BESOTTED pet owners admit their dog is ‘part of the family’ – with over 50 per cent of pooches in the South West even having their own spot on the sofa, a study has found.

A poll of 2,000 dog owners nationwide revealed just how much love there is for man’s best friend, with six in 10 admitting they often see them as being like one of the children.

Over 60 per cent of dog owners in the South West allow their pooch to sleep on their bed, while nearly 30 per cent have turned down nights with friends because they can’t bear to leave their dog at home alone.

It also emerged having pictures of your pet on display in your home is the biggest sign they are part of the family, along with celebrating their birthday and including them in family Christmas photos.

Other indicators include giving them a nickname, purchasing a property that suits the dog’s needs and recognising the fact that owners can’t imagine living their life with another dog.

Incredibly, in the event of a breakup, nearly a third of people in the South West would be more devastated by losing custody of their dog than the house they live in.

Nearly 60 per cent of doggy-devotees in the region say hello to their dog first after getting home at the end of the day, before their partner.

Gemma Cunningham, brand manager at Lintbells, which commissioned the research, said: “It doesn’t take long for a furry companion to really feel like one of the family.

“In fact, our research found it takes most owners in the South West just around two weeks of dog ownership before their four-legged friend feels like part of the family.

“And once a pet feels like part of the family, there’s a huge temptation to treat it as often as you can, as a way of showing your love.

“We all want what’s best for our loved ones and the same goes for our pet.”

The study found that over half of the owners have planned a holiday specifically with their canine’s enjoyment in mind, while nearly 30 per cent of them have bought their dog a personalised present after returning from a holiday or trip away.

And a third of owners have even avoided going on holiday entirely because it would have meant them being away from their beloved pet.

20 signs your dog is part of the family

1. You've got pictures of them in your house

2. You give them a nickname as well as their actual name

3. You can't imagine life with another dog

4. They have their own space on the sofa

5. They sleep on the bed with you

6. You celebrate their birthday

7. You include them in your Christmas family photos

8. You're happier staying in with them than going on a night out with friends

9. They're your phone screen saver

10. You pack a bag for your dog when you go away

11. Your refer to them as your child or furbaby

12. You're always showing people pictures of them

13. You've gone on holiday somewhere just because your dog would enjoy it

14. You tell them you love them more than your partner

15. You have the vet's number on speed dial

16. You bought a house only after considering their needs

17. You only go to dog-friendly pubs or restaurants

18. You've dedicated a whole area of your house or garden to their wellbeing

19. You make more effort feeding them than you do your own partner or kids

20. Your pet has a social media account