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Get walking and raise money for the RSPCA

Did you know that different dog breeds get different lengths of walk? It's great to see that even those breeds who were taken for the shortest walks, still received over 30 minutes of exercise. And of course training and giving mental stimulation can be just as tiring for a dog as a good walk. The important thing is that activity - mental and physical - keeps dogs happy.

Here are the breeds who are given the longest walks:
Top five:
1.Miniature Schnauzers - 72 minutes
2.Cockapoos - 69 minutes
3.Boxers - 65 minutes
4.Beagles - 65 minutes
5.Labradoodle - 64 minutes

Here are the breeds who receieved the shortest walks:
Bottom five:
1.French Bulldog - 31 minutes
2.Staffordshire Bull Terrier - 38 minutes
3. Bichon Frise - 46 minutes
4. Shih Tzu- 47 minutes
5. Lhasa Apso - 50 minutes

Intriguing isn't it? I'm surprised that Border Collies and German Shepherds aren't in the top five. Are there any omissions that surprise you?

If you need extra motivation to get walking, the RSPCA is currently running the My Big Walkies challenge:

Figures reveal that owners walk miniature schnauzers for the longest each day.

New figures released for the RSPCA’s My Big Walkies show that miniature schnauzers enjoy the longest walkies.

Data collected by pet tech company PitPat showed that on average owners in the UK walk their dogs for 57 minutes per day.

Miniature schnauzers were walked the longest with 72 minutes per day, closely followed by Cockapoos with 69, and Boxers and Beagles with 65 minutes of walking.*

The RSPCA is challenging animal lovers who enjoy walkies too to take 10,000 steps every day in June to raise vital funds.

My Big Walkies will raise funds to help the RSPCA continue to rescue animals from heartbreaking cruelty and neglect. It is also a great reminder of the benefits of walking and playing with your dog to keep your pooch happy and healthy - as well as keeping humans fit and active too.

Animal-lovers can sign up to the challenge walking five miles a day which, depending on speed, could be about 100 minutes per day, choosing to walk with or without their furry friends.

Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA’s dog welfare expert, said: “Lots of us know how much our dogs love their walkies. Walking and playing with your dog is a great opportunity to form a strong bond with your pet as well as keeping you both fit and active, and raising money for some less fortunate furry friends.

“My Big Walkies is a big challenge - 10,000 steps is about five miles a day - so some dogs will relish the chance to get out for some extra long walks however those with less active dogs due to age or health for example have the perfect excuse to do fewer steps or leave them at home and enjoy a solo stroll.”

Regionally, Warwickshire owners in the Midlands walked their dogs for an average of 66 minutes, followed by North Yorkshire with 65, Sussex with 61 and Bristol with 60 minutes, and Cambridge with just 41 minutes.

The figures from PitPat, an activity tracker for dogs, also reveal that on average Saturday is the most playful day of the week for owners and their pooches.

If you’d like to get involved, sign up to My Big Walkies on the website, then set up a Justgiving page,choose your target and encourage your friends and family to sponsor you.

Using a pedometer or app on your phone will help to track how many steps you take, and there are plenty of handy routes and walking guides to be found at walksaroundbritain.

For hints and tips and to sign up your doggy, visit mybigwalkies.rspca.org.uk
Everyone who signs up will get £10 off a PitPat activity tracker.

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