How Much Daily Exercise

[~Annie~]

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Our elderly neighbours have adopted a 13 mth Shih Tzu, Sparky, from a free to good home ad. She's 70+ and a bit wobbly after her hip replacements, and he's older, frailer and has Alzheimers. The dog is in their garden for most of the day but the gardens on these houses really are very small and Sparky doesn't seem to move about very much, just squeaks his squeaky toys 24/7. When I pointed out to her that the reason our gang are run in the local fields everyday was because the gardens weren't really big enough for even a small dog to have a proper run she started taking the little chap a fifteen minute road walk. I'm sure he needs more exercise and will talk to her again but I have no experience of Shih Tzu's. The dachshunds are working dogs, they can run all day when well, but I'm guessing a Shih Tzu can manage on less exercise than they can??

Annie

PS No idea how to edit post titles which is really embarassing as I do know how to spell Shih Tzu!

 

[jinnyfizz]

I can never edit post titles either, Annie :b ......... I don't think you can :unsure:

Sorry, I don't have an inkling how much exercise they should need :blink: but

I suppose the one good thing is that your neighbours are listening to your suggestions :thumbsup:

 

[Dar Khan]

Think that your spelling is ok too .

 

[pippywhippet]

What do you call a zoo with no animals....??? Yep, a shit zoo :clown: Sorry, rubbish I know!!!!

It probably needs more than it is getting, but so many dogs dont even get out of the garden- I think it is very sad.

We have a similar situation, a young large sighthound nearby has literally 10 mins per day at a very slow pace on a very short lead... he is 18 months old I have offered many times to take him for a walk, but they seem to think his exercise is adequate.

Very very frustrating for the dog- no wonder they end up barking at all hours :angry:

 

[FeeFee]

Oh dear, it's always worrying when elderly people not in the best of health take on puppies/young dogs. Shih Tzu are a long-lived breed - he could well be around for another 14-15 years yet.

They are deceptively hardy little dogs, we have one in foster at the moment and he manages an hour's run with the fosterers other dogs - and he's 14!

 

[meddling]

I have a tibetan spaniel, who would happily walk for several hours, I have had many and they have all had an hour + walk a day until their latter years, Daisy has slowed up considerably recently due to health problems.

As Jane says, i'm glad they are listening to you, and 15 minute lead walk is a good start, maybe you can encourage them to go further or show them some nice places to run their Shih Tzu.