Doggy mileage

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Friday 11th February 2011: New research out today has revealed that dog owners walk 23,739 miles during their pet’s lifetime – with the average dog owner walking up to 1,855 miles per year(1).

The figures which emerged in a study of 3,000 dog owners by esure pet insurance, shows that the average person walks their dog for 8 hours and 54 minutes a week, covering just under 36 miles in the process.

This is nearly 24,000 miles in total – the equivalent of walking up and down the United Kingdom 35 times - across the average dog’s lifetime of 12.8 years.

The study shows that the average dog is taken on two long walks a day of approximately 47 minutes, and one short walk of about 13 minutes - covering just over seven miles in the process.

According to the survey, usual walks often include a visit the local park (42 per cent); a walk around the neighbourhood for two-fifths (41 per cent) and a third like to let their dog run through the woods (35 per cent).

Other popular dog walking routes include the countryside (25 per cent), the local fields (22 per cent) and down by the seafront (13 per cent).

Nikki Sellers, Head of Pet Insurance at esure, said: “These research results are incredible, particularly as they are based on the average owner walking their dog for five days of the week, rather than seven.

“But walking the dog has enormous benefits – not only for the health of the animal but for the health of their owner as well. We’re fairly sure dog owners walk far more than other people.

“However, it is disappointing that many dogs aren’t being walked every day of the week, as this is crucial for their development and stimulation.”

Despite the staggering distances dogs and their owners cover during their dogs’ lifetime, 67 per cent of owners believe their dog would like to go on more walks, and 41 per cent think they should make the effort to get out of the house with them more often.

Just over a quarter of folk admit to worrying about the long term health of their dog if they don’t get walked enough and half of people blame their hectic and busy lifestyles for the fact that they don’t walk their dog for the full seven days a week.

But a resounding 78 per cent of people claim to thoroughly enjoy walking their pooch whenever they can. More than half of those polled say that walking the dog is their own main form of exercise - with nearly half (46 per cent) neglecting to do anything else to improve their own fitness levels.

Only 14 per cent of those surveyed said their dog is lazy, and 15 per cent say walking the dog is one of the worst things about owning one.

Nikki Sellers further commented: “A healthier dog may lead to fewer costly trips to the vet too but for any advice on looking after a dog properly, owners should seek professional help. esure pet insurance customers can call its 24-hour ‘Health and Wellbeing’ line where veterinary professionals are available to offer advice and tips on all aspects of pets’ health.”

BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS

                                                                        

 

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esure’s press contacts:
Asia Yasir, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305 Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000 Email: pr@esure.com Website: www.esure.com

Notes to Editors: (1) SWNS conducted an online research survey via Onepoll which interviewed a random sample of 3000 adults aged 18+ who own a dog between 17th January – 21st January 2011.