Adequate exercise is a fundamental welfare need for dogs. Insufficient exercise is one of the most common welfare deficits in companion dogs and contributes to obesity, behavioural problems, and poor mental health.
Insufficient exercise is among the most prevalent welfare deficits affecting companion dogs in modern society. Working patterns, urban environments, and breed choices that exceed owners active capacity all contribute to dogs receiving inadequate physical and mental stimulation. The consequences accumulate: obesity, frustration-based behaviour problems, and the monotony of under-stimulated indoor confinement all compromise quality of life. The welfare obligation to provide adequate exercise requires honest self-assessment by prospective owners about whether they can meet the needs of their chosen breed before acquisition, and commitment to fulfilling those needs throughout the animal life.