The Panda Dog Is a Real Thing in China

It’s Hump Day! So, ditch the annoying camel jokes and check out this adorable new pet craze happening in China: PANDA DOGS!

Image via Cen

Chow dogs are now being made to look like the gentle, bamboo-eating mammals according to pet store owner in southwest China’s Sichuan province, Hsin Ch’en. In an interview with Central European News, Ch’en said he can’t keep up with the high demand of pet owners requesting for their dogs to be dyed like pandas.

Images via CEN

Ch’en told CEN “There are no chemicals or cruelty involved. But the price of the dog does rise significantly because of the amount of grooming that goes into it. People don’t mind paying the extra though – they like the fact that heads turn in the street and they can tell their friends: ‘I have a panda dog.'”

While some critics argue the chemicals may be harmful, it is still unknown what Ch’en’s procedure is in the dying process. Daniela Carras, a groomer at Barks and Tails Dog Spa & Cat Groomer in Miami, told us “I’m not sure what they use, but we use dye products made specifically for dogs. We wouldn’t use the same products we color women’s hair with on our dogs.”

Image via Cen

Ch’en also came up with the panda-inspired idea himself saying, “I perfected the technique here and now it is spreading across the country.”

CEN also reported in February 2013 that this pet grooming fad was popular among other dog breeds, but apparently now the chow is in. And we have to say, they do look a lot more like pandas than a French Bulldog.