I don't know if I've spelt the breed name right or not but..basically there is a lady who has 3 dogs in our estate, 2 of these & another which I think is a cross & basically she has dyed one of them hot pink..I'm not joking :( it looks ridiculous & I think this is the second time it's been done.  I saw her walking them a few weeks ago & it was a dull shade but passed them again last night & the poor dog was bright pink, would glow up in the dark I'm sure.  Now I'm a little confused as to why she would do this, I thought maybe it had happened by mistake or someone has done it for a practical joke but seen as it's been done again that can't be the case! So CDers why on earth would she do this to the poor little dog?

Because its fashionable and you can buy dyes for your dogs coat which are safe to the animal?

People are also dying dogs to look like panda's
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allen_iluminada_8/2643236203/

They think it looks cute.

because shes a looney. if she likes pink hair why not do her own??

If its done properly by a professional, to the dog its no different to having their regular bath. In other words it isn't cruel, the dog is not aware its pink/blue whatever, and it comes out quickly. Far better than people dressing their dogs in lots of clothes on a hot day I think, which I seem to be seeing everyday.

Yes I have dyed my bichons coats and can reassure folk that no harm whatsoever came to any of them - they didn't even get laughed at by the labradors in the park. Opinion will always be split - some people love it others will always be horrified, but no matter what, as said before if done properly, absolutely no harm comes to the dog at all.

My dogs are in no way 'poor little dogs' but I spose loony is fair :-) 

stuff like that makes me so cross. dogs are not toys. i cant bare any of that dressing them up or dying their hair nonsense. if you want to make a statement about yourself and your taste etc do it with the choice of collar and lead you put on your dog - nothing else!

> i cant bare any of that dressing them up

not my cup of tea but a bit of clothing doesn't do harm. my sis has a whippet who needs jumpers in the winter etc and she has a couple of silly ones. mainly a racing style cozy coat though.

> My dogs are in no way 'poor little dogs' but I spose loony is fair :-)

lol.

> they didn't even get laughed at by the labradors in the park

bet they were though :) or licked because they think they are candy floss :) lol

>not my cup of tea but a bit of clothing doesn't do harm.

Buster has been dressed up. When sorting out a load of haloween costumes for the kids, Buster came over to investigate so I put a Dracula outfit on him (cape, with an attatched fancy shirt front) - he LOVED it becasue he got lots of exta attention and some biscuits, he wasn't bothered about the costume itself (he only wore the outfit in the house & wandered out in the garden with it on for a wee!!!) :) He is also happy to wear Reindeer antlers at Christmas, the antlers don't bother him either way, but he does like the attention they get him.

Dogs have no perception about looking silly and don't know the difference in wearing something for thier owners fun (reindeer antlers!), or thier safety (collar).
Dressing up a dog on a hot day is a different matter becasue that becomes a health issue.

I don't see anything wrong with dying a dogs coat a different colour, as long as the dog is happy with the process and any extra attention it attracts.

> He is also happy to wear Reindeer antlers at Christmas, the antlers don't bother him either way

see tio is not so keen on this though he was quite delighted when he got them off and proceeded to chew them...

Maybe its dyed to take part in something.  My friend dyed two standard poodles, one blue one pink, many years ago to take part in The Clothes Show with Jeff Banks he wanted them for the catwalk show with the models.  I wouldnt particularly want my dogs dyed but hey the dog didnt give two hoots and they enjoyed themselves and all the attention they got.  Its not cruel, just a bit silly :) :)

Think it's a bit sad myself.

> Maybe its dyed to take part in something.  My friend dyed two standard poodles, one blue one pink, many years ago to take part in The Clothes Show with Jeff Banks he wanted them for the catwalk show with the models.  I wouldnt particularly want my dogs dyed but hey the dog didnt give two hoots and they enjoyed themselves and all the attention they got.  Its not cruel, just a bit silly  

Yes my boys were (as usual) taking part in a carnival, they are natural show offs and loved the attention. I wouldn't do it if there were any negative effects to my precious boys

astarte, I don't know about the labs wanting to eat them but a pregnant friend of mine really wanted to eat them!! lol

> Think it's a bit sad myself

Yep maybe so, but harmlessly sad :-) lol

Totally daft... but harmless:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w203/ohmymatilda/Photo-0064.jpg

>> http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w203/ohmymatilda/Photo-0064.jpg

aaaaw, c'mon now I want to eat them :)

I agree with some people it is sad but as it is harmless to the dogs it's not a bad thing.  Much worse goes on in training methods, cruelty, abuse.

One thing you can say with dyed dogs is that they are loved if someone is willing to spending time or money grooming their dogs.

Like said, some have been used for carnivals or catwalks, surely thats the same as putting a dog into a conformation show?  Which any dogs with a great temprement loves as most of us know.

> One thing you can say with dyed dogs is that they are loved if someone is willing to spending time or money grooming their dogs.

Absolutely, a well looked after bichon spends a lot of time being bathed and groomed.. as they should be, to keep their coats in good condition. They don't know they are a different colour, unless they spot the bottle and learn how to read the label :-) 

> Like said, some have been used for carnivals or catwalks, surely thats the same as putting a dog into a conformation show?  Which any dogs with a great temprement loves as most of us know.

Well said. Oscar loves being at shows and carnivals and since Geordi can't be shown anymore, being in carnivals being the centre of attention - he loves every second - you've never seen such a happy boy than when he's showing off to his public :-)

And when us loonies take our dogs out before the colour comes out, to the park or across the downs we're well aware they look daft, we don't think 'how dare you stare at my pink dog - how rude' lol The dog, however, is completely oblivious and still enjoys the walk just the same as normal :-)

Not my cup of tea at all but I dont think it hurts the dog really, judging by the amount of colour shampoos there are available for dogs there must be more than a few showogs that have a quick "touch up job" before going in the ring to be shown ;-)

The dogs are blissfully unaware...thankfully............ but surely it's what it says about the owners......?

Step away from the dye bottle Hebes or this time I will have to shoot you.

Hebes knows my opinion about dog owners making themselves into candidates for a documentary on loopy dog owners :-(

Lost cause sadly :-(

> but surely it's what it says about the owners......?
>
>

Exactly!  And, in my opinion, it's done to draw attention to the owner.

It's not cruel to the dog, but it's a bit silly if you ask me. Our college used to dye poodles pink for the open day, they looked ridiculous! I admit I dyed my Yankee's topknot green and spiked it up once for a fancy dress party (he was a punk cocker!) but I spent ages looking for a dye that washed straight out again afterwards!

Thank heavens dogs are not vain! Thats about the only thing good about colouring their coat. dressing them up or any other fanciful notion people have about them.  At least the dog has no feeling either way about the owner's absurdities.  Each to their own.

> (he was a punk cocker!)

:-)  :-)  :-)
Very innovative!!!

They are animals and not fashion accessories for goodness sake. :-(

I thought so Jean! He had a spiked collar like bulldogs often wear, and a black gothic t-shirt, and we were still only 6th, I was very miffed! :-D