WE TAKE LEAD WITH DOGGY DATING

SINGLETONS have been told to get a dog to boost their chances of finding love.

A report has shown 75% of people with a four-legged friend are either married or in a relationship.

But it’s ruff for those without a pet – just 54% of those polled had a partner.

According to website rover.com, who quizzed 1,000 pet owners and 1,000 nonowners about their love lives, 47% of singles had used a dog to get a date.

And the team at matchmaking app Happn also reckon profiles featuring dogs get the most interest.

Eugénie Legendre, their dating trends expert, said: “Dog ownership looks attractive because it shows an ability to take care of a life, take the patience, rigour and time to educate and play with them, and also they live with them on a daily basis.

“Having a dog is a big life commitment. So it shows a kind of stability and selflessness, which can be reassuring and comfortable in a relationship or for those looking for one.”

Bulldogs are said to be the best pets to pull with.

I headed out to see if the British breed really could be bloke bait.

As a single girl, I’ll give anything a go in a bid to find my pawfect man.

I borrowed adorable Maddie from a friend and went out to see if we could find my furry-tail ending.

First stop was the park, and I have to say Maddie is quite the head turner.

“Cute dog”, shouted one jogger as he ran past. Sadly, he was wearing a wedding ring.

It wasn’t long before we got chatting to another runner, David Bromley, 36.

David doesn’t have a dog but he agreed that having one could make a potential partner more attractive. He said: “It’s a nice quality, because it shows the person has a caring side and that there’s more to them than just thinking of themselves.”

But poor Maddie got the thumbs down. He said: “I’m sure she’s a lovely dog, but she wouldn’t attract me to someone. She’s not very feminine looking.”

Our luck changed when we stopped for a drink at The Shop in Kensal Rise, north London, and got chatting to photographer and barman Jack Owen, 22.

He agreed with the idea dogs make perfect pulling companions. And his eyes lit up when he spotted Maddie. He told me: “She’s gorgeous. I love her expressions.

“I’d be more inclined to ask a woman on a date if I saw her with a dog – purely so I could get closer to the dog!”

He was soon tickling Maddie’s tummy as she gazed at him with her puppy-dog eyes – what a fur-lirt!

I was left staring into my wine glass, wondering if I should leave them to it. Sadly for Maddie I was calling the shots, so I made my excuses and we headed off. Maddie one, Izzy none so far. Just as we were about to give up hope a voice yelled: “Hey, that’s not your dog!”

I looked up and a guy in a suit was running towards me. Wow, that worked fast. Maybe there was something in this muttowning malarkey…

Sadly it was Maddie he was after, not me. He was her owner’s brother and was wondering why I was parading her up and down the street.

But after convincing him not to call the police, Daniel Lichman, 41, said he would definitely be more attracted to a woman with a pooch.

He said: “It shows she has a kind heart and values loyalty. It’s also a brilliant ice breaker.”

I might not have met the man of my dreams but, I have to say, having a dog is definitely a great way to get conversations started.

Yet with Maddie getting most of the attention, I might need a more carefully chosen companion in future.