Non it is a mystery that dogs, In addition to being super faithful companions, are also capable of enriching life of their humansfacilitating socialization and meeting with other people during walks. However, a recent 2025 research has highlighted a further, precious benefit of coexistence with these wonderful animals: their powerful influence as a motivator to physical activity.
Physical activity: the dog encourages his human
A dog in the house therefore, it seems that, in addition to the countless and best known advantages, It also proves to be a remarkable incentive to spend time in the open airto move and practice sports or exercise regularly. The study Mind’s Best Friendrequested by the Asics sports brand, investigated the role of dogs in depth as catalyst of the movementanalyzing the consequent impact on the fight against sedentary lifestyle. The research involved a sample of 28,000 individuals from 14 different nations: Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, China, Japan and Brazil. In each country, the sample was representative of the population by age groups and gender, consisting of 1,000 dog owners and 1,000 people without dogs.
The Italy case: the main dogs source of motivation for physical activity
The results relating to Italy, substantially in line with those of the other countries involved, highlighted that, for 64% of the owners, The dog represents the main reason to devote himself to physical activity. This percentage far exceeds the motivation exercised by friends or family (40%) or by the presence of a personal trainer (7%). An interesting fact also emerges from those who do not have a dog: 64% of this group, believe that adopting one would increase their level of physical activity. The research also reveals that those who have a dog, in terms of time dedicated to exercise, reaches on average the 180 minutes per week, against the 120 minutes of those who do not have it. The opinion of the owners themselves confirms these data: 81% agrees that having a dog favors greater movement, e Over half (55%) indicates their friend as the main reason for their walks, races or jogging.
In addition to being faithful companions, dogs prove to be effective personal “coaches”, encouraging their masters to walk (pexels)
Benefits for mental well -being
The increase in physical activity, thanks to the presence of a dog, it also translates into significant advantages for mental well -being. Those who have adopted a dog report a greater feeling of happiness, a reduction in stress and a drop in anxiety levels following the exercise shared with their animal. More than four out of five (82%) they say that moving together with the dog improves their psychological well -beingand 83% declare that this contributes to raising mood.
The art of canine persuasion: irresistible requests
A curious aspect that emerged from research, it concerns the difficulty of humans to deny the exit requests of their four -legged friends. After all, the dog uses unequivocal signals when he wants to go out: the most effective to solicit a walk are, according to the Italians: the wait in front of the door of the house (48%) and the initiative to take the leash (41%). As a result, 45% of the owners declare, with a tip of irony, to be “brought” by your dog.
The dog as “influencer”
The results of the study inspired an innovative choice by the historic shoes and sportswear brand. For the first time, The company has decided to include a dog among its ambassadors: Felix, a specimen of white Samoiedoknown on social media as Felix The Samoyed and particularly loved by the web audience. The brand He is the first to officially recognize dogs as real “influencers”capable of motivating millions of people to move for physical and mental well -being. Felix will become the main “spokesperson” of this initiativepromoting the love for walks, the race and the “zoomies”.
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