Impact of dog sports participation on quality of life, dog owner relationship, and physical activity in women.

INTRODUCTION: Differences in physical activity or perceived quality of life between dog owners and people without a dog were observed previously. However, the differences between dog pet owners and dog owners participating in dog sports are not well analyzed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the differences in quality of life, dog owner relationship, and physical activity in female dog owners participating in dog sports compared with female dog owners with no dog sports history. METHODS: A total of 162 women participated in this study (90 women with regular trainings and competitions in dog sports, 72 women with no trainings or competitions in dog sports). All participants completed an online survey consisting of Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale, The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. RESULTS: Results show a higher Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) moderate physical activity in female dog owners participating in dog sports. A significant correlation between dog trainings (minutes per week) and MET vigorous, MET moderate, and MET total was observed, suggesting a contribution of dog sports participation in higher levels of physical activity. Additionally, in female dog owners participating in dog sports, the quality of life correlated with body mass index (BMI) and dog owner relationship. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that dog sports may support an active lifestyle among women, and that among women actively involved in dog sports, the perceived quality of life is positively related to the frequency of shared interactions and the overall strength of the dog owner relationship. This aligns with previous evidence that dog-sport competitors are highly driven by intrinsic motivations, such as the enjoyment of shared activities, and strengthening of the human-animal bond. Future research including objective measures of physical activity, and more diverse samples will allow better understanding the health and well-being implications of participation in dog sports.