Hi everyone, I just got a female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel yesterday; she’s a year and a half old. My question is: what is the recommended walk duration for a dog of this breed? I’m asking because I went for a walk today with my mum and my little sister and took her along, thinking she’d enjoy it, but since we’ve been back, she’s been lying on the sofa panting very heavily and making a lot of noise, almost as if she’s struggling to breathe, and I’m really worried! I did bring water with me to keep her hydrated and she had a good drink as soon as we got home...
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It also depends on whether you're walking her on a lead or off-lead. Mind you, if you've only had her since yesterday, I'm guessing she stays on the lead, as dogs cover at least double the distance when they're off-lead with all the running back and forth. You should also consider the temperature and try to walk her early in the morning or late at night. Perhaps she's a bit overweight or feeling a little stressed; these are all things to take into account. Either way, even a small dog can easily manage an hour-long walk twice a day, but as @jupipou mentioned, do be careful as CKCs are prone to heart issues. Alternatively, you could try walking her for half an hour three times a day and gradually build it up.
How often and for how long do you walk her each day?
It’s perfectly normal for a dog to pant after a walk. Since dogs don’t sweat as much as humans, they regulate their body temperature through panting; so, after exercise or in hot weather, it’s only natural to see them panting.
As for the recommended duration, it really depends on the individual dog. Cavaliers are prone to heart issues, so I’d suggest no more than 45 minutes to an hour in one go (longer if you’re taking breaks in the shade), especially if it’s very hot out. That said, you can easily have her out for 2 to 2.5 hours over the course of the day, split into 2 or 3 separate walks. If your dog can handle more, within reason, you can certainly take her out for longer.
Have you only just got her?
She might be overweight, or perhaps you took her out at the wrong time (at the moment, it’s best to avoid walking dogs between 11 am and 6 pm).
Cavaliers are actually quite sporty dogs; they’re pretty good at agility.
Do look into what her living conditions were like before she came to you. If no one was taking her out, they might have effectively made her physically unfit. You’ll have to build things up gradually in that case to get her back to being a normal dog again.
