The Golden Cattle Dog is an exceptionally active breed. This breed needs a lot of exercise to remain a happy individual....and that exercise must be both physically and mentally stimulating.
A Golden Cattle Dog left outside in the best back yard in the world will find ways to entertain himself, and those may not be the most accepted ways to burn off energy in the eyes of the rest of the family. Instead, as an GCD owner, you need to take the initiative to find out what kind of exercise your dog LOVES. Many are happy jogging or biking with their owners, some will chase a Frisbee or a tennis ball for hours on end and others love to swim. One of ours will swim until the sun goes down if we let him and another loves to chase the ball or Frisbee. When we don't have the weather for these outdoor activities they all love to be challenged by learning new tricks or problem solving how to get treats out of doggy puzzle contraptions.
Keep in mind that "exercise" that is mentally stimulating is much more physically draining than you might think. Golden Cattle Dogs LOVE to think about things and please their owner. A one hour obedience or agility class can be just as "draining" as a four hour hike!
GCDs thrive on activities that make them use their noggins. Needless to say, Herding is one activity that keeps them quite content both physically and mentally but not all owners have consistent access to livestock (and a proper trainer). Urban cattle dogs can be mentally stimulated though other activities like Agility, Tracking and Obedience.
Please be careful not put too much strain on the bones and joints of a growing pup. Up to the age of two, dogs should not be allowed to go on long runs. You also need to take caution during their formative years not to allow them to jump and twist too high when leaping for tossed objects (ex. balls and Frisbees).
Remember: a tired cattle dog is a happy cattle dog!
