We all know that all dogs require at least some exercise, but some dogs require more than others. So, a logical question when you’re planning on adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is “How much exercise does a Cavalier need?”
Generally, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very versatile dogs and can be either very sporty or your regular couch potato, but even couch potatoes need exercise. So, you’re going to want give your Cavalier daily exercise. For fun ways to exercise your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and how often you should walk your Cavalier, I suggest you keep reading.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Hyper?
As I mentioned earlier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be both couch potatoes or a very sporty dog, though all Cavaliers can be hyper at times.
This is especially true with puppies. All puppies, even though they do sleep a lot, are very energetic and love to run and play.
Fun Outdoor Activities For Your Cavalier
So, what are some fun outdoor activities that you can do with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
There are many, but today we will be looking at 7; playing fetch, walking and jogging, going to a dog park, having playdates, going swimming, geocaching, camping, and going on hikes.
Fetch
While fetch is a very common activity for dogs, that doesn’t mean that you have to disregard it.
Fetch is a fun activity that is entertaining for both your and your dog and will help give your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the exercise he needs.
Walks
Walking and jogging is also a common activity and it’s not always super fun, but it all has to do with where you walk!
Walking in your neighborhood won’t be nearly exciting for you or your dog as walking and jogging on a trail in the forest.
Walking is filled with new experiences for both you and your dog, especially if you walk in a new area you never went to before.
Going To A Dog Park
Going to a dog park has both pros and cons. On one hand, it’s a fun place for your dog to meet other dogs and to run and play with them, but on the other hand, it can easily be a bad influence.
Let me explain. When you take your dog to a dog park, it may feel to your dog that he can do as he pleases and may develop an independent and defiant nature.
Playdates
While going to a dog park is like taking your dog on a playdate with another dog, having a playdate is generally smaller and has fewer dogs.
Just, like going to a dog park, it’s possible that your dog will become defiant and stubborn.
Swimming
Swimming is a fun activity for both you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Not only is it fun, but it’s also a great way to get the exercise both you and your dog needs.
If you’d like to learn more about if Cavaliers can swim, I recommend checking out the article I made about this subject.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a lot like a treasure hunt, only you add to the treasure and take it for yourself. Also, the “treasure” is generally not that valuable.
If you’re still confused about geocaching, geocaching is an “outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world,” according to Wikipedia.
Geocaching offers new animals to see, smells to smell, and sounds to hear. Just be prepared in case you get lost.
Camping
Camping is another fun activity that you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can do together.
Just note that Cavaliers have a high prey drive and should always be on a leash whenever he is outside.
Hiking
Lastly, hiking is a fun way to get the exercise you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs.
Just remember if you still haven’t got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel yet that you start out slow after you let your Cavalier settle in. It’s possible that their previous owner (if they had one) never even hiked before and that your Cavalier is completely new to it.
If you’d like to learn more about going hiking with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I made an entire article on this subject.
It goes much more into depth about if they can, how long they can hike, what you need before you hike, and the health conditions that effect how long your Cavalier can hike. Here’s the link.
How Often Should You Walk a Cavalier?
Generally, you’re going to want to have 1-3 brisk walks with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel every day.
Note that these dogs don’t have to be exercised very much as they, while very active, aren’t the most active dogs ever.
How Long Can A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Walk?
In total, you’re going to want to walk your dog for about 1-2 miles every day.
I wouldn’t go more than 3 miles every day. It’s just not healthy for them to have to walk that far every day.
Fun Indoor Activities For Your Cavalier
So, now you know some fun outdoor activities, what about indoor activities?
Sometimes, we need to play indoors. We all know there was a time when had to not just to long ago and for some of us, we have to stay inside for various reasons.
Now, let’s look at some fun indoor activities!
Hide & Seek
Hide and seek is a fun one that is easy to do. Simply tell your dog to sit and when you’re hiding, tell your dog to come to you and watch them try to find you.
While hide and seek doesn’t necessarily provide much physical exercise, it certainly provides mental exercise which is just as important.
Find The Treasure
Find the treasure is a fun game for your dog where there are 3 plastic cups, one with tricks under it and two without.
The aim of the game is to find the cup with the treats under them. This makes them use their nose and actually smell out the treats.
Obstacle Course
Making an obstacle course is one of my favorite indoor activities because you can use indoor objects that you usually don’t have any use for.
You can use boxes, lamp poles, or anything else you just have laying around your house. The goal is to make a fun obstacle course for your dog to go through to test his wits and strength.
Just note that not all dogs will necessarily want to go through an obstacle course so some dogs will while others don’t. So, don’t be too surprised if your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t want to go through it.
Conclusion
So, how much exercise do Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need? Generally, you’re going to want to walk your dog about 1-3 times a day, but there are other fun outdoor and indoor activities you can do like hiking, camping, and making an obstacle course.
So, do you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? If so, how much exercise do they get? Let us know in the comment section below!
Image by Anna Dankowska from Pixabay