There are many different ways that pet owners and their pooches can keep fit in tandem and having a dog can also provide the motivation that some need to actually go out and exercise.

Secretary of the Kennel Club Caroline Kisko said activities such as dog agility – where the owner guides their pooch around an assault course – can be a fun way to stay in shape for both owners and pets.

"Every breed of dog has its own set of characteristics and lifestyle requirements, which is why it is vital to fully research a breed before deciding on a dog," she continued.

According to recent research conducted by the University of Liverpool, pooches that lose weight have an improved quality of life, which should see more people looking to exercise with their companion.

Postal Audits has donated £20,000 to help fund a role within the charity's companion animal science department, which is looking at how to work with pooches with aggression or other behavioural issues.

Managing director of Postal Audits Derek Fairhurst said that the "startling fact" is that at least eight people have been killed in the last four years by dogs, while over 200 more have been seriously injured.

Head of the RSPCA's companion animal department James Yeates added: "It is heart-breaking to have to deal with the fall-out of poor dog ownership and this donation will help us make a real difference to tackling this problem."

Lord Taylor of Holbeach recently suggested that a number of measures were close to being announced in order to try and deal with the problem of dangerous dogs in the UK.

The group that makes drugs for both animals and humans stated that turnover in the six months to the end of December had grown nine per cent to £209.5 million and underlying pre-tax profits were up three per cent to £14.3 million.

Dechra said the overall economic environment will continue to pose challenges, however, overall market growth continues to exceed pre-year expectations, which is encouraging.

“People are still spending the money on their animals. In our key subsidiaries we are still getting about three per cent growth, but the pharmaceutical side is the strong driver," the group's chief executive Ian Page added.

Lavishly spending on animals is not new though as it was recently revealed that some pet insurance subscribers have to ensure their animal is comfortable some by spending up to £3,000 on designer dog houses.

Lynfa Evans' chickens – Psycho and Oven-Ready – were originally stolen by youths from her garden last month and eventually ended up at a rescue centre 160 miles away.

The birds were being held in a rabbit hutch for more than a week before escaping and were picked up by the RSPCA, Wales Online reports.

“To be honest, I hadn’t slept for quite a few nights worrying about my chickens. They’re pets so I’m very fond of them. They won’t be having another holiday this year now they’ve been to Stoke-on-Trent," Ms Evans continued.

Ms Evans' chickens had a lucky escape and recent figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that showed over 50 per cent of Class A eggs in 2011 were laid by cage-free hens proves they are not the only fortunate ones in the UK.

The survival-themed mail will be dropping through donors' letter boxes this month and it tells the real-life story of two dogs that were trapped on a remote Welsh mountain until being rescued and brought to the Dogs Trust.

It will also feature a letter from Beverley Price, rehoming centre manager at Dogs Trust in Bridgend, where the pooches were taken after being found.

“We wanted to remind supporters how they contribute to the food, comfort and specialist rehabilitation rescued dogs may need in order to nurse them back to full health and happiness," marketing director at Dogs Trust Adrian Burder said.

The Dogs Trust cares for around 16,000 dogs at its nationwide network of 17 rehoming centres, which is why the need for capital is so great.

Historically legislation has classed pooches as property rather than live animals, which is being questioned by a compensation claim being prepared by Rajat Sharma on behalf of a family in London.

At the centre of the legal battle is UKPower Networks, which is alleged to have laid a lamppost cable that was too shallow and without sufficient protection. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council's Highways Department is also accused of failing to make adequate checks.

“Current legislation does not adequately support the one in three families in the UK who are pet owners and requires a modern-day challenge," Mr Sharma told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

In 2010 a pooch in Denver, Colorado, was killed by electrocution while walking along the street with her owner.

A specially commissioned oil painting of the winning dog will be painted by talented young canine artist Amelia Siddle and given to the owners of the winners to complete an incredible four days.

Ms Siddle said she feels incredibly privileged and honoured to be able to paint the Best in Show at Crufts and hopes it will be the first of many she is allowed to.

"Over the years I've painted various different breeds across all seven of the groups, so am really excited about taking on this job no matter what breed comes out on top," she continued.

Crufts will be taking place from March 8th to 11th.

The force in the area has received a number of angry complaints from residents about pooches fouling the town and leaving the mess for people to potentially step in.

There is a sign in the town warning dog insurance policyholders that if they do not clean up the mess their animal leaves they could incur a £1,000 fine but this is having little impact.

PC Hazel Anderson told the Wiltshire Times she has had to deal with lots of complaints from concerned locals regarding the "disgusting" mess seen on the streets in the town recently.

"What I want to do is remind dog walkers in the town that it is their responsibility to clean up after their pets for the health and safety of the people in Corsham," she continued.

The problem of dogs fouling in public areas is not just a Corsham-wide problem as councillors in Kirklees recently suggested they would support a number of dog exclusion zones in public areas to crack down on unwanted pooch mess.

People will be able to find out who in their area is in with a chance of taking the prestigious title by contacting the Kennel Club press office or emailing in to try and get an idea of what the competition might be.

As well as the Best in Show final, dogs and their owners will also be competing in a variety of competitions and events designed to keep all pet insurance subscribers involved throughout the four days.

"Competitors from all over the UK will descend on the NEC, as well as from nearly 40 other countries across the globe, to take part in our world famous celebration of all things canine," communications director at the Kennel Club Caroline Kisko said.

This year's Crufts will take place from March 8th to 11th and will be the 121st competition.

The household appliances giant donated a new washing machine and tumble dryer to ensure that animals at the centre weren't left in the cold during these winter months.

Wood Green The Animals Charity's community fundraiser Caroline Wheeler said as a charity it receives no government funding and the generosity of Indesit's Factory Graded Centre in Peterborough will be put to good use in its new education centre.

Indesit's centre retail manager Jayne Tinkler added: "By donating these products to Wood Green we are able to ease the issue of wet and dirty blankets which is a pleasure.”

Wood Green is one of the UK's leading animal welfare organisations, having been taking in creatures of all shapes and sizes since being established way back in 1924.