gentle demeanour. They are gentle and friendly dogs who are easily housetrained.

Boxers.
Dogs that are quiet, intelligent, playful and fun to be around, they are a great choice for a family with children.Easy to train they are dedicated and easily becomr devoted to a family whilst sometimes being reserved around strangers.

Cairn Terrier
The cairn is typical terrier; plucky, spirited, inquisitive, hardy, clever, stubborn and scrappy. It is responsive to its owner's wishes with a desire to please. It enjoys playing with children and is tough enough to withstand some rough friendly play.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel -
A generally playful dog that likes human company, but are sometimes reserved with strangers. Affectionate and devoted to owners and children, good with other pets and friendly towards unfamiliar dogs, thrives on human contact and will love being part of your family.

Chihuahua -
Alert, spirited, bold little dog that is also friendly and affectionate.Devoted to owners and usually good with children and other pets Chihuahuas have strong personalities and tend to bond with one adult. Their tiny size makes them easy to handle.

Cocker Spaniel -
Medium sized dog that is friendly, energetic and keen to please. Good with children and other dogs the Cocker Spaniel makes an ideal family pet. Has lots of energy and can be trained with patience

Collie -
Collies make great family pets because they love to be with people, and love to be part of the family. They are great with children and often take a special interest in them. A highly intelligent dog that is easy to train, they will bond quickly and easily with a family and easily become watchful and protective of the home.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier
It is a loyal companion suitable for people of all ages, but it does need daily exercise to keep it from becoming frustrated. It is intelligent and very independent. It tends to be reserved with strangers and can be aggressive toward strange dogs.

Dachshund
Available as long or short haired varieties, Small but active little dogs. Friendly with family and other pets but can become a "one man dog". Playful, friendly, brave and fearless.

Dalmatian
Distinctive "spotty dog". Friendly, elegant,exhuberant and outgoing popular dog.
Exhuberant, friendly and outgoing dogs. Affectionate and devoted with owners, child friendly if socialised early.

Doberman Pinscher

English Setters
Graceful, elegant dogs with plenty of energy. Friendly dog, excellent with children, has a soft mouth but can be lively and exhuberant.

English Springer Spaniel

Great Dane

Greyhound

Golden Retrievers
This is another breed that has a lot of energy and will want to play for hours on in. Golden retrievers are intelligent, loyal, and with a life span of 10-12 year will be a long time family member.

Jack Russel Terrier
Small dogs but full of energy and character, Popular and well known they make ideal family pets but can also be used as a working dog. Affectionate and loyal is good with children especially if raised with them.

Labrador Retriever -
A kind natured dog not aggressive, intelligent and easy to train learning commands very quickly.
Reliable, trustworthy, calm, friendly, gentle and confident. A very popular dog that is very eager to please you and is always ready to have fun.

Lhasa Apso
A medium szed dog that is a very friendly and popular dog it is alert, reserved and vocal which can make them good watchdogs.Devoted and loyal to owners whilst remaing independent (likes to be his own dog).
Good with childre but often frightened of toddlers and babies. It does well living indoors, as long as it is walked daily. The Lhasa Apso sheds really heavily, though, so it needs to be professionally groomed every 8 weeks to prevent matting.

Maltese -
The Maltese is a tiny, docile breed that is extremely affectionate and loves to be pampered it is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, and its trust and responsiveness are appealing Easy to train, they love to play fetch and learn tricks. They do not shed but require regular brushing to keep their coats from matting. Like other non-shedding dogs, they are a good choice for allergy sufferers. A good pet in limited accommodation, the Maltese's exercise needs are minimal

Miniature poodle -
Small dogs that are often the breed of choice for owners who want to pamper their dog. Poodles love attention and company of people, and are easily trained. They are handsome, intelligent and lively pets and companions.They need a moderate amount of exercise. abd their curly coats can be clipped short for ease of grooming with longer coats they hould be brushed every day although poodles do not shed and are a good choice for allergy sufferers.

Norfolk Terrier
Norfolks are charming small, active teddy bears of dogs that are friendly and amusing companions.
outgoing, fearless that enjoy playing with children.

Papillon -
A small pretty and lively dog ideal as a companion or as a loving easily socialised dog for families Its beautiful coat is prone to frequent shedding and needs to be combed at least daily. These dogs make wonderful lapdogs, and they are relatively quiet, compared to other small breeds.The breed is also relatively hardy.

Pekingese -
Small affectionate little dogs with long silky coats and a shortened pug like face. They are affectionate but have independent personalities. Pekingese usually get along well with other dogs and people, but may be wary of strangers. They need regular grooming but require little exercise.

Pomeranian -
These vivacious, extrovert little dogs will bring a smile to any face, although sometimes they can be noisy. They just love to snuggle up and nap in a person's lap. They usually prefer adults to children and get along well with other pets. They are intelligent, feisty dogs and have a low need for exercise. Despite having fluffy coats they do not need much grooming.

Poodle (Miniature) -
The miniature poodle is lively, amiable, playful, eager to please, responsive and obedient making it one of the most popular varieties of dog. Quite sensitive, tending to be devoted to one person, may be reserved with strangers. It is good with children, other pets and dogs. Some tend to bark a lot.

Standard Poodle
All around the standard poodle is a great dog. With its pleasing attitude, loving disposition, an amazing patience this dog makes a great kids dog.

Pug -
A small dog that is sociable, homely, companionable and friendly , their playful and clownish nature makes them ideal family pets.
Not overly intelligent which means patience is required when training..Has a low exercise requirement but can be high-energy dogs that love to cuddle. Can shed quite a bit which mighy require regular grooming.

Schnauzer (Standard) -
Medium sized dogs that are sociable and playful although they can be very protective and have strong guarding instincts. Their coat requires professional clipping. Alert and playful enjoys company, very good with children especially if raised with them

Shetland Sheepdog
The "Sheltie" is in most ways a smaller version of the rough collie. A gentle reserved dog with a magnificent, profuse coat. Highly intelligent, easy to train they make ideal companions and family pets.

Shih-Tzu -
Active, friendly, alert little dogs with an independent nature.Affectionate and devoted to their owners, good with children and other animals They live for human companionship; and have a have a sweet, gentle disposition Their long coats can require high-maintenance grooming, or they can be trimmed in a "puppy cut" which requires less

West Highland Terrier
Very popular pets, active and playful they can sometimes be feisty and independent but they are also affectionate and loyal.
Alert dogs they make good watchdogs.
Affectionate and loyal towards owners and great with children if raised with them.
Friendly with strangers and other dogs if well socialised. upkeep.


Whippet
A sleek, handsome and very fast sight hound which makes an excellent family pet. Gentle, affectionate, friendly, and easy-going, very good with children but can be difficult to control on walks.

Weimaraner

Wire Fox Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier -
Small but feisty, tenacious and courageous.
Popular dogs that are intelligent and easy to train, learning commands quickly .They love human companionship without being too clingy Good with children and strangers
Very affectionate and loyal. Their long coat can be trimmed to a shorter length for ease of maintenance. They do not shed and are good low-allergy dogs.

----------------------------------------------