All new puppy owners will be pleased to hear that they can loose weight and stay healthy by walking their dogs. There is no need to enrol at a fitness gym when researchers have found that you can potentially have eight more hours of exercise by walking your dog. Not only are you getting your recommended daily exercise but by walking your dog you are getting fresh air which is fantastic for your health and well-being. Researchers have found that dog owners on average walk for 24 minutes, twice a day. This is a total of 5 hours, 38minutes a week. Additionally dog owners on average take their dogs on three long walks a week, adding a further 2 hours 33 minutes to their walks. On the other hand on average gym members spend approximately 1 hour 20minutes exercising a week. Over 47% of non-dog owners do no exercise whatsoever.
The study included 5,000 UK residents, 3,000 of which were dog owners. Out of the 2,000 interviewed 57% saw dog walking as their main form of exercise. some people may have expected this percentage to be higher however as dog owners are typically fit and healthy they tend to partake in other outdoor activities also. For example, dog walking is great exercise however it is not an intense cardio work out which a run or cycling may provide you with. However, more than 85% of dog owners would rather go for a hike with their dog than attend the gym. Just the cost of joining the gym is enough to put off even the keenest of sport fanatics. As a contrast only 16% state that they enjoy the gym.
A spokesperson for the dog walkers in the survey said "Owning a dog makes us more healthy. The Government recommends 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise 3-5 times per week and it's encouraging to see that dog walkers are exceeding this target and enjoying it at the same time."

Do you enjoy taking your dog for a walk and enjoy the exercise you gain from it? Why not discuss with other local people where you go for walks and suggest popular footpaths and routes in beautiful countryside such as the Lake District so that you and your dog can get the best out of walking. Visit the Dog Breeder Forum today.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1231262/How-walking-dog-beats-going-gym-It-gives-EIGHT-hours-exercise-week.html, 27th November 2009