Would you dump someone if your dog disapproved? A fifth of London owners would

If you wanna be their lover, you gotta get with their pets, according to a new survey by Tug-E-Nuff.

A survey has found that a fifth of dog owners in London have been turned off and some have even ended a romantic relationship with someone because their dog disapproved.

The poll paints a picture of a city in the grip of animal affection, with 60 percent of dog owners in London admitting it’s important to them to have a partner who gets along with their dog.

More than half (54 percent) added it’s important to them to have a partner who gets along with all dogs.

Younger generations appear to be more likely to seek out a dog-loving companion, with those aged between 18 and 34 almost twice as likely to end things with somebody their dog didn’t like.

The survey, conducted by dog toy company Tug-E-Nuff in conjunction with OnePoll, also looked at whether dogs are not only man’s best friend, but also the ultimate wingman or wingwoman – and, it turns out they are.

More than half (56 percent) of people looking for love in London say they’re more likely to match with somebody if their dating profile includes a photograph of a dog.

According to those polled, dog owners are believed to possess certain characteristics that may make them a better romantic partner than those without a pet.

Half believe that people who own a dog are more caring and friendly than those who don’t, whilst four in 10 reckon they’re more affectionate.

Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds could help those looking for love in London bag the most dates, with a third saying they’d most like a romantic partner who owns this breed.

This is followed by a Labrador (22 percent), Chihuahua (19 percent) and, rounding out the top five, a Corgi (12 percent).

Commenting on the survey findings, Tug-E-Nuff’s Managing Director Danny Nelis-Rouse commented: “We’ve always been barking mad about dogs, but now we know it’s not just the pets that people are falling for; it’s their owners too.

“It’s interesting to see that being more caring, friendly and affectionate – all traits we associate with our favourite four-legged friends – are exactly what people want in a romantic partner.”

The survey also revealed that four in 10 people in London see dog owners as more playful — a trait Nelis-Rouse says reflects its customer base, who often seek new ways to engage and bond with their pets through interactive toys.

“We love seeing dogs and their owners bring out the best in each other,” he added. “It might not always be romantic, but it’s definitely a kind of love we can understand.”