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

SUBMITTER: Hielscher-Zdzieblik B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9137655 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature