Golden retriever becomes famous for hugging strangers on the streets of New York

A friendly dog has become one of New York's latest tourist attractions, thanks to her love of hugging strangers.

Louboutina the golden retriever is fast becoming a social media star thanks to her affectionate nature, as passers-by have taken to posing for pictures when they spot her on the street.

There are scores of pictures of the pet pooch on her hind legs, with her front paws clasped around a man or woman's thighs, that are posted by fans on Instagram.

Louboutina the Golden Retriever has become one of New York's latest tourist attractions, thanks to her love of hugging strangers.

New Yorker Cesar Fernandez-Chavez (pictured) was given Louboutina as a gift by his best friend five years ago.

The images are all re-tweeted by her owner Cesar Fernandez-Chavez on Louboutina's own page, which now has thousands of followers.

New Yorker Cesar was given Louboutina as a gift by his best friend five years ago, when she was just a puppy, then two and a half years ago she started to 'hold hands' with her owner, which graduated to 'hugging'. 

He told MailOnline Travel: 'Louboutina started "holding hands" in February 2014, a week before Valentine's day, I never discouraged her but learned to be patient and let her do her trick.

'Then in the spring of 2015 she started "hugging me" and since last winter she has been hugging other people more often.'

Passers-by have taken to posing for pictures with Louboutina when they spot her on the street.

There are scores of pictures on Instagram of the pet pooch on her hind legs, with her front paws clasped around a man or woman's thighs.

Louboutina's affectionate nature means she makes fans whenever they take a walk in their local neighbourhood.

According to Cesar, Louboutina's affectionate nature means she makes fans whenever they take a walk in their local neighbourhood.

He said: 'We live in downtown Manhattan and walk all over Chelsea, West Village or Gramercy Park and whenever she stops to hold hands or hug she breaks hearts, because I can always hear people saying, "aww", "adorable" and "how cute".

'She doesn't need prompting - hugging happens whenever she decides, but what I have noticed is that she likes to be seen, so when we are on a busy street she decides to stop and hug, then she looks around like as if to say, "Hey look I'm cute!"'

Cesar can usually tell when Louboutina wants to give one of her famous hugs nowadays, as she has a routine when she meets a stranger that she likes.

He said: 'I now know when she wants to hug other people as she leans on them, then sits next to them before sitting on her back legs to hug them.

'But I think she tries to bond first with that person by leaning on them.' 

Cesar can usually tell when Louboutina wants to give one of her famous hugs nowadays, as she has a routine when she meets a stranger that she likes.

She is now so popular that tourists make an effort to come and find her when they are visiting the city.