But they remain the most unlucky in love, agreeing with Cheryl Cole that their ‘dog is the only one that they can trust’
Londoners are the most likely to spend time on Facebook rather than socialising in the real world, but new research has shown that with a confidence boost from man’s best friends they are also the most likely to strike up real life friendships.
Podcast - Rex & the City (how owning a dog can help your social life)
More than a quarter of Londoners admit to spending more time on social networking sites that socialising in the real world, compared to one in five in the rest of the country. But more than half of Londoners say that they have made a new friend while taking a walk with their dog, compared to just one third of people in the rest of the UK.
According to new research by the Kennel Club to coincide with the Discover Dogs event taking place at Earls Court on 14 and 15 November, more than nine in ten Londoners say the mere presence of a wagging tail has provided them with the courage or excuse to talk to a stranger – possibly because more than three quarters agree that people with dogs seem more friendly and approachable in a big bustling city.
Despite being able to make new friends with their help of their dogs is seems that Londoners have the most trouble forming romantic attachments. Four in five admit that they find it hard to make romantic attachments in their area (almost double the national average) and only two in ten say that their dog has helped them to find puppy love (almost half the national average).
No wonder then that almost one in five Londoners agree with Cheryl Cole that their ‘dog is the only one that they can trust’ when it comes to relationships and that they are the most likely people in the country to call their dog their best friend.
Not only Londoners think that their dogs can help them to meet people but also believe the following:
· 89 percent of people think dog walking is a great way to exercise
· 87 percent think that dogs can help to reduce stress levels
· 60 percent think that dogs get city dwellers outside
· 78 percent think that dogs can bring people together
Caroline Kisko, Secretary of the Kennel Club, said: “London is clearly a city of dog lovers, so it is no surprise that people are more likely to strike up a friendship or talk to new people when they have a shared love and passion for dogs.
“It is all too easy to spend time at home on social networking sites but this research confirms that dogs enrich our lives in so many ways, helping city dwellers to meet new people, get the exercise that they need and reducing stress levels. It is also clear that they still retain the title of man’s best friend where people might sometimes let us down. At Discover Dogs we can help people to find the right dog for them and to learn how to give them the best possible life, so that we can return the favour.”
For tickets to Discover Dogs please call 0844 581 1381 or visit www.discoverdogs.org.uk
ENDS
5th November 2009
