Dogs living in the south east of England and London are more likely to have longer walks than the national average, according to a new survey.

The survey by RSPCA of more than 3,000 dog-owners across the country, showed that 38 per cent of dogs in the south east have a walk of longer than an hour, compared to 35 per cent nationally.

Dogs in London have the best walks as their owners reported that they are most likely to be walked at least once a day with almost half having two strolls a day.

Even though there is less green space in London compared to the rest of the country, dogs in the capital are more likely to be allowed off the lead, play with other dogs and have a ball or toy to play with.

The survey was commissioned in the lead up to the RSPCA’s Big Walkies challenge in October, which invites people to walk 10,000 steps a day, with or without a dog, to raise money for animals in need.

Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA’s dog welfare expert, said: “The results from our survey suggest that where we live has an impact on how we exercise our dogs.

“London dogs in particular appear to have more opportunities to do what many dogs love - playing with other dogs and their owners as well as toys and balls.”