BEWARE OF THE DOGS!

As researchers warn having a hound may be more of a burden than a blessing, trainers reveal why the rise in popularity of certain fashionable breeds can lead to disappointment... and even "cocker-rage"

- By Karen Rockett

THEY say a dog is a man's best friend - but even friends can become tiresome. Researchers have found canine owners are "not always happier and healthier" than people without a pooch because, as all dog owners know, it's not just a walk in the park.

The study to determine whether owning a dog is beneficial for a person's physical, mental and emotional health found the experience to be "both a joy and a burden", among the 246 participants. The dog owners, all from Hungary, mentioned an array of challenges in 33 statements including that "dogs need to be trained" and can "bring mess and dirt into the house" while some said being in charge of a canine can "lead to conflict with non-owners and neighbours".

Britons rushed in their droves to acquire a pet during the pandemic, seeking four-legged companionship to ease the effect of lockdowns. But charities say they have noted an increase in the amount being abandoned - the Dogs Trust reported local authorities dealt with 27,123 strays, either rescued from the streets or relinquished by their owners, between 2022 and 2023. That's an increase of more than 10,000 on 2020-2021.

So what can be done about it?