London - As man’s best friend, it should come as no surprise.
Dogs, it seems, really are good for friendship – with owning one adding an average of three chums to your social circle.
Sharing casual greetings, anecdotes and tips on canine care all help to open new doors socially, a survey has found.
The average dog walker passes the time of day with four people on a typical stroll – two of whom were classed as good friends.
Each time they stop, they have an eight-minute chat, often discussing their pet’s ailments, eating habits or grooming routine.
Nearly two thirds of dog owners have made up to five new friends, said the poll of 1 500 people, which was carried out to mark the Christmas DVD launch of The Snowman and The Snowdog.
Walks and puppy training sessions were the most popular places to strike up a friendship.
A quarter of respondents said hat they only really mix with “doggy people”. And 42 percent admitted they were suspicious of adults who did not own a dog.
Psychologist Dr David Lewis said: “Dogs provide a perfect excuse for conversing with strangers. Owning a dog can prove especially beneficial for anyone whose social anxiety usually makes it hard to strike up a conversation with new people.
“My studies reveal many friendships, and even a few lifetime romances, only started because two owners stopped to chat about their pooches.” - Daily Mail