AKC Survey Finds Dog Owners Look for Pet Qualities in Partners

This Valentine’s Day, forget boxes of chocolates and roses; take a lesson from Fido.

According to a survey conducted by the American Kennel Club (AKC), nearly 90% of women surveyed find at least one quality in their dog that they would like to see in their partner, while 34% agreed with a statement saying, “If my dog was a man, he’d be my boyfriend!” When the question was posed to men, 33% said that they wished their women shared the canine quality of always being in a good mood, like their pets. 23% of men surveyed agreed that, “If my dog was a woman, she’d be my girlfriend.”

“We know people love dogs, but we conducted this survey to find out just how much this fixation with Fido affected even their interpersonal relationships with other people,” said Gail Miller, spokesperson for the AKC. “Dogs are so important to their owners that they can, in many instances, make or break a relationship. If you really want to please your partner this Valentine’s Day, you might be better off buying chew toys instead of chocolate!”

Additional canine qualities that women look for in men are a good mood, always willing to spend time with you, always up for cuddling on the couch, motivates you to exercise, and 11% for an eagerness to eat your cooking. Men, meanwhile, looked for women who were just as happy to hang out at home as go out, always enthusiastically greeting me when I get home, doesn’t get mad when I watch sports, and being up for anything that I want to do.

The poll also found that when it comes to meeting women, 58% of men said a puppy is a fool-proof babe-magnet in the park (only 25% said a baby is better). Forty-six percent of women said they’d fall for it, and stop to talk to anyone with a cute puppy. Women are also more likely to dress their dogs in dog clothes.

Before you date a dog lover, make sure you like their dog too!

An astounding 66% of dog owners said they wouldn’t even consider dating someone who didn’t like their dog. Furthermore, dating is hard work, but particularly so if one owns a dog. One in seven dog owners (15%) said that their significant other has become jealous of their relationship with their dog. Reasons for the jealousy included, “Because I dedicate so much time to my pet,” (43%); “The dog likes me better,” (33%); “I prefer to cuddle with my dog rather than my mate at night,” (12%); “Things have been tense ever since I did more for the dog’s birthday than my significant other.” (3%).

Best be careful; mess up with a dog lover and you’re bound to end up in the doghouse!