Friday Poll: How long do you spend exercising your dog daily?

We know that some breeds are definitely more active than others. A Greyhound is often happy with a couple of brisk half hours walks and some running around / off-lead playtime. A Collie would generally scoff at so little. Age is also a consideration, with the very young and very old requiring less and more gentle activity.

How active is your dog?

Fat to Fitter: Massively obese pooch finds home

Remember porky Patch who I introduced you to in January? Perhaps you recognise the photo of the sizeable six year old Beagle cross who weighed as much as a child of the same age and couldn't even stand up. Although Patch still has a way to go before he can really be called fit, he's certainly made some brilliant progress. The best news of all is that he's found a forever home with new owners committed to helping him continue on his way to good health.

Want to see how far Patch has come? Check out the video below.

Fitness for free with four-legged friends at Dogs Trust Darlington

With pet and human obesity on the rise, there is an increasing number of initiatives in place to try and fight the flab, both human and canine. As well as planned programmes like Active Family, Active Dog, there are plenty of ways to work off the extra summer ice creams and help a rescue dog get out and about.

Volunteers at Dogs Trust Darlington have been making the most of the Co. Durham countryside to improve their fitness by walking, hiking and running with residents from the Rehoming Centre. With room for 65 dogs at any one time, there's a rescue pooch there to suit everyone's fitness level.

Amanda Meeks (pictured) has been one of Darlington's most sprightly volunteers for the past three years. In all weather conditions she pops down to the Sadberge centre to take the most energetic hounds out for vigorous six mile runs across the surrounding countryside.

Tailoring her runs to suit the needs of the canine companions, Amanda's routes taken in local moor land, woods and river banks to give her charges a really stimulating break from kennels. Their confidence and social skills soar along with their fitness, and Amanda has a long-distance running partner that can keep the pace!

There are also rehoming benefits, as Sue Embleton, Dogs Trust Darlington's Centre Manager, explains:

"Some dogs can find kennel life stressful, meaning they find it difficult to settle and show their best sides to potential owners.

The dogs who have had a good run with Amanda are likely to spend the rest of the day relaxing, and this makes them more appealing to centre visitors. We're always trying to think of new ways to enrich the lives of dogs in our care until a new home is found, but nothing beats a good, long run!"

Amanda adds:

"It's a joy to volunteer for Dogs Trust. I get an enthusiastic and entertaining running companion as well as a warm glow from knowing that an overlooked canine is getting a well-deserved adventure."

If you have some pounds you'd like to shift, are interested in adopting a dog or want to volunteer in another role, call Dogs Trust Darlington on 01325 333 114.

Pet Owners Parliament helps launch Active Family, Active Dog campaign

Ryan at Pet Owners Parliament dropped me a line today to let me know that they've reported on our Active Family, Active Dog campaign. It's great that the word is getting out there and people are being reminded of the benefits to health and family dynamics that simply walking a dog can reap.

The Pet Owners Parliament is a free forum for discussing pet topics from dog ownership tests to breed specific legislation and everything in between. It is completely free and voluntary and is a hub for debates, commentary and petitions.

There are several interesting topics being discussed at the moment. Dogs Trust cannot comment on any particular debate and does not necessarily agree with all of the views expressed, but supports the rights of dog owners to discuss the way in which the law affects them. As I said before when writing about Dog Control Orders, telling us how you feel can help us be instrumental in shaping legislation and putting pressure on relevant groups.

Vote for the 21 Top Dog Walks in Britain for 2008

The Top 21 Dog Walks list is back, and open for nominations.

Some studies suggest that the life of an overweight dog is shortened by at least two years. In human terms, this would mean a life expectancy shortfall of 15 years. However, by simply choosing the correct diet and taking your pooch for twice-a-day walkies you can help reduce canine obesity and the risk of related conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, breathing difficulties and diabetes.

Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency, VisitBritain says:

“Pet friendly holidays are increasingly in demand by the British public and are an ideal way to explore the fantastic rural landscapes that we are famous for. We hope that by finding the UK’s 21 top dog walks, it will inspire people to visit a new destination they haven’t explored before. Whether it’s woodland, beach, park, river or canal side, we want to know about it!”

Please visit www.21topdogwalks.co.uk to nominate your favourite walk or to see further details of the 2007 winning walks.

The deadline for nominations is 25th July 2008.

Active Family, Active Dog: Dogs Trust and Joanna Hall launch fitness campaign

Obesity isn't just a problem in people, but in dogs, too. The solution is to eat well and get plenty of exercise, and what better way to solve the problem in both two and four-legged creatures than by exercising together?

Dogs Trust has teamed up with fitness guru Joanna Hall to launch the 'Active Family, Active Dog' campaign and research trial. We're reminding everyone that walking a dog is a great way to:

• Burn calories
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce stress
• Boost your immune system
• Improve your family life
  

Joanna explains: "Research shows that getting families to be more physically active as a whole improves group dynamics, increases family cohesion and significantly increases motivation. We're now asking real families to 'walk out' with a dog and see how they too can get healthy and still have fun together."

So not only will your family be fitter, they'll be happier and more confident too. You can learn more about the Active Family, Active Dog campaign from flyers distributed at the Summer Open Day at Harefield on the 8th of June, where you'll also get a chance to have fun and hang out with dog-loving TV celebs.

If you can't make it, or want to register your email, contact the campaign at activefamilyactivedog@walkactive.co.uk

What is Active Family, Active Dog all about?

Dogs Trust is looking for committed volunteers to sign up to a six-week family fitness and dog walking programme, running from 7th September to 12th October. You don't need to have a dog of your own, but must be willing to introduce one into your home for the six week period. You must also be able to make yourself available for fitness tests, health monitoring and practical active tasks throughout the trial.

Each family will be allocated a specific rescue dog according to their lifestyle and will be responsible for his or her care throughout the six weeks, as well as bringing them to Harefield for weekly updates, tests and activities. Sunday morning sessions from 9am - 12 noon will take place at the centre. Measurements of the benefits of walking your dog will be taken at the start and throughout the trial, along with simple physical and psychological tests to gauge self-esteem, fitness and family cohesion.

If successful, the trial may extend to all 17 Rehoming Centres. Media (photographers and TV) might be present during the trial.