More people would be encouraged to keep up their fitness by strapping a dog harness onto a canine and going for a walk if there was more economic encouragement to do so, it has been suggested.

Writing for the Telegraph, Peter Wedderburn claimed a "reverse dog licence" could do the trick, which would see owners given money for looking after an animal.

"A small financial incentive could be a useful way of encouraging couch-potatoes to get a dog into their lives, which could be the first step to a new, energetic, healthy lifestyle," he said.

The correspondent cited recent research by pet experts Bob Martin, which found people who have an animal in their home get more exercise than those who do not.

According to the poll, the former work up a sweat for five hours and 38 minutes a week on average, while the latter take 80 minutes of exercise during the same period.

Earlier this year, Tampa Bay Online columnist Kristen Levine suggested going for a walk with a dog could help to maintain "mind, body and soul".