Nearly half of dog owners would not date someone their dog did not like, a survey reveals.

Forty-five per cent said if their pooch didn’t warm to a new date they would stop seeing them.

The Kennel Club quizzed 2,000 dog lovers durng the survey.

And two in five people said they would go out with someone who had a dog.

Onine daters admitted they scoured background pictures to see if dogs were part of people’s lives.

The Kennel Club said the research highlights the “unbreakable bond” between humans and dogs.

Owners rely on a dog’s instinct when choosing partners and friends.

Bill Lambert, a spokesperson for the Kennel Club said:

“Clearly there are many benefits of dog ownership, from being an ice-breaker when meeting new people.

“It’s worth remembering the similarities to human relationships; a canine counterpart is also looking for long-term commitment, which comes with compromises and changes to your life.

“And there are 222 different dog breeds in the UK with varying needs and traits, as well as distinct, individual personalities, so finding ‘the one’ takes time.”

The survey also revealed for many people their dog is their best friend.

A quarter said they prefered their dog to their partner.