How much exercise does a Bullmastiff need?

By Tyler Polk, founder of PupnikUpdated September 24, 2026How we calculate

Most adult Bullmastiffs need about 30–45 minutes of exercise a day, split into 2 to 3 short walks.

LowEnergy

0.5–1.5 miDaily distance

LowHeat tolerance

ModerateCold tolerance

Get a plan for your Bullmastiff's exact age with the walk calculator.

Why Bullmastiffs need this much exercise

Bullmastiffs were bred in 19th-century England as a gamekeeper's night dog, quiet and powerful enough to stop poachers.

Bullmastiff exercise by age

Life stage	Daily exercise	How to split it
Puppy (2–12 months)	5 min per month of age, per walk	Up to 2 short walks, plus free play
Adult	30–45 min	2 to 3 short walks
Senior (6+ years)	15–35 min	2 to 3 shorter, gentler walks

Bullmastiff puppy walk schedule

Age	Per walk	Per day
2 months	about 10 min	up to 20 min
3 months	about 15 min	up to 30 min
4 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
5 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
6 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
8 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
10 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
12 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min

Free play doesn't count toward these numbers. Skip jogging and long hikes until growth plates close, around 18–24 months for a giant breed.

Best exercise for Bullmastiffs

Easy leash walks
Sniff walks
Training games
Gentle play

Walking tips for Bullmastiffs

A short muzzle and big body make heat risky. Keep walks short and cool in summer.
Two moderate walks a day suit their calm nature.
Early leash training matters with a dog this strong.
Protect growing joints: no forced running or repetitive jumping until growth plates close, around 18 to 24 months.

Bullmastiffs in hot and cold weather

Heat: Bullmastiffs don’t handle heat well. Their short muzzles make panting, a dog’s main way to cool down, inefficient. Walk at dawn or after sunset in summer, keep walks short once it feels like 75°F (24°C), and limit outings to potty breaks above about 82°F (28°C). Check today's heat risk.

Cold: Most healthy adult Bullmastiffs are comfortable until it’s well below freezing. Puppies, seniors, and slimmer dogs may appreciate a coat on cold, wet, or windy days. Check today's cold risk.

Bullmastiff exercise FAQ

How long should I walk my Bullmastiff?

A healthy adult Bullmastiff needs about 30–45 minutes of exercise a day, best split into 2 to 3 short walks. Because of their short muzzle, keep each walk to about 20 minutes or less in warm weather.

How far can a Bullmastiff walk?

At a normal walking pace, that works out to roughly 0.5–1.5 miles (1–2.5 km) a day for a healthy adult. For Bullmastiffs, time and sniffing matter more than distance, so keep the pace comfortable.

When can a Bullmastiff puppy go on long walks or runs?

Wait until growth plates close, around 18–24 months for a giant breed like the Bullmastiff. Until then, follow the 5-minutes-per-month rule: about 20 minutes per walk at 4 months, up to twice a day, plus free play.

Can Bullmastiffs handle hot weather?

Not well. Their short muzzles make panting, a dog’s main way to cool down, inefficient. Walk at dawn or after sunset in summer, keep walks short once it feels like 75°F (24°C), and limit outings to potty breaks above about 82°F (28°C).

Do Bullmastiffs need a coat in winter?

Most healthy adults don’t need one until it’s well below freezing. Puppies, seniors, and slimmer dogs may appreciate a coat on cold, wet, or windy days.

Ranges are typical for healthy dogs and rounded on purpose. Individual dogs vary, and your vet's advice comes first. How we calculate.