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Functional and recreational dog walking practices in the UK
Carri Westgarth1,2, Robert M Christley1,2, Garry Marvin3
1Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.
Health Promotion International
|May 4, 2020
Summary
Dog walking offers health benefits, but sociological insights into practices are limited. This study identified two types of dog walks: functional and recreational, with implications for promoting wellbeing.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of physical activity
- Human-animal interaction studies
- Public health interventions
Background:
- Dog walking significantly contributes to human physical activity and health.
- Sociological understanding of dog walking practices remains limited, despite differences from general walking.
- Promoting dog walking is recognized as a means to enhance both human and animal wellbeing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct types of dog walks that occur.
- To explore the sociological influencers and experiences associated with different dog walking practices.
- To inform interventions and policies for promoting dog walking to improve human and animal wellbeing.
Main Methods:
- In-depth interviews with 38 dog owners.
- Autoethnographical observation of dog walking practices.
- Qualitative analysis to identify distinct types of dog walks.
Main Results:
- Two types of dog walks were identified: functional and recreational.
- Functional walks, driven by guilt, provide exercise but less owner pleasure.
- Recreational walks offer owner stress relief, are longer, and occur in more desirable environments, often with multiple household members.
Conclusions:
- Factors like time, weather, and environment influence walk type, impacting owner experience and wellbeing.
- Interventions should consider these factors to promote more recreational and beneficial dog walking.
- Policy implications include the need for accessible, safe green spaces to support dog walking.
