DOG owners are four times more likely to be physically fit than other people, according to a new study carried out across west Cheshire.

Researchers found that almost nine out of 10 dog owners (87 per cent) achieve at least 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity, compared to less than two-thirds of those who don't have a dog (63 per cent).

The findings, published in the journal Nature, suggest 'man's best friend' is even better for our health than previously believed.

Dr Carri Westgarth, a lecturer in human-animal interaction, said town and city planners should encourage dog ownership when planning residential sites.

It could reduce heart attacks and strokes - especially among older people living alone. Dr Westgarth described the results as 'striking'.

She said: "Overall, the odds of dog owners meeting current physical activity guidelines of 150 mins per week were four times greater than for non dog owners."

In the first study of its kind her team assessed the self-reported physical activity of 191 dog owners, 455 non-dog owners and 46 children from 385 households in west Cheshire.

Dr Westgarth, of Liverpool University, said: "Our findings provide support for the role of pet dogs in promoting and maintaining positive health behaviours such as walking.

"Without dogs, it is likely that population physical activity levels would be much lower.

"The health benefits of dog ownership should be recognised and facilitated through the provision of dog-supportive walking environments and pet-friendly housing; failure of planning and policy makers to provide these may significantly damage population levels of physical activity."

The study found those with dogs walk more frequently and for longer periods. Moreover, dog walking is undertaken in addition to, and not instead of, other physical activities.

What is more the children - 24 boys and 23 girls with an average age of 10 - in homes where there was a dog were also much more active.

Dr Westgarth said: "Children with dogs reported more minutes of walking and free-time activity."

They walked their dogs an average two times during the school week for 40 minutes in total, and once at the weekend for 45 minutes. They also played with it for an average of 205 minutes a week.

The owners themselves exerted themselves with the dog for an average 248 minutes a week thanks to roughly daily walks- on top of any other physical activity.

Almost two-thirds (64 per cent) met the advised weekly minimum of 150 minutes exercise a week - through this alone.

It was mostly done for recreation, health and fitness but 33 (17.6 per cent) did it for transport, 10 (5.3 per cent) for jogging and four (2.1 per cent) cycling.

Dr Westgarth said: "Previous research suggests dog owners are slightly more physically active than those without dogs, but have only studied one household member."

It had been unclear whether time spent dog walking replaced other physical activity - and the researchers found this was not the case.

The results published in Scientific Reports were confirmed by getting 28 of the participants to wear fitness accelerometer devices on their waists - which came up with similar figures.

Dr Westgarth said: "Dog owners were far more likely than non dog owners to report walking for recreation, and amongst recreational walkers walked for longer per week.

Other physical activity undertaken did not differ by dog ownership."

She added: "Dog ownership is associated with more recreational walking and considerably greater odds of meeting physical activity guidelines."

"Policies regarding public spaces and housing should support dog ownership due to physical activity benefits."

It is of public health interest due to the potential to boost exercise and combat cardiovascular disease, said Dr Westgarth.

She said: "Evidence suggests dog ownership is associated with lower risk of death, and a lower risk of cardiovascular conditions at least in single-person households, where the participant may be more highly obligated to dog walk."

The recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per week is achieved by only 66 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women in England - and under 50 per cent of US adults.

Dr Westgarth added: "The findings highlight the role that dogs may have in helping to keep humans healthy."