Why exercise is so important

Dog owners know how much their canine companions adore sharing an afternoon jaunt or dashing after a ball in the park. But exercise is much more than just huge fun, it's also doing your dog a whole lot of good.

A good exercise program will help keep your dog from becoming overweight, which has been linked to heath problems such as heart disease, respiratory difficulties and arthritis in dogs. Regular exercise will also expand your dog's lung and heart capacity, and will help give her good stamina and lots of all round energy.

The well-exercised dog is less likely to get bored and restless and develop troublesome traits, such as digging, barking and chewing. Exercise causes the release of endorphins in the brain. These are chemicals that give your dog a great feeling of well-being. And what better way to keep her content than with a natural high.