Man’s best friend is helping Brits who are obsessed with making virtual Facebook friends to get out and find friendship and true love in the real world, according to new research.

A staggering one in twenty dog owners reveal that they have followed Davina McCall’s lead and found love with the help of a canine matchmaker. And even if they haven’t been struck down by puppy love, one in three has formed a new friendship with someone they have met while out walking their dog.

According to new research by the Kennel Club, more than four in five Brits say the mere presence of a wagging tail has provided them with the courage or excuse to talk to a stranger – possibly because two-thirds agree that people with dogs seem more friendly and approachable.

And it seems city dwellers could benefit from a bit of ‘Rex and the city.’ Urbanites are almost twice as likely as their rural neighbours to spend more time on social networking sites than outside finding love and friendship in the real world (20% vs. 13%). Almost half also say that they rarely meet people outside of their existing social group.

But with their dogs there to give them a boost it is Londoners who are given the most confidence to make new friends with 91% saying they talk to strangers when with their dogs and more than half saying this has led to new friendships.

Despite dogs’ talent for helping us to meet new people it seems that our relationship with man’s best friend is often the one to last, with nearly one in five agreeing with Cheryl Cole that their dog is the ‘only one that they can trust’. A further two in five say that their dog is their best friend.

Not only do people think that their dogs can help them to meet people but also believe the following:

• 85% of people think dog walking is a great way to exercise
• 77% think that dogs can help to reduce stress levels
• 48% think that dogs get city dwellers outside
• 66% think that dogs can bring people together

Caroline Kisko, Secretary of the Kennel Club, said: “We are a nation of dog lovers, so it is no surprise that people are more likely to strike up a friendship or meet a new partner with a shared love and passion for dogs.

“This research confirms that dogs enrich our lives in so many ways and, as well as helping us to make new relationships, they still retain the title of man’s best friend."