Poodles are transformed into a pony, camel, lion and gorilla for BBC reality TV dog show
Pooch Perfect viewers slam ANOTHER ‘cruel’ task using dye to transform dogs into a pony, gorilla, camel and a lion – as RSPCA warns ‘pets are not toys’
- Latest challenge on BBC One show ‘pooch perfect’ saw semi-finalists transforming dogs into other animals using shaping and temporary dyes
- While many viewers loved the episode, others slammed the challenge as ‘cruel’
- One said: ‘It seems unnecessary and a bit cruel. A dog with a lion haircut?’
- Last month Peta called the show ‘tacky puppy pageantry’ but BBC defended new task, telling FEMAIL ‘care and well-being of the dogs was of upmost importance’
The latest episode of BBC One’s Pooch Perfect has seen some viewers once again criticise the programme, after groomers were asked to spray-paint fur to make them look like other animals.
The hour-long semi-final programme, presented by Sheridan Smith, was perhaps the most controversial yet, with the groomers asked to transform four poodles into a camel, lion, horse and a gorilla by shaping and dyeing fur.
While many agreed on social media that the entertainment show was ‘compelling viewing’, others said they found the most recent task upsetting and suggested it was ‘cruel’.
The BBC has strongly defended last night’s challenge, telling FEMAIL: ‘The care and well-being of the dogs was of the upmost importance.’
Last month, Elisa Allen, director of animal welfare group Peta, said the ‘tacky puppy pageantry’ should be axed and the RSPCA told FEMAIL today that ‘the application of dyes, paints and glitter has the potential to perpetuate the idea that dogs are objects or toys.’
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Pooch Perfect has divided viewers, with some saying the reality TV show is pet heaven and others calling it ‘cruel’ – many said they found the latest task of transforming the dogs into animals using shaping and temporary dyes hard to watch (Pictured: Lakhi Thindal transforms Dixie into a horse with saddle and hooves)
In her natural form, Dixie the dog is shown standing in front of a blue screen before she was groomed to look like a horse
Semi-finalist Lakhi is seen spraying the dog’s coat to make it look like a horse’s mane in the latest episode
Contestant Lakhi Thindal, seemed to be inspired by My Little Pony as he turned Dixie into a horse – carving a saddle into his coat and colouring his feet to create hooves.
Georgia Fuller transformed Willow, an Australian labradoodle, into a lion, complete with mane.
Kelly Davis made her pooch, Maxwell, look like a gorilla, giving him a monobrow and disguising his ears, while Mich Dale turned her double doodle Woody into a camel, albeit one with a slightly flat hump.
The latest instalment of the programme sparked plenty of reaction on social media, with many saying the use of non-permanent dyes on the dogs’ coats wasn’t something they felt comfortable with. The BBC have made clear that the dye used to colour the dogs’ fur is washed out straight away.
@lesleylena wrote: ‘Enjoyedn@poochperfectuknlast night. I think the use of ‘dog friendly’ paint is totally unnecessary though. I’ve seen very upsetting images on social media of what kids have done to their pets with felt tip pens, not to mention animal painting parties and It’s NOT OK.’
@cumbriaoldrural wrote: ‘#PoochPerfect what a dreadful show. Poor dogs it’s almost cruel. Spray painting them’
Others gushed about the episode, with one viewer saying watching the transformation of the dogs was ‘the best night of my life’
Georgia Fuller transformed Willow, an Australian labradoodle, into a lion, complete with mane
Willow the Australian labradoodle was transformed into a lion for the show. Pictured: Willow before being given his trim
@KKessack added: ‘I do like the show but I detest the slot at the end where they make he dogs look silly. Don’t dye dogs hair, or make them look like a camel.’
Other viewers though gushed about the episode. @jamie_wallis wrote: ‘We are both engrossed watching all the cute dogs, we’ve decided we are going to jack in our day jobs and become dog groomers.’
And @JamesAALongman added: ‘Just need to make you aware of this poodle being turned into a pony. Don’t think I’ve ever been happier about anything’
Earlier in the BBC1 show, hosted by Sheridan Smith, the semi-finalists groomed lamb-like Bedlington terriers, before being tested on their dog knowledge.
Kelly Davis made her pooch, Maxwell, look like a gorilla, giving him a monobrow and disguising his ears
Last month, Pooch Perfect was criticised for an episode in which contestants applied dye, glitter and nail polish to dogs – although the BBC insisted all products and grooms are safe. Pictured: Maxwell before being groomed to look like a gorilla
Judges Verity Hardcastle and Colin Taylor awarded Miss Davis the Best in Show accolade, while Miss Dale was eliminated from next Thursday’s final.
Last month, Pooch Perfect was criticised for an episode in which contestants applied dye, glitter and nail polish to dogs – although the BBC insisted all products and grooms are safe.
Experts condemned the show as ‘disrespectful’ while Elisa Allen, director of animal welfare group Peta, said the ‘tacky puppy pageantry’ should be axed.
The BBC told FEMAIL today that the dyes used were designed to demonstrate creativity and that the care of the animals in the show was of the ‘upmost importance’ during filming.
A spokesperson said: ‘When temporary colour was used it was kept to a minimum and, as shown in the programme, it washes out easily and was used to demonstrate specific areas of skill and creativity. All the products were animal safe and the grooms were performed by professionals who have great experience of handling and managing dogs.
‘The series displays many aspects of dog grooming, including use of temporary colour, and it is consistently stressed that these grooms should only be carried out by professionals. The care and well-being of the dogs was of the upmost importance and on set we had a Vet who was recommended by the British Veterinary Association, an RSPCA approved Animal Welfare Consultant and a highly qualified Grooming Consultant to ensure the dogs’ safety and welfare.’
The four dog groomers competing for a spot in the final had to transform their poodles into other animals by shaping and dyeing their fur
Pictured: Woody is seen with all of his fur before being transformed into a camel on Pooch Perfect
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines told FEMAIL that while it was good the show offered grooming tips for owners, it had reservations about how it may influence dog owners, saying: ‘The RSPCA is pleased to see the need for regular dog grooming being highlighted within Pooch Perfect.
‘However, despite the efforts to protect the welfare of dogs used in the series, we have broader concerns around how this type of programme portrays dogs and how it may influence the way people treat them. Dogs have their own emotions, preferences and needs. Each is an individual with their own personality.
‘Creative grooms and transformations including the addition of shapes and accessories to the coat, as well as the application of dyes, paints and glitter has the potential to perpetuate the idea that dogs are objects or toys; ours to objectify or treat as commodities.’
