Dog owners report benefits from taking their pets for a walk

FIDO is more than man's best friend - the pooch is also keeping off the paunch.

FIDO is more than man's best friend - the pooch is also keeping off the paunch.

New national research suggests dogs are a major motivator for keeping people active and burning puppy fat off the kids.

But South Australians are the slackest in the country when it comes to walking their four-legged fitness partners, managing only 99 minutes a week.

NSW dog owners spent the longest out with a leash, at 129 minutes.

And 85 per cent of Aussie owners credit their canine for encouraging them to get outside and walk, the Galaxy online poll of 1000 people for pet care range The Advantage Family found.

Half of those with children aged five to 17 said their kids got more exercise and outdoor activity than they would without a dog.

The Australian Companion Animal Council says dog ownership is associated with better heart health, lower stress and depression, and improved social skills and self-esteem in children.

One in three households have a dog.

One of those is Nick Thorne, from Henley Beach, who with his children, Max, 4, and Mia, 6, take the dog for an hour-long walk once a week.

He said he was not surprised that families with a dog get more exercise than families without one

"It's a good excuse. A dog is a great way of getting exercise because you can't say no to the puppy dog eyes."