Britons are famously devoted¹ to their pets but a new survey ahead of Valentine's Day shows their furry² friends may be standing³ in the way of love.

英国人对宠物的喜爱是出了名的，但情人节前夕进行的一项最新调查显示，这些毛茸茸的朋友们可能会阻碍爱情。

Eighty percent of dog owners for example said they would not date someone who didn't like their pet and nearly 20 percent of the 3,000 pet owners surveyed would rather have an animal companion than a relationship.

As many as 36 percent of all owners stroked their furry（毛皮的） friends more than they touched their partners.

And 12 percent felt that owning their cat or dog was having a damaging effect on their relationship.

The poll was conducted to mark next week's release of the Blu-ray and DVD of hit doggy film "Marmaduke."