With the 2012 Games well underway, new research by the Kennel Club shows that a staggering sixty percent of Brits think they are LESS active this year than last. Surprisingly, less than one percent of Brits are inspired by Olympic role models.

The research, carried out by the Kennel Club ahead of its International Agility Festival, taking place at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire in August, found that just four percent of people feel the 2012 Games has inspired them to get fit. However, 50 percent of dog owners claim that their dog inspires them to get more active. 58 percent of people with dogs exercise more than four times a week compared to one in five non-dog owners. Furthermore, 8 out of 10 people say having a dog makes them walk more. Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “We feel that this new research demonstrates the impact that having a dog can make to owners’ health and fitness. Being a dog owner involves lots of walking, and a third of dog owners use walking their dog as a main form of exercise.

“We were shocked to see the dramatic decline in people who are active this year compared to last year. We expected to see the opposite in the run up to the Games, where people would be expected to take more interest in sports and fitness.”

Olympic swimming ace Sharron Davies and fitness guru Rosemary Conley back the Kennel Club’s Get Fit with Fido Challenge to encourage dogs and their owners to get fit together.

Sharron Davies said, “People are leading more and more sedentary lifestyles which is having a worrying effect on people’s health. The most important thing when exercising is to do something fun that you will stick to, so working out with your dog is an ideal solution.”

The winner of the Get Fit With Fido challenge will be announced at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival which takes place from 10 – 12 August at Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire. Thousands of dogs will compete across 17 agility rings over the three days, jumping and weaving their way round the various courses. Anyone can come along to watch on the day – entrance is free with a £5 parking fee.

Find out more about the Get Fit With Fido initiative.