Helping their owner stay fit Mitchell Funk/Getty

It may be a dog-eat-dog world, but our furry friends bring at least one important health benefit: getting more exercise. In news that will surprise few dog owners, researchers found that those with pet pooches are much more likely to meet weekly targets for time spent engaging in physical activity.

The UK government’s guidelines recommend that adults spend at least 150 minutes a week doing moderate-intensity activities, such as brisk walking or cycling. But only 66 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women in England achieve that benchmark.

Carri …