Group
Herding
Who: Border Collie, Aussie, German Shepherd, Malinois, Sheltie, Collie,
Corgi (Cardigan/Pembroke), Tervuren, Beauceron, Briard, Kelpie
Daily target: 90–150 min total
(include 30–60 min brain work)
Best activities:
Long-line/off-leash runs, fetch/frisbee intervals, agility, treibball,
scentwork, advanced obedience chains (heel → sit → down → place)
Quick caution: Speed alone makes a fitter tornado. Add problem-solving daily.
Group
Sporting
Who: Lab, Golden, Flat-Coated, Chesapeake, GSP, Weimaraner, Vizsla, Brittany,
Setters (Gordon/Irish/English), Pointers, Spaniels (Springer/Cocker)
Best activities:
Retrieving games, swimming, jogs, field drills, tracking,
long hikes on a long line, dock diving
Trainer note: 60–90 min aerobic + 20–30 min skill/obedience is a sweet spot.
Group
Working
Who: Rottweiler, Doberman, Boxer, Giant Schnauzer, Bernese, Newfoundland,
Cane Corso, Akita, Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, Husky, Malamute, Samoyed
Daily target:
Guardian/giant: 45–90 min (low impact)
Northern/sled: 90–150 min (cool temps, steady pace)
Best activities:
Hill walks, structured heel, controlled tug (with rules),
light carting/weight pull (age-appropriate), nosework, rally/obedience
Quick caution: Power athletes. Protect joints — especially giants.
Group
Hounds
Sight: Greyhound, Whippet, Saluki, Borzoi, Ibizan/Pharaoh
Scent: Beagle, Basset, Bloodhound, Coonhounds, Foxhound, Harrier
Daily target:
Sighthounds: 45–90 min (bursts + naps)
Scenthounds: 90–120 min (sniff-heavy endurance)
Best activities:
Sight: secure sprints, flirt pole, short intervals
Scent: decompression sniff walks, tracking games, nosework, rambling hikes
Quick caution: Scent work is exercise. Let them sniff — it’s the point.
Group
Terriers — Small
Who: Jack Russell/Parson, Rat Terrier, Cairn, Westie, Norfolk/Norwich,
Border Terrier, Mini Schnauzer
Daily target: 60–90 min
(short, spicy blocks)
Best activities:
Brisk walks, fetch bursts, flirt pole, dig boxes/tunnels,
scent games, impulse control (place, leave it)
Quick caution: High prey drive. Keep it structured or they’ll self-escalate.
Group
Terriers — Large
Who: Airedale, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue, Wheaten,
AmStaff, Bull Terrier
Best activities:
Tug with rules, fetch intervals, canicross/jogging, tracking, barn hunt,
light weighted-pack walks (age-appropriate), obedience under distractions
Quick caution: Don’t “hype train” the dog. Build recoveries between reps.
Group
Toy Group
Who: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Papillon, Maltese, Toy/Mini Poodle,
Cavalier KC, Yorkie, Italian Greyhound
Daily target: 30–60 min + indoor play
Best activities:
Gentle walks, hallway fetch, trick training, nosework boxes, mini-agility
Quick caution: Temperature swings + fragile joints. Keep it safe and consistent.
Group
Non-Sporting (Varies)
Active (90–120): Dalmatian, Standard Poodle, Keeshond, Schipperke
Moderate (60–90): Bichon, Shiba Inu, Finnish Spitz, Tibetan Terrier
Low–Moderate (30–60): Bulldog*, Chow Chow*, Lhasa Apso, Boston Terrier*
*brachycephalic / heat-sensitive
Best activities:
Brisk walks, rally/obedience, trick training, swimming (when appropriate)
Quick caution: Some of these dogs overheat fast. Cool hours only.
