July 9, 2025, 4:34 am | Read time: 5 minutes

In Germany, there are approximately 10.6 million dogs, spread across about five million owners. However, only a small portion of them are active in dog sports or regularly attend a dog school. Does this mean our four-legged friends are under-challenged? Or is a daily walk perfectly sufficient?

The Daily Routine of Most Dogs: 28 Minutes of Walking

An analysis of the GPS tracker from Tractive provides interesting insights: Owners who record their walks with the tracker walk their dogs an average of 2.4 times a day–for about 28 minutes each time. The longest walks usually take place in the evening. Does this sound like a solid daily routine? Maybe. But: The numbers are not representative–and even if they were, many dogs are significantly below what behavior experts recommend.

According to animal welfare laws, dogs must be walked at least twice a day for a total of at least one hour. What this means is open to interpretation–but many experts believe that at least one to two hours of exercise per day would be appropriate. They also add: Mental stimulation, social contact, and interaction are also part of a dog’s life.

Does Every Dog Need Activity–or Only Certain Breeds?

We often hear: “That’s an Australian Shepherd–he definitely needs dog sports!” or “A hunting dog must hunt, otherwise you’re going against its genetics!” But is it really that simple?

Modern studies show that the influence of breed on behavior is less than long assumed–about nine percent. Factors such as age, training, environment, and individual personality are much more decisive for a dog’s behavior. This means: Just because a dog belongs to the herding or hunting breed doesn’t automatically mean it has an extreme need for activity–it can, but it doesn’t have to be that way.¹

Nevertheless, the breed is not entirely irrelevant. It provides clues about typical behavioral tendencies: A Border Collie often has more willingness to cooperate, a Labrador often has a high food motivation, and a Terrier may have a tendency to hunt. These traits must be considered in everyday life–otherwise, frustration can arise.

Is the Life of Street Dogs Applicable to Our Dogs? 

A common counterargument is: Street dogs live without activity–and they’re doing fine! Observations from India and Southeast Asia indeed show: Free-roaming dogs rest up to 80 percent of the day, they mostly roam alone and live more territorially near humans. Their diet is based on food scraps. Hunting behavior? Not at all! Because the dogs live where the people are, and they wouldn’t tolerate it if a dog snatched a chicken right in front of them. 

But does this mean our dogs are also content with sleeping, food, and no other dogs? It’s not that simple. The dogs from India, for example, are not comparable to bred domestic dogs. In India, there is almost no dog breeding. The dogs have “naturally” evolved and are optimized for survival, not for bonding or cooperation with humans. And most importantly: They find their own activities. They are mentally challenged by searching for food, asserting themselves, or avoiding conflicts. ²

In contrast, our dogs have their entire lives predetermined–which often leads to boredom if there is no targeted activity. Boredom and under-stimulation can lead to illness and behavioral issues. Frustration can erupt explosively, for example, during encounters with other dogs. 

Dog Activity: Quality Matters More Than Quantity

The most important question is not whether a dog is kept busy–but how and with what. And: What does activity even mean? It’s not just about agility or obedience. Simple things like

• Scent games at home or on the go
• Retrieval games, adjusted to age and proper training methods to prevent the dog from becoming a junkie
• Trick training or small mental challenges
• Exploring new paths together
• Calm interaction with humans

are enough for many dogs to be satisfied. It’s not the quantity, but the quality that counts–and the adaptation to the individual dog.

When Activity Becomes Overwhelming

Especially with active breeds like the Australian Shepherd, another problem becomes apparent: Too much or “wrong” activity can be overwhelming. Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that Australian Shepherds who engage intensively in dog sports may develop compulsive behaviors and nervousness–due to constant anticipation or repetitive movements. This seems to be somewhat less common in Border Collies–possibly due to their original selection for controlled working behavior.

Dogs with sensitive sensors and high reactivity often benefit more from clear daily structures, meaningful rest periods, and targeted activity than from overly ambitious sports.

More on the topic

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"Lassie's Unknown Relative" Smooth Collie: This Herding Dog Is Also Suitable for Beginners

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Conclusion: Walking Alone Is Not Enough

Most dogs in Germany are probably not dramatically under-stimulated, but they are also not truly fulfilled–at least not in terms of their species-specific needs. Many get enough exercise, but too little variety, mental work, or social interaction. And yes: Walks are important. But walking alone is not enough.

Whether a dog needs dog sports is not a question of breed, but of the individual. Those who observe their dog, know its signals, and creatively shape everyday life with it are generally doing many things right–even without club membership or a training plan.