Report: Results of a survey on the use of canine treadmills
Title: SURVEY ON THE USE OF CANINE TREADMILLS
Source: Endangered Breeds Association
Date: April 24, 2025
Overview
This report summarizes key findings from a dog owners and trainers survey conducted in early 2025, designed to gauge consumer sentiment toward the use of treadmills in conditioning, and to assist in canine health. The survey collected responses from 128 respondents across diverse demographics, using a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions. This is a sampling survey conducted over a one-year period of time.
Key Highlights
- Do you support the use of treadmills for conditioning and/or to assist in overall good canine health?
- 98.44% of respondents answered yes. From the total 128 respondents, breeds other than the American Pit Bull Terrier were referenced in 61 instances (some breeds repeatedly). Other breeds identified were the Great Mountain Swiss dogs, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Shetland Sheep dogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, American Hairless Terriers, Rat Terriers, Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Blue Tick Coonhound, American Staffordshire Terrier, Japanese Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, Bichon, German Shepherd, Borzoi, Golden Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Retriever, Working Border Collies, French Bulldog, American Bulldogs, Poodles, Shiba Inu, Whippets, Dachshunds, Toy Fox Terrier, Patterdale Terrier and Labradors. Some respondents in the survey had owned, showed and worked more than one breed of dog, indicating this equipment is more widely accepted and used outside of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
- If you are an active member of a dog fancier’s club, how many of your members use this type of equipment.
- 46.88% of respondents stated that over 20 of their club members also use this equipment. This further indicates that the higher use of treadmills within many different breeds of dogs is actively accepted and used; much more so than the total of 128 respondents. Only 14.84% state that the equipment is not used at all within their clubs/organizations.
- Do you endorse and/or prefer what type of treadmill?
- 60.16% of respondents endorse all types of treadmills listed (electric, free spinning, carpet, hydro/water). This substantiates the fact different types of treadmills are used for different purposes. A sample of qualifying comments state the use is for K-9 conditioning, muscle rebuilding after surgery, release of excessive energy of the dog (behavioral issues) and for exercise during inclement weather.
- Why do you use a treadmill for your canine?
- 63.28% of respondents utilized the equipment for all purposes listed (wind for distance and stamina, muscle development, and general exercise) with only 9.38% not utilizing this equipment at all. This substantiates the equipment is used and accepted for many purposes within many different breeds.
- How often do you use this type of equipment?
- 47% of respondents use this equipment 3-5 times per week; 19.53% once per week; 13.28% daily and 11.72% never use the treadmill. This indicates the equipment is used at a high rate and on a very regular basis.
- Have you encountered any negative feedback about the use of this equipment?
- 6% of respondents did not experience negativity from the use of treadmill; 25.94% respondents stated they had experienced negativity from the use of treadmill. From the 28 comments, negative experiences included but were not limited to the following:
+From closed minded people who have no idea of the benefits of this type of equipment offers.
+I Educate them and teach the proper way to use.
+People that don’t understand the equipment, or that don’t properly exercise their dogs. Most of those have unhealthy and obese dogs.
+Animal control finds it concerning but they did understand when I showed them what a champion show dog should look like and the rehab plan for my girl with surgery
+I have never heard any negative feedback on the use of this type of equipment for canines.
+Many people have been conditioned to correlate the use of treadmills with dog fighting, but more and more people are starting to understand that the treadmill is no more than a piece of equipment used for exercise for many breeds of dogs.
+I don’t use them but I no problem if others use them
+From a local rescue as their dog I was working with one of their dogs who needed a safe outlet but because some places still consider a treadmill dog fighting paraphernalia, they didn’t want to use any sort of treadmill to exercise a dog who could not safely be walked.
+Not really, some do not think it is a good idea, but I live in an area where it is regularly over 100 degrees, and you cannot condition any other way
+Although I hear its illegal paraphernalia?
+If I had any other breed of dog, it is looked at in a different light. But I become grouped into a negative stereotype when the breed is brought into the conversation.
+People in social media that do not understand
+Many Doberman people use scooters to exercise their dogs – I think footing (like blacktop) is detrimental and only dirt footing or turf should be used as footing
+It never occurred to me that people took issue with the use of treadmills. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since people seem to take issue with just about everything these days.
+They just assume it’s cruel
+The city I previously lived in thought I was doing illegal stuff due to having a mill
+But you hear all the time if you have an APBT that you are a dog fighter which is wrong.
+Sometimes until I politely educate them, and they become advocates themselves.
+The only negative feedback was when someone didn’t understand that the mill only runs the dog’s own power and does not turn off the dog doesn’t make it turn, You cannot force a dog to turn a free spinning mill
- Demographic Insights
- The survey results show participation by those who have experience with numerous other breeds of dogs in addition to the American Pit Bull Terrier.
- Areas for Improvement
- The survey needs to expand with additional questions that will help quantify some answers within the study. It would be helpful to be able to correlate breed with association to negativity. This would better identity what we know to be equipment and breed bias as it relates to the American Pit Bull Terrier. Another area to identify would be what type of conditioning the treadmill is used for (show, work, performance, agility, general exercise, exercise due to inclement weather, rehab etc.).
- Actionable Takeaways
- Recreate the survey on our organization’s website to include additional questions as needed. Identify ways to obtain more participation from working dog groups such as Search and Rescue, Police K-9 etc. Additionally, contribution is needed from the general non-dog-owning public to ascertain how successful the some prominent dog organizations have been regarding untruthful propaganda regarding the overall use of various types of canine treadmills.
Conclusion
The survey reveals canine treadmills of all types is not only more widely accepted, but used by breeds other than the American Pit Bull Terrier, but the equipment is used on a very consistent basis. Almost half of the respondents indicated that 20 or more of their club members also utilize the equipment at a rate of 3-5 times per week, substantiating wide acceptance within all dog fanciers. Also, all types of treadmills are accepted and used for a variety of purposes. The survey further substantiates there is misinformation shared by some dog organizations who identify this solely with dog fighting and the American Pit Bull Terrier.
After adding additional questions that have been identified as required to further quantify and correlate data, the survey will continue to be promoted for its’ expansion of respondents and collected data.
