Hill's Pet Nutrition and national tourism bodies EnjoyEngland, VisitScotland and VisitWales have revealed the UK’s 21 top dog walks following a nationwide search to highlight the importance of mobility for the nation’s dogs. www.21topdogwalks.co.uk

Following a public vote, walks in England, Scotland and Wales all scampered into the top 21 including favourite destinations such as London’s Richmond Park, Brancaster Beach and scenic Loweswater in the Lake District. Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency, VisitBritain says: “It’s great that Britain’s dog owners take such pride in their local areas. Many of us take a break in our own country so we can holiday with our pets and we hope that these 21 walks will inspire people to visit a new destination they haven’t explored before. Whether it’s woodland, beach, park, river or canal side, there’s the perfect walk for you and your dog in Britain.”

Robert Gundry, consumer marketing manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says: “Twenty per cent of dogs in the UK suffer from joint problems and the aim of this campaign was to highlight the importance of gentle exercise, together with a balanced diet to help improve mobility and encourage people to get out and about more with their dogs.”

Walking is great for both you and your pet as it can help ward off depression, reduce stress and manage weight problems. So make sure 2008 is a healthier year for both you and your dog by exercising together – perhaps you could try all 21 top dog walks!

The 21 top dog walks for 2007 are (in alphabetical order):

• Balloch Castle Country Park, Scotland
• Balmedie Beach, Scotland
• Brancaster Beach, Norfolk
• Cherwell Valley, Oxfordshire
• Chesterfield Canal, Derbyshire
• Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale, Lancashire
• Ideford Common, Devon
• Ladderedge Country Park, Leek, Staffordshire
• Langdon Hill Wood, National Trust Golden Cap Estate, Dorset
• Loweswater, Lake District, Cumbria
• Malvern Hills, Worcestershire
• Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Rogerstone, Wales
• Neigh Bridge to Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire
• Northwich Community Woodlands, Cheshire
• Richmond Park, London
• River Tweed, St Boswells, Scotland
• Riverside Trail, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
• Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
• The Downs, Avon
• The Humber Foreshore and Waters' Edge, Lincolnshire
• Wonderful Washlands, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire

The search for the UK’s 21 Top Dog Walks for 2008 is now on. Visit www.21topdogwalks.co.uk to nominate your favourite walk.