How much exercise does an Afghan Hound need?

Afghan Hounds are athletic dogs who bond closely with their owners and love attention. They can be shy and are sometimes seen as being aloof, but they’re still up for having a good time and playing with their family too.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog for the first time and think this could be the breed for you, it’s good to be mindful of the fact that Afghan Hounds do have a strong hunting instinct. So while they’re gentle with people, they’re best suited to a home without other small pets.

How much exercise do adult Afghan Hounds need?

An adult Afghan Hound needs around 90 minutes of exercise a day to stay strong and healthy. This could be split across multiple walks, but can also include other enriching activities like play. Playing games with your dog is a great way to bond with them and provides much needed mental stimulation too.

If you want to make sure you’re getting the balance just right, it could be time to get your paws on a PitPat Dog Activity Monitor. This little device will give you an exercise goal tailored to your dog and show you how much walking, running and playing your dog is doing each day.

How much exercise does an Afghan Hound puppy need?

When your pup is ready to explore the outside world it’s recommended that they only do so for 5 minutes for each month of their age for their formal walkies. This may not sound like a lot, but puppies can easily do this amount of exercise by simply tearing around the house or hiding your socks. So it’s important to be aware of how active they are each day, as overexercise at this stage can cause issues with bone and muscle development later in life.

This doesn’t mean you and your new best friend can’t have fun though. Why not try adding games or some training into their exercise routine? Fun activities such as hide and seek or teaching them how to sit or stay are fantastic ways to start to socialise your dog, and you’ll be keeping their brains active by adding some variation into their day.

Of course, there’s no better way to keep track of all this fun than with a PitPat Dog Activity Monitor. For just £39 you’ll be able to see exactly what their activity levels are, and adjust what they’re getting up to as needed, our app will even increase their activity goal as they grow to help you keep on track.

How much exercise does a senior Afghan Hound need?

As your Afghan Hound nears their 7th birthday you may notice that they’re beginning to slow down. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about, it just means they’re entering their senior years.

You may find that you need to start decreasing the length of their walks or making more time for rest. The best way to do this is to let your dog go at their own pace and you’ll soon be able to tell how far they’re comfortable going.

Of course, some dogs are better at letting you know they need to stop than others and will keep going even if they’re tired, which can lead to muscle and joint issues which will be difficult to resolve as they get older.

This is why a PitPat can be really helpful at this stage. It will automatically decrease your dog’s exercise goal as they get older so you can help them figure out their new normal.

Best types of exercise for Afghan Hounds

Lure coursing. This sport involves having dogs chase a mechanised lure, and as sighthounds like the Afghan love to be able to run fast and focus on something in motion, this makes it the perfect sport for them. It doesn’t require a lot of training but will provide great physical exercise and be enriching for your dog as well.

Scentwork. You can easily incorporate scentwork into your daily routine by hiding treats around the house or while out on a walk to get your dog’s nose and brain working. It’s a simple but effective way to add some mental stimulation into their day.

Whatever adventures you have with your Afghan Hound make sure you bring PitPat along with you. It’s the best way to make sure that you’re always getting the exercise balance just right.