Is physical activity safe for large-breed puppies?

When adopting a large breed dog, one of the first concerns of owners is joint growth. Indeed, many new dog owners fear that physical activity will interfere with this growth. As there are no strict rules regarding exercise restrictions for growing large-breed dogs, it's important to use common sense. Indeed, young dogs under a year old often have energy to spare. However, they don't yet have the discernment to know when to stop. Running or jogging is considered a "forced" activity, as it is carried out with an imposed duration, distance and/or speed, which exceeds the exercise intensity the dog would have when playing with canine companions of the same age.

When an activity places such stress on the musculoskeletal system, it can lead to long-term physical damage. This is especially true for dog breeds at risk of congenital orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia.

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But where does the risk really come from? When an animal grows (or a human...!), the bones lengthen from their extremities, called growth plates. High-impact (vigorous, forced) exercise can cause micro-trauma to the growth plates, leading to premature closure. Premature closure can hinder growth and lead to joint problems at an early age. In most breeds, the growth plates close around 12 months of age. Therefore, waiting until 12 to 16 months of age is wise to ensure adequate skeletal development.

A simple analogy can be made to better understand puppy development. A 6-month-old dog can be compared to a child of about 10 years old. Would it be reasonable to think that a 10-year-old could run several times a week at the speed of an adult human?

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But then, what kind of exercise is right for my growing large-breed puppy? Remember, forced exercise is anything beyond what the puppy would do playing with dogs of the same age. So a 4-month-old dog running around the dog park with adult dogs is considered forced exercise. Don't forget that mental effort is very enriching for a puppy and can expend him just as much - allowing exploration through sniffing (dogs love to sniff!) and, of course, training, are great ways to enrich and amuse your puppy.

The first year of a puppy's life may seem restrictive, but it's an investment in a long and active life with your 4-legged friend!