Southend has some of the unhappiest dogs in the UK, according to an online pet retailer.

Dog lovers at OnBuy Pet Supplies have created an index of six factors which can determine the level of happiness of our furry friends in different cities and towns in the UK.

Southend came 47th out of the 50 places researched for the happiest dogs, with researchers saying it was partly due to the town’s lack of pet shops and pet groomers.

OnBuy Pet Supplies says one in five people in Southend own a dog, nearly double those who own a cat.

However, it says there is only one pet shop in the town with a 4.5 star review or high, and four locations for pet grooming.

Echo:

It also said there were only 18 Airbnb facilities out of 76 which permitted dogs and pets.

Only Oxford and Cambridge were ranked lower than Southend when it comes to dog happiness.

The top five places with the happiest dogs in the UK were Swansea, Plymouth, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast.

Natalia Ashton, author of Perfect Cocker Spaniel Guide says there are several signs to determine if you’re dog is happy.

She said: “A happy dog has a dreamy soft gaze and relaxed eyelids, lips are loose, the forehead is wrinkle-free.

“The body is completely relaxed, the ears are floppy, and the tail is raised to the mid-level and wagging.

“A happy dog will seek engagement with you by greeting you with great enthusiasm, initiating fun time, play bowing or bringing a toy.

“They will also blissfully snooze for hours often stretching out on their backs to take most of your sofa.”

Asked about signs of a stressed pooch, Natalie said: “Surprisingly, one of the first signs is an exaggerated yawn.

“A stressed pooch will have tension in his body, try to avoid eye contact, have enlarged pupils, raised eyebrows or tension in his forehead and ears, which he is likely to keep pulled back or erected and pointy (depending on a breed and situation).

“Stressed dogs may start to destroy the furniture or rip out carpets as their way to relieve stress through chewing.”