Dog exercise requirements vary enormously by breed, age, and individual. Matching exercise to genuine need prevents both under-exercise welfare problems and over-exercise injuries.
Exercise mismatch causes significant welfare problems in both directions. Under-exercised working breeds develop anxiety, destructive behaviour, and frustration — their strong drive to work and move is denied. Over-exercised puppies develop joint problems from damage to growth plates before skeletal maturity. Brachycephalic dogs pushed to exercise beyond their airway capacity experience respiratory distress. Welfare-centred exercise planning starts with honest breed assessment — not marketing claims — and adjusts for individual age, health, and fitness level. A Border Collie in a city apartment without adequate exercise is a welfare problem; a Greyhound in a flat with regular short runs can thrive.