It’s well known that pub culture is an integral part of British life, and not just for humans, but for dogs too. In fact, new research from Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, has today revealed that a whopping 78% of dogs are regular pub-goers!

Wherever we go, it seems our loyal companions come with us, with 1 in 5 (22%) pet parents admitting they got their pooch with the intention of them becoming a ‘pub dog’, whether that’s to keep up with their circle of friends after becoming a pet parent (37%), to help socialise their pup (48%), or to build their dog’s confidence around other people (35%). And it seems its out with ‘Dutch courage’ and in with ‘Hair of the dog’, as over half (55%) say their furry-friend gives them more confur-dence to socialise with strangers than having a tipple does.

This research comes as Rover calls on dog owners to apply for the ‘best job in the world’. Rover is looking for eleven ‘Rover Tavern Testers’ to help sniff out the most dog friendly pub in the UK, helping to ‘raise the bar’ for our beloved companions everywhere. As part of this exciting role, testers, and their furry friends will be paid to visit pubs in their area and judge them on their doggy amenities. Find out more here.

According to the new survey, Golden Retrievers (12%) make for the best pub companion, closely followed by Labrador Retrievers (9%) and Cocker Spaniels (7%), with Brits favouring their friendly (72%) yet laid-back (32%) personalities.

Top 10 breeds that make the best ‘pub dogs’:
Golden Retriever (12%)
Labrador Retrievers (9%)
Cocker Spaniels (7%)
Cockapoo (7%)
Jack Russell Terrier (6%)
French Bulldog (5%)
German Shepherd (5%)
Border Collie (4%)
Daschund (4%)
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (3%)

The research suggests that our fur-babies may be even more like us than we think, as a whopping 71% believe that their dog enjoys a trip to the pub just as much as they do a visit to the park – attributing this to all the extra fussing (52%) and treats (53%).

Yet despite the obvious appetite dogs have for their local watering hole, more than a quarter (28%) of pet parents say they have been made to feel unwelcome, with 1 in 5 (22%) claiming they’ve previously been asked to leave a pub due to having their pup in tow.

With this in mind, 37% of pet parents say they have not returned to a pub solely due to the lack of doggy facilities, and 38% pet parents admit to prioritising their dog’s experience over their own, even putting up with inflated prices (21%) and having to sit outside (40%) in exchange for water bowls (71%), treats (37%) and dog-friendly staff (58%), for the sake of their pooch.

Entries to become a Rover Tavern Tester will open on Sunday 2nd June, and close Sunday 16th June. Each Rover Tavern Tester will be paid to visit ten pubs in their region, marking each pub on the amenities available and welcome of the staff. You can apply via Rover’s website here.

Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist comments, “Under appropriate conditions, taking your dog along with you to the pub can be a truly enjoyable experience for both you and your pooch – helping to socialise your dog and provide them mental stimulation. However, whilst many dogs are very social by nature, this is not the case for all, and you must first carefully consider if you believe your dog will be comfortable in this kind of environment, and equally, that they will not be a disturbance to others.”

“With this in mind, its highly important that you also make a judgment call on whether the pub is ‘dog-friendly’ enough. In order to meet this criteria, the pub should offer a calm and quiet atmosphere, with both a designated indoor and outdoor space for your pooch, that’s set away from busy walkways, entrances, and exits. Lookout for dog beds, blankets, poo bags, and fresh water bowls – and even better if they provide treats and toys for your pup too! Staff should also have a clear familiarity and awareness of how to cater for our four-legged friends, ensuring they are made to feel just as welcome as we are.”