Between walks through the park and tangled leashes, dogs can play a key role in meeting people—even becoming the best wingman*. happn, the real-life dating app, has examined the role of pets in dating and reveals that these companions can also be valuable allies when it comes to making the first move—a real asset when you consider that 9.9*** million dogs accompany French people. The app’s data supports this, as happn recorded a 37% increase in crossings and a 24%** increase in “likes” among singles during the Sausage Walk in Paris.

A Paw to Take the First Step

“What’s his name?” “How old is he?” “Can I pet him?”—When you’re out for a walk, a conversation can start very spontaneously as soon as a four-legged friend is nearby. Nearly one in two singles**** (49%) say they’ve struck up a conversation with someone thanks to their dog. It’s a simple way to get to know the people you cross paths with every day, without having to come up with the perfect opening line.
This view is shared by 80% of those surveyed, who believe that a dog can make it easier to strike up a conversation, although some of them note that it depends on the owner (42%).

Is Having a Pet an Asset When Flirting?

For one in two respondents, owning a pet is a “green flag”—a positive sign in a potential partner. 16% have even used their pet to flirt. A love of animals also plays a role in choosing a partner, as 40% say that not liking animals would be a deal-breaker in a relationship. And when it comes to planning a first date, a simple walk can be appealing: 93% of respondents say they’re open to taking a walk with their crush’s dog. It’s a way to keep the conversation going in a familiar setting and see if there’s a real connection.
*translation: wingman—figuratively speaking, this refers to someone who helps a friend flirt or strike up a conversation at a party or in a public place.

**Data from the happn app
*** Source: i-cad
****happn survey conducted in September 2026 among 2,000 happn users