A new survey has revealed that a whopping seven out of 10 dog owners cite their furry friends as the key inspiration for increasing their physical activity. Conducted among 1,000 dog owners, the study found that an 40% are more motivated by their dogs than they are by family members, with pets out doing celebrities or personal trainers in inspiring exercise.

Dogs are not just good companions but also fitness motivators, according to the research, with almost every respondent acknowledging that their dog spurs them on to be more active. Owners often feel compelled to head outside for a walk when their pooch waits by the door or fetches its lead. Owners who have dogs reportedly engage in an impressive 240 minutes of physical activity weekly, which is significantly more compared to the 180 minutes averaged by those without canine companions.

This research was commissioned by sportswear giant ASICS and aligns with their recent unveiling of Felix the dog as their new ambassador. Felix will be promoting his favourite activities, from leisurely strolls to energetic sprints and playful zoomies.

ASICS’ Gary Raucher expressed enthusiasm about the findings, saying: “No one motivates us to move for body and mind more than our canine friends. Every day around the world, dogs motivate us to lace up, get out and move. Our mission is to encourage as many people as possible to feel the uplifting power of movement.”

“We are delighted to have signed Felix as our official Mind’s Best Friend and share dogs’ infectious love for movement with the world and motivate us all to get out and move for our minds,” he added.

The study also underscored the positive effects of dog walking on mental health, revealing that 80% of people felt less stressed and more joyful after a walk. Dog owners scored an average of 20% higher on overall mental wellbeing indicators compared to those without pets.

Furthermore, dog walking was found to offer significant social benefits, with 72% of owners stating they’re more likely to engage in conversations with others while on walks, leading to 78% believing this enhances their mood.

Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity at Mind, commented: “We have seen how regular physical activity can help support better mental health. However, finding the motivation to move can sometimes be challenging when you’re struggling with your mental health. Who better to help motivate people to move than our canine friends?

“Our belief in the power of physical activity and celebrating our doggy pals aligns perfectly with ASICS’ commitment. “We’re proud to support this campaign and look forward to inspiring people to stay active and move for their mental wellbeing.”