Welsh daters more likely to swipe right on dog owners, reveals new survey

It appears that owning a pooch may actually improve your chances of finding your perfect match in Wales.

A new survey, conducted by interactive dog toy company Tug-E-Nuff, has revealed that four in 10 Welsh people are more likely to match with somebody if their dating profile includes a photograph of a dog.

One in 10 admit they’ve already matched with someone solely because their dating profile included a photograph of a dog.

It turns out that Welsh people believe dog owners possess certain characteristics that may make them a better romantic partner than those without a pet.

Four in 10 believe that people who own a dog are more likely to be caring, responsible and affectionate, whilst a third reckon they may be friendlier and more committed.

Those owning a Labrador could find themselves luckiest in love, with a third of those surveyed admitting they’d most like a romantic partner who owns this breed.

This is followed by a Golden Retriever (27%), Border Collie (16%), German Shepherd (15%), and, rounding out the top five, a Cockapoo (15%).

Tug-E-Nuff’s Managing Director Danny Nelis-Rouse commented: “Our nation has always been crazy about dogs, but now we know how people feel about their owners too. It’s interesting to see that being caring and affectionate – both traits we associate with our favourite four-legged friends – are also considered attractive qualities in romantic partners.

“Our research also revealed that a quarter of Welsh people believe that dog owners are more playful and the team at Tug-E-Nuff would agree with that. Our customers are always seeking out new toys to enjoy with their dogs as well as advice and ideas to enrich the relationships they have with their dogs through play. We love seeing owners and their dogs bring out the best in each other in this way, perhaps not romantically, but it’s good to know we’re not alone in this, to a certain extent!”

Tug-E-Nuff’s top tips to woo your way into a new partner’s pet’s heart

Meeting the pet of a potential romantic partner is an honour – winning them over is another story. Here are Tug-E-Nuff’s top tips for wooing your way into their heart:

1. Don’t be afraid to initiate play because that’s where the magic happens. Playing with interactive toys in particular can help strengthen the human-dog bond. Tug-E-Nuf’s website is packed with game ideas and toy recommendations for all types of breeds, if you need inspiration.

2. This depends on the dog, but we’ll be guided by the human etiquette that tells us staring is rude. So, if their dog is staring at you, don’t take it as an invitation to have a staring contest. Instead, try reaching for their favourite toy and taking the opportunity to connect in a fun, no pressure way.

3. Just like humans, the way to many dogs’ hearts is through food. Go the extra mile and gift their dog treats packaged in a puzzle toy, snuffle mat or dog treat ball like our food dispensing toy The Clam. Just remember to ask their owner if it’s ok to feed them and whether they have any allergies first!