Dogs help us get more exercise​​

Dog owners are four times more likely to meet the activity guidelines of 150 mins per week, says a survey conducted in West Cheshire UK, in July-August 2015.
Responses were received from 385 (55.2%) households with 694 (43.6%) participants (total household response rate 30.1% of study area (1280 households)
Nature, 2019(open in new tab)

Dog ownership is of public health interest due to the potential to promote health-enhancing physical activity and improved cardiovascular outcomes. Evidence suggests dog ownership is associated with lower risk of death, and a lower risk of cardiovascular conditions at least in single-person households, where the participant may be more highly obligated to dog walk. It is recommended that adults undertake at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) per week, but this is achieved by only 66% of men and 58% of women in the England, and under 50% of US adults