THERE'S no denying it – the UK is a nation of dog lovers. One in four of us own a dog and those who do, consider them part of the family and a significant part of their lives. Unsurprisingly, the only thing we may enjoy more than the companionship of our canine friends is a swift half at our local pub.

Despite being huge fans of our furry friends, a third of UK dog owners struggle to find a dog-friendly pub, and when they do find a local watering hole which advertises itself as dog-friendly, 24% of dog owners leave the pub because it didn’t live up to their expectations of what it means to be dog-friendly.

With recent research showing that pubs are closing at a rate of 18 a week, and over 800 per year, being dog-friendly is increasingly important for the pub trade. It seems that dog owners are also helping to keep the UK pub trade alive. A survey of 3,000 dog owners showed that 95% visit the pub, and over a quarter of them (26%) say that they pay a visit to a pub more than once a week.

Nearly two thirds (64%) of dog owners will search online for a dog-friendly pub before making a visit, and 67% are put off visiting a pub if it’s not dog-friendly. Nearly a quarter (24%) of dog owners have left a pub because it’s not been suitable for their dog.

To help the nine million dogs (and their owners) up and down the country enjoy the great British tradition of paying a visit to your local, DogBuddy, who help dog owners find their perfect dog sitter online, is on the hunt for the nation’s best dog-friendly pubs as part of their third annual Dog-friendly Pub Awards.

One landlord who has embraced ‘paw power’ and begun to welcome not just two, but four-legged customers too, is Martin Peters, who took over the Crown Inn in Pantymwyn earlier this year.

Since then he has made the pub a haven for dog owners with his efforts rewarded with a place on the Welsh leaderboard thanks to dog-loving pub goers casting their vote in DogBuddy's quest to find the perfect pub for pooches.

"Nearly everyone in the village has a dog and they are all so well-behaved I thought they should be made welcome in the bar and TV room," says Martin. "The owners are all very responsible for their dogs and it's made the pub a much happier place."

As well as encouraging dogs to be in the pub, Martin provides a few extra treats to make sure they are occupied while their owners have a drink or eat a meal.

"We started to buy a few snacks for them but we quickly realised that some dogs can have some things that others can't so we asked customers what their dogs liked.

"There are poop bags too and bowls of water and it's all for free."

A few months into Martin's canine revolution, the landlord already feels the pub has benefited with takings up and lots of happy dog owners coming through the doors.

"The beauty of it is that we get all different types of dog in here," he says. "They all get on so well together and when the customers come in they are all stroking them and asking what their name is.

"If it wasn't for the owners being so responsible with their animals it wouldn't work but because they are so respectful of each other and the pub they make sure the dogs don't go in the restaurant.

"To put it simply I wouldn't get as many customers in here if it wasn't for the dogs. If you were to come in here tonight at around 5.30pm you'd see about six or seven dogs in here along with their owners.

"You'll get the odd one who'll bark but in the main they all sit under the table and there's never any mess and if there is ever an accident the customers will clean it themselves."

With just a few days left for people to cast their votes, Martin is hoping The Crown can continue its meteoric rise up the Welsh leaderboard and become the principality's most dog friendly pub. Last year, The Bryntirion Inn in Llanderfel took the accolade while this year sees Y Branwen in Harlech currently topping the table.

"I'm absolutely amazed with the support we're getting," he adds. "Considering we've only been here for just over a month it is absolutely fantastic."

Voting is open now and anyone can vote for their pub by visiting dogbuddypubs.com or take a look at the current leaderboard at dogbuddypubs.com/wales-leaderboard