Study raises growl from doting dog owners

Pounding the pavement with your pooch may not have the claimed health benefits, according to a new survey.

A Finnish health survey of 21,101 people found pet owners were more likely to suffer from illnesses such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, ulcers and kidney disease than people who did not own pets.

They also smoked more, but drank less, and were fatter, particularly dog owners, according to research reported in the current issue of the PLoS ONE journal.

But Canterbury pet owners disagree with the research. MORE>>

Ya gotta wonder where the hell they did their research. I mean, everyone knows that a pet allows you to feel wanted (those puppy eyes), and protected (okay, so they don't always bark when they need to), and give you more exercise (ya well, I know that draggin you don't the road isn't really relaxing!)