Animal un-attraction

While the issue of 'who let the dogs out?' is all too often at the forefront of the minds of most single men about town, for a significant number of those embarking upon a promising relationship, it can often more be a question of 'who let the dog in'?

New research has found that a significant number of Britons are actively put off a partner or a potential partner by their choice of pet and just as many are likely to head for the door as a result of a dog or a cat being shown too much attention.

Make no mistake about it, pets are a big deal.

Around half of Londoners questioned by the government research body YouGov claimed that they think of their four-legged or winged friend as a part of the family, with 40 per cent of them spending £100 or more on keeping their pet happy and pampered.

While many people find such an attitude to pets not only healthy but also quite endearing and would see dating someone with a dog as a great two-for-one offer, it can also act the other way and actively scare off potential suitors.

Nearly one in three of people are put off by people who sleep with their pets, with this figure no doubt higher when the person in question's best friend is a snake or spider rather than a large, cuddly St Bernard dog, while, in line with the age-old cliché, 39 per cent would be less attracted to someone who owned two or more cats.

Furthermore, 25 per cent would not date someone who kept a reptile while 42 per cent would have second thoughts when it came to a prospective partner who kept spiders for company.

Of course, dating someone who pays more attention to a simple animal than they do to you can be hard work and often rather discouraging but, played well, the situation could work in your favour.

Stopping by her house with a tennis ball or bone for her mutt as well as a bunch of flowers for her can send your brownie-point score into the stratosphere, marking you down as sensitive and thoughtful soul.

Besides, apart from the potential allergy issue, it's hardly a big issue and surely the dating games all about feigning interest in cute but less-intelligent beings.

If after all you decide it’s too much to bear and you know what the likely answer will be to the 'it's me or the dog' ultimatum, hold in there for just one more weekend – offer to take the dog for a walk on your own and, if it really is as great as she makes out, just stand back as a host of girls come flocking round you, some of who will hopefully have a bit more about them.