Study finds link between having a dog and girls’ physical activity

The researchers say the study indicates that having a dog in the family could help promote healthy movement behaviour.

Getting a new dog could be linked to young girls spending almost an hour more being active per day, new research suggests (Alamy/PA)

Getting a dog could be linked to young girls spending almost an hour more being active per day, new research suggests.

According to the findings, getting a new dog or losing a family dog is associated with the level of physical activity undertaken by children in the family, with the impact most noticeable in girls.