Dating apps can be swimming with creepy people and cheaters. So, when you see a decent guy who also has a dog, you're definitely swiping right.
One bachelor's right swipes increased "tenfold" since he added pictures of his puppy to his online dating profile.
Dom Dickinson turned to online dating after splitting up with his girlfriend in 2016. However, he had limited success until he uploaded selfies posed with Oscar, his new four-legged friend.
But the surge in interest has left Dickinson asking, “Is it me or my dog that she's attracted to?"
“I've used Tinder, Bumble and Hinge dating sites on-and-off for about three-and-a-half years, ever since I split up with my ex-girlfriend," he said.
“Then, as soon as I uploaded pictures of me and Oscar to my profile when I first got him, the female attention went crazy. I ended up with about 10 times as many matches as I'd been getting before – which is great."
“Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the extra attention, but I do often wonder if it's me or the dog women are after," he continued.
“It's not me or my money that are attracting the women, it's Oscar!"
Describing himself as a “single dad" to his pup said it was “love at first sight" between them.
“People underestimate how much you can bond with a dog – it terrifies me how much I love him – he's my absolute life," he said.
“He just gives me those puppy dog eyes, literally, and he knows he can get away with anything. I feel like he's my son and I'm a single dad – we have an unbelievable bond."
Dom's love affair with dogs began after he split up with his girlfriend of more than two years and became slightly introverted, which worried his friends.
“We ended things amicably, but it was my first proper break-up, so I did find it a tough adjustment," he said.
“Before we split up, I was always out for dinner and drinks, but after I just preferred my own company a bit more."
“Some of my friends noticed I wasn't quite myself and told me I should go on Borrow My Doggy, an app that puts you in touch with people, so you can look after their dog for the day," he added.
After downloading the app, within weeks Dom was hooked up with a friendly dog called Pablo.
“I looked after Pablo for one night and I loved it," he said. “Then it became a regular thing and I'd look after him whenever his family was on holiday or out for the evening."
And when, six months later, Dom was told that Pablo's mum had given birth to a new litter, he knew he had to have one of the puppies.
“The timing was perfect, as I'd just left my job as a recruiter and was setting up my own business, so I was based at home."
“It was a huge responsibility to have a dog that relied solely on me – it was like having a baby – but at least I was around to get him house trained," he said. “And Oscar brought me out of my shell again."
“He also made me mature as, while I used to love the social scene – and I still enjoy going out – now I've got someone I need to gDom Dickinson and Oscar (Collect/ PA Real Life)o home for. He's given me a purpose."
“I don't think anything of leaving a night out early now, because I need to let Oscar out," he added.
And it seems that Dom is not the only one to find Oscar's charms irresistible – if the reaction from prospective online dates is anything to go by.
“Before I got Oscar, I'd usually upload selfies to dating sites, but as soon as I got him, I added pictures with him to my profile," he said.
“There's one particular picture of me with Oscar when he's a baby and I'm holding him in a harness that women love. It's a bit old now, but I've left it on my profile because it's so cute," he continued.
“Having pictures of me with Oscar makes it easier for women to strike up a conversation, because immediately there's something to talk about."
“It's great because women approach me now. They always start off talking about Oscar and say things like, 'Your dog is so cute.' Some even say he's the best-looking dog they've ever seen."
“I don't get half as many compliments as Oscar," he said.
Including Oscar on his profile pictures also helps Dickinson to sort out the women he's not interested in dating.
“It's a good way to find out if a woman is into dogs or not as, if they're not, I doubt they'd match with me," he said.
“And, if after one date, I sussed that someone really wasn't into animals, it would be a bit of a deal breaker for me."
Dickinson even claims women have asked if he can bring his four-legged friend along on dates.
“At first I agreed, but then I found they were more concerned about Oscar and how he was getting on than about getting to know me," he said.
“Nowadays I won't take Oscar on the date unless we're going for a dog walk," he said.
“As soon as I started taking Oscar out for walks, I was the centre of attention."
“I felt as though I'd been reborn as David Beckham. Mothers, grandmas – anyone young or old – wanted to talk to me because of Oscar."
“Men are definitely much more approachable with a dog," he continued.
“Let's face it, if I went walking up to a stranger in a park without a dog on a lead then I'd look weird – but with a dog as cute as Oscar, everyone wants to have a chat."
And, despite his newfound dating prowess, he is quite happy to remain as “one man and his dog."
“I would love a girlfriend one day, but, because I'm so sorted – I've got my own flat, I'm a business owner and I have emotional support from Oscar – I don't feel like I'm in a real rush to find one immediately," he said.
“Right now, I'm happy with Oscar. I already have unconditional love from my pet and he'll always be there waiting for me by the front door."
“So, unless a woman is going to really add to my life, I don't need to entertain her just for the sake of it."
“But I'd love for Oscar to have a playmate, a little brother or sister puppy – and one day, if I do ever find a girlfriend, he'll have a step-mum too," he concluded.
Laura Campanella, Styling Director and Grooming Expert at Groomarts says a survey of their customers found that 42 per cent of women are more impressed by someone with a dog.
“A tongue in cheek photo with your dog is the perfect icebreaker," she said.
“Seeing a potential match pictured with their pooch can indicate a high level of commitment and caring," she continued.
“Keeping their dog lovingly groomed, maintained and good looking shows that an owner takes pride in their dogs' appearance and are also concerned with their overall health and wellbeing, as regular visits to the groomers can also help with overall physical health. "
To find out more visit Groomarts here
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