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Hartpury University issues new exercise guidance for dog owners
Toy breeds require up to 30 minutes’ exercise a day while larger breeds need more than two hours’ exercise daily.

Owners urged to carefully monitor how much exercise their pet receives

Working and competition dogs should be given one day off a week to allow their muscles and tendons to recover.

That is according to new guidance from Hartpury University, following research by animal science lecturer, Aisling Carroll.

Ms Carroll advises that working and competition dogs are exposed to more stresses and strains than the average pet dog.

“Canine sports medicine and rehabilitation professionals have observed that agility dogs trained at a young age to weave or jump and that may be trained repetitively, have an increased risk of injury or develop problems later in life, such as chronic spinal issues,” she said.

“It was found that agility dogs experiencing severe lumbosacral disease had frequently had a history of being overtrained at a young age. These were most commonly larger, more heavy-set breeds, such as golden retrievers.

“This condition appears to be much less common in dogs that began intensive agility training when physically mature.”

Ms Carroll offered the advice based on her studies at Hartpury University and an examination of previously published research.

She also said that dog owners could be putting their pet’s life at risk by not carefully monitoring how much exercise they have each day.

“Dog owners are recommended to walk their dog daily, to keep the animal physically active, to prevent it gaining too much weight, and to provide mental stimulation,” she said. “But depending on the breed, because of differences in their genetic make-up, age and size of the dog, the physical requirements and limits to exercise will differ.”

She continued: “Toy breeds, for instance, such as Chihuahuas, require up to 30 minutes’ exercise a day as adult dogs, while larger breeds, such as Labradors, need more than two hours’ exercise daily.

“Owners need to be aware that some dogs may push themselves beyond safe limits, particularly in multi-dog households where young dogs are exercised in a similar way to adult dogs."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."