One in five dog owners have found love – after discovering a shared affection for their furry friends.
A poll of 1,000 owners found 20 per cent have introduced their dog to another person in the hope of sparking a romance.
Men are more likely to do this (28 per cent), compared to 16 per cent of women.
Additionally, 23 per cent of male dog owners believe their pet has helped them win a date – compared to 13 per cent of women.
And 62 per cent of all pet owners have been stopped on the street because of their canine companion, with 73 per cent of those enjoying the extra attention they receive.
The research was commissioned by Lottoland.co.uk which is supporting pet welfare charity Blue Cross with a dedicated scratch card and is sharing a special dog-friendly menu that owners can prepare for their beloved pets this Valentine’s Day.
A Lottoland spokesperson said: “Dating apps are rife with selfies with pets, so it’s no surprise that so many people said their dog had helped them find a match.
“ Dogs obviously have the cute factor, but on top of that, a person who clearly loves their pet comes across as caring and compassionate – excellent qualities for a potential date.
“It’s interesting to see how much extra attention a furry face can bring – and how much people love it.”
The research also found 29 per cent of owners have formed long-lasting relationships with others after first connecting about dogs – be that friendship, or romance.
And 41 per cent of those whose significant other also has a pup, believe their own dog had fallen in love with their partner’s.
But 63 per cent think everyone deserves to find true love at some point, even dogs.
Those in the capital are more romantic than most when it comes to their pet’s feelings, as 52 per cent of London owners believe their dog has fallen in love before.
This compares to just 13 per cent in the North West and 15 per cent in the East of England.
Although seven in 10 of those polled, via OnePoll, believe a pup’s relationship with its owner is all the love they need.
It also emerged 28 per cent have even treated their furry friend to something special on Valentine’s Day – buying them a gift or even preparing a nice meal.
And men appear to be the most generous, with 34 per cent treating their pet on the big day, compared to 25 per cent of women.
The spokesperson from Lottoland added: “It’s lovely to see so many are treating their pets on Valentine’s Day while they are out celebrating with loved ones.
“For those who want to do something special for their pets, we hope this gourmet recipe does the trick.
“And for anyone who would like to contribute to Blue Cross to say thanks for the delicious dish ideas, our charity scratch card donates 20p of every pound spent to this fantastic organisation. Bon appetite.”
