BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- People having a dog is way healthier than those don't, both physically and mentally, media reports said Tuesday.

People owning dogs are more likely to take exercises than those having none, according to a recent poll of Mars Petcare, a pet food company.

Two thirds of the walks dog owners take each week are attributed to their dogs, according to the poll, in which over 1,000 adults were surveyed.

The survey also showed that 44 percent of dog owners over 65 years old make exercises because of their dogs.

Dogs are a great motivator for doing exercises, said Dr. Sandra McCune, an animal behaviorist and also co-author of the book, "The Health Benefits of Dog Walking for People and Pets".