How much exercise does an Old English Sheepdog need?

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

Most adult Old English Sheepdogs need about 45–60 minutes of exercise a day, split into 2 walks, plus some play.

ModerateEnergy

1.5–2.5 miDaily distance

LowHeat tolerance

GoodCold tolerance

Get a plan for your Old English Sheepdog's exact age with the walk calculator.

Why Old English Sheepdogs need this much exercise

Old English Sheepdogs were drovers' dogs in England, helping move sheep and cattle to market.

Old English Sheepdog 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	45–60 min	2 walks, plus some play
Senior (7+ years)	25–45 min	2 to 3 shorter, gentler walks

Old English Sheepdog 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 25 min	up to 50 min
6 months	about 30 min	up to 60 min
8 months	about 30 min	up to 60 min
10 months	about 30 min	up to 60 min
12 months	about 30 min	up to 60 min

Free play doesn't count toward these numbers. Skip jogging and long hikes until growth plates close, around 12–18 months for a large breed.

Best exercise for Old English Sheepdogs

Moderate leash walks
Herding games
Cold-weather hikes
Fetch

Walking tips for Old English Sheepdogs

That shaggy coat traps heat. Walk early on warm days, and keep the coat trimmed in summer if you like.
They have more energy than their teddy-bear look suggests. Add herding games and play.
Check the coat for burrs and debris after walks.
Protect growing joints: no forced running or repetitive jumping until growth plates close, around 12 to 18 months.

Old English Sheepdogs in hot and cold weather

Heat: Old English Sheepdogs don’t handle heat well. Their heavy coat traps heat. 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: Old English Sheepdogs are built for cold weather and usually enjoy it. Paws still need protecting from salt and ice, and very young or old dogs feel the cold more. Check today's cold risk.

Old English Sheepdog exercise FAQ

How long should I walk my Old English Sheepdog?

A healthy adult Old English Sheepdog needs about 45–60 minutes of exercise a day, best split into 2 walks, plus some play. Walks, play, and training games all count toward the total.

How far can an Old English Sheepdog walk?

At a normal walking pace, that works out to roughly 1.5–2.5 miles (2.5–4 km) a day for a healthy adult. For Old English Sheepdogs, time and sniffing matter more than distance, so keep the pace comfortable.

When can an Old English Sheepdog puppy go on long walks or runs?

Wait until growth plates close, around 12–18 months for a large breed like the Old English Sheepdog. 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 Old English Sheepdogs handle hot weather?

Not well. Their heavy coat traps heat. 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 Old English Sheepdogs need a coat in winter?

Rarely. Paws still need protecting from salt and ice, and very young or old dogs feel the cold more.

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