NewsBite

Walk that pooch: Nearly half Australian dogs overweight or obese

IT’S time to take a little paws for thought and consider just how pup-lifting our poochy pals can be. So during National Dog Walking Week, take the lead, grab the hound and head out to enjoy some time together.

IT’S time to take a little paws for thought and consider just how pup-lifting our poochy pals can be. So during National Dog Walking Week, take the lead, grab the hound and head out to enjoy some time together.

And this year the message is more urgent than ever, with many canines cooped up in apartments and recent research revealing 40 per cent of dogs in Australia are overweight or obese.

Dog walker Ella Sawyers and her handful at Battersea Park, in Abbotsford. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Dog walker Ella Sawyers and her handful at Battersea Park, in Abbotsford. Picture: Justin Lloyd

MORE NEWS:

Jihadi Bonnie and Clyde guilty of terror plot

Aussies who became Scottish lords and ladies

Mum’s chilling ‘stalker’ post before murder

Paw to the Floor dog walker Ella Sawyers, 29, said her business was thriving as a result.

“Sometimes people don’t have an outdoor space or they’re super busy but want their dogs to get as much exercise as possible,” she said.

“But there’s also a social aspect for dogs too.

“When dogs walk on their own they don’t get as much exercise … when they’re together they roll around and play,” she said.

Dog walker Ella Sawyers: “Our motto is there’s never a dull moment.” Picture: Justin Lloyd
Dog walker Ella Sawyers: “Our motto is there’s never a dull moment.” Picture: Justin Lloyd

Ms Sawyers said it was rewarding to see dogs connect with each other during group walks.

“It’s really cute, sometimes they get on really well with each other,” she said. “And it doesn’t matter on the size.

“I walked a staffy puppy called Zeus and a doberman called Fletcher together recently.

“They loved each other, it’s really rewarding.

“Our motto is there’s never a dull moment. There’s always something exciting happening.

“We match dogs up with who we think will work — some are more chilled than others.”

Download The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone or tablet to get the full story.

APPLE: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR iOS

GOOGLE PLAY: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR ANDROID

The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone and tablet is a crackerjack way to read the stories that matter most to you
The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone and tablet is a crackerjack way to read the stories that matter most to you

WHAT YOU GET WITH OUR APP

Live and latest news — Get the news as it breaks 24-hours a day, 7 days a week

My News — Your own personal news feed. Tailor your news to get straight to the topics that matter to you

Today’s Paper — Read the paper anytime, anywhere with the digital replica of the paper, as its printed

Notifications — Be the first to know when big stories break with instant news alerts straight to the locked screen on your smartphone and tablet

Live Sport Scores — Stay on the ball with NRL and AFL live sport scores and expect analysis

Share — Join the conversation and share your favourite stories via Facebook, Twitter or email

Daily puzzles — With new crosswords and Sudoku puzzles every day, there’s always something to keep your mind active

Subscribe Through the app (via iTunes) to start your 30-day FREE trial; then your subscription will automatically renew to $29.99 per month.

FIND OUT MORE HERE ►

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook News // Facebook Sport // Facebook SuperCoach NRL // Facebook Sydney Confidential // Facebook Live Streaming // Twitter News // Twitter Sport // Twitter SuperCoach NRL // Twitter Sydney Confidential // Instagram Daily Telegraph

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/walk-that-pooch-nearly-half-australian-dogs-overweight-or-obese/news-story/51a74955710da7ba88308a08cd39d848