Choose The Right Active Small Dogs For Your Lifestyle

Believe it or not, not all high energy and active small dogs require high activity level of exercises. That’s the most common misconception many have. The sad thing is that many prospective dog owners, especially those who lead a fairly active lifestyle, shun away their “ideal” small dogs when the word high energy level is mentioned. With some exceptions like Parson Russell Terrier (a.k.a. Jack Russel Terrier), most small dogs can fit into your lifestyle even though you loath jogging or climbing the stairs. There are ways to work around it so that your dog gets his exercise requirement needed without having you turned into a fitness freak. Having said that, if value your TiVo and Internet more than you willing to step out of the house for 30 minutes of fresh air, then you would be better off to get a dog who would be happy to live their lives in horizontal position most of the time!

When small dogs are categorized as high energy dogs, it doesn’t mean their energy outputs have to derive from rigorous physical activities. Because of the way their body is built, many small dogs don’t fare well in strenuous activities like bigger breeds do. Some small dogs with moderate energy level can demand just as much of your attention as those with high energy level. For that matter, prospective dog owners should take the dog’s mental and physical requirements into considerations before getting their ideal small dog.

The simplest way to understand what type of active small dogs suitable for your lifestyle is this equation I have here.

• High Energy Dog + High Exercise Requirement + High Mental Stimulant = Highly Active Owner
• High Energy Dog + Moderate Exercise Requirement + High Mental Stimulant = Fairly High Active Owner
• High Energy Dog + Low Exercise Requirement + High or Moderate Mental Stimulant = Moderately Active Owner
• Moderate Energy Dog + High Exercise Requirement + High Mental Stimulant = Highly Active Owner
• Moderate Energy Dog + Moderate Exercise Requirement + Moderate Mental Stimulant = Moderately Active Owner
• Low Energy Dog + Low Exercise Requirement + Moderate Mental Stimulant = Laid-back Owner

How Active Is Your Small Dog?

To determine what activities suitable for your small dogs, we have to look at their energy level and physical and mental requirements. The rating on the chart is meant to be a guide and should not used individually to tailor your dog’s activities based on it. Dog are individuals with unique personalities. From my experience of working with smaller breeds, I’ve found some dogs (stood no taller than 8 inches) with the least expectation to do well in agility classes managed to outperform those high energy dogs. Hence, it is important to observe your own dog before pursuing the suggested activities.

1. High Activity Level

These small dogs aren’t designed to sit around the house all day. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulations every day. If you don’t provide the necessary activities for them, they will find ways to entertain themselves, usually without delay! Just be prepared to return to your newly “decorated” home after a long day at work.

Ideal Activities: Jogging, chasing, fetching, agility, flyball, hunting, herding, long walks, advance dog tricks

2. Moderate to High Activity Level

Although they do not need many high energy activities to meet their daily exercise requirements, most of these dogs will need some form of vigorous activities every other day and some challenging mental activities both indoor and outdoor.

Ideal Activities: Jogging, fetching, agility, long walks, tracking, advance dog tricks

3. Moderate Activity Level

Although active, these dogs exercise requirements can be met with moderate walks twice or thrice daily and plenty of interesting games and tricks both indoor and outdoor.

Ideal Activities: Long walks, basic to slightly advance dog tricks, romp around the yard, hide and seek, short distant tracking, treadmill exercise.

4. Low to Moderate Activity Level

Their exercise needs are minimal, but daily short walks is enough to meet their exercise requirement. Nonetheless, they should be able to romp around the house between walks. To keep them mentally agile, provide some interactive games.

Ideal Activities: Short walks, basic dog tricks, romp around the apartment or yard, hide and seek, treadmill exercise.

5. Low Activity Level

These dogs are the most laid-back and relaxed dog breeds alive. They have no interest in any serious dog sports and certainly not made for running. They need mild daily exercises to burn off some calories which can be met by short and slow pace walk around the block or some simple indoor activities.

Ideal Activities: brisk walks, very basic obedience trainings, romping indoor, slow pace treadmill exercise, hide and sniff.