Dog owners are four times more likely to meet exercise targets

Dog owners are four times more likely to meet the recommended activity targets because 'most get 2.5 hours of exercise a week just walking their pets' Experts found dog owners exercise more even when they're not with their pet Nearly nine out of 10 of them get the recommended 150 minutes per week Whereas this dropped to just six out of 10 among people without pooches One said communities' exercise levels would be 'much lower' without pet dogs

By Sam Blanchard Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 14:01 BST, 18 April 2019 | Updated: 14:03 BST, 18 April 2019

View
comments

The UK would be less active without man's best friend, research suggests.

Dog owners have been to found to be four times more likely to meet weekly exercise targets than people without one.

Experts found that almost nine in 10 people with pooches get at least the recommended two-and-a-half hours of exercise each week.

Two thirds of them manage this just by walking their dog, the study found. 

But this drops to just over six out of 10 among people without the pets.

Having a dog also makes people more likely to exercise in addition to walkies, with higher rates of joggers and runners among owners – but they're less likely to do yoga or pilates.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool found people who have dogs are more likely to exercise even if they're not with their pet at the time

Scientists at the University of Liverpool found people who have dogs are more likely to exercise even if they're not with their pet at the time

read more from dailymail.....

NEXT Health service initiative offers patients a chance to see a GP on the same day ... trends now