Impact of Dog’s Age and Breed on Dog Owner’s Physical Activity: A German Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Dog ownership contributes positively to physical activity (PA). The impact of different dog breeds and age on PA is less investigated in longitudinal studies. This study aimed to evaluate PA changes in dog owners as their dogs’ ages increased and to explore whether there are differences in PA between owners of different breeds over a three-year period. Owners of different dog breeds were categorized into nine groups according to the perceived energy level and size of the breed. PA was monitored using an online questionnaire for three consecutive years. Linear mixed models (LMM) showed a small, but significant decrease in total PA, leisure time walking, dog-related PA and dog walking over three years. No decreases were found if only participants who attended at all time points were included. In all LMM analyses, a significant relationship between the dog breed and the outcomes of PA were shown. At baseline, dog owners performed different types of activities depending on their dog breed. In conclusion, owners of different dog breeds differ in their types of PA. The study emphasizes that age, size and energy level of the dog does not per se have an impact on dog owners PA.

The Long-Term Influence of Puppy Acquisition on Physical Activity: Results of a 3-Year, Longitudinal, Pilot Study

“…This dimension has been shown to differ between dog breeds [ 62 ] and breed groups [ 63 ]. Significant differences between the dog breed groups exist within each size category used in this study, as previously shown by Hielscher-Zdzieblik et al [ 48 ].…”

“…This can be attributed to the long follow-up period. However, an earlier study with a similar follow-up period reported a dropout rate that was similar [ 48 ]. Other studies suggest that the attrition rate in the current study is in line with other health-related studies [ 93 ].…”

“…Additionally, the participants were asked about dog-related PA and dog walking, in particular, using the same wording as the BSA-F. This technique was also used in previous studies in Germany [ 15 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Pet’s influence on humans’ daily physical activity and mental health: a meta-analysis

“…These results may be based on the owner’s commitment to meet the pet’s needs, which may lead to an increase in the owner’s willingness and frequency to take a walk, even if it is not perceived, as opposed to non-owners. On the other hand, it is possible that dog characteristics, such as age and breed, could influence the relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes ( 92 ). For example, younger dogs may require more physical activity than older dogs, which could demand more attention and owners’ general activity.…”

“…For example, younger dogs may require more physical activity than older dogs, which could demand more attention and owners’ general activity. Moreover, it is known that some breeds have higher exercise requirements than others ( 92 ). Future studies could take into account factors such as age, breed, and dogs’ physical activity needs, and how they influence health outcomes of pet owners.…”