UK’s Dogs Help Break the Ice
61% of those surveyed stated that they feel more confident when approaching a potential partner when they’re out walking their canine companion.
Most respondents felt their dog gave them more confidence with potential partners because it made them seem more sociable (32%) and caring (30%).
And despite what some people say, dogs are very well-behaved on dates with only 14% of those questioned confessing to embarrassing incidents caused by their dog. And of these, the majority found inappropriate sniffing to be the number one situation which caused red faces all round.
TV vet Matt Brash said: “Dogs, like humans, are very sociable animals whose natural instinct is to hunt in packs, so dogs are always going to be interested in other dogs when out walking and this will naturally prompt conversations and bonding between their owners. Research has shown that owners can actually look like their dogs, and this could be a further reason for owners who already have a common interest to be attracted to each other.
“It’s heartening to think that romances could blossom across the country thanks to the confidence boost owners get from man’s (& woman’s!) best friend,” concludes Matt.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
