Surrey-founded dog fitness brand marks 10 years as ‘Canicross’ trend grows across the UK
A Surrey-based business founded by two female entrepreneurs is marking ten years of championing both human and animal wellbeing, as more people across the UK turn to shared fitness activities with their dogs.
DogFit International Ltd was created with a simple idea: exercise should benefit not just people, but their pets too. A decade on, that idea has grown into an international community and reflects a wider shift towards more mindful, outdoor-focused approaches to health and fitness.
A growing trend in dog-and-owner fitness
As traditional fitness habits evolve, there has been a rise in activities that combine physical exercise with mental wellbeing and connection to nature. Increasingly, people are looking for ways to stay active that also strengthen relationships, including those with their dogs.
One activity gaining momentum is Canicross, a form of hands-free running where owners and dogs run together, connected by specialist equipment designed for safety and comfort.
More than just a workout, Canicross offers a holistic approach to fitness, supporting both dog and owner physically while encouraging time outdoors and a deeper connection with nature. For many, it becomes a shared activity that strengthens the human-animal bond, while also creating opportunities to connect with a wider, community-led network of participants.
Over the past decade, DogFit has helped introduce thousands of people across the UK and internationally to the sport, with a strong emphasis on responsible participation and dog welfare.
Built on welfare and wellbeing
At the core of the business is a clear ethos: any activity involving dogs must prioritise their health, safety and enjoyment.
This includes using correctly fitted equipment, building fitness gradually, understanding each dog’s individual needs, and paying close attention to rest, hydration and running conditions. That welfare-first approach has helped shape DogFit’s training programmes and its reputation within a growing sector that brings together fitness, wellbeing and responsible pet ownership.
Female-led growth in an emerging sector
Founded and run by two women with a shared passion for dogs and wellbeing, DogFit has grown from a grassroots idea into a recognised training provider, with certified instructors delivering classes across the UK and overseas.
Its tenth anniversary, coinciding with International Women’s Month, highlights the role of female-led businesses in shaping emerging wellness trends.
Gail Walker, Director of DogFit International Ltd, said:
“When we started DogFit ten years ago, many people had never even heard of Canicross. Our mission was to help people get fitter alongside their dogs, safely and responsibly.
What’s been incredible is seeing how this has grown into something much bigger, a community and a movement that supports both human and canine wellbeing.”
Expanding access through digital training
As interest in the sport continues to grow, accessibility has become a key focus. While DogFit has an established network of trainers, not everyone is able to attend in-person sessions.
In response, the business has launched a dedicated training app designed to make structured, beginner-friendly guidance available to more people.
The app includes a progressive Couch to 5K-style programme tailored specifically for running with dogs, alongside guidance on technique, commands, equipment and welfare. Rather than adapting a standard running plan, it has been developed around the needs of both the owner and the dog.
A community that continues to grow
What began as a niche activity is now firmly established within the UK’s outdoor fitness scene, with a growing community drawn to the physical, mental and social benefits it offers.
As more people look for ways to improve their wellbeing while spending meaningful time with their pets, businesses like DogFit are helping to shape a new kind of fitness culture, one where health, companionship and care go hand in hand.