A dog could be the key to finding your love online - even if it isn't your own pet.
According to new research by pet care marketplace Rover, Brits are more likely to match with someone whose online dating profile includes a dog.
So if you're struggling on the quest for romance, a picture of your favourite furry friend could help you out - and if it's a golden retriever, even better.
Rover recently surveyed more than 1,000 pet owners who had used dating apps and found that over three quarters (76%) of them would be more likely to match with someone who featured a dog in their photos or bio.
Over half of single pet parents (51%) confessed to including a dog in their dating profile to increase their chances of drawing in a potential match.
And over a quarter (24%) had no shame in admitting they have featured a dog that wasn't their own, in order to spark a conversation with a love interest.
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The research narrowed down dog breeds to work out which pup is the real-life furry Cupid.
Golden retrievers ranked in first place and were crowned the breed most likely to positively influence matches.
Labradors, cockapoos, cocker spaniels and border collies also ranked in the top five.
Adem Fehmi, Canine Behaviourist at Rover, commented: “It’s no surprise that having a picture of a dog in your dating profile can boost your chances of meeting a partner and forming a connection.
"Showing love for a pet is an attractive quality as it can indicate personality attributes such as kindness.
A dog even helped Adem find his wife online.
"I met my wife on a dating app where I demonstrated my love for dogs on my profile and she was a huge animal lover - so from a first-hand perspective, these pictures do help form a connection," he said.
Adem added that it's important to treat our canine companions as family members, "not just a cute prop to attract attention, or a date".
Of the pet parents surveyed, more than a third (36%) went on a 'doggy date' the first time they met - and one in 10 claimed it was such a success, they are still dating that person now.
