A dog's life with a look to dye for
By Chi-chi Zhang |
June 20, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WALKING into the Ruowen Pet Spa is like entering a doggie Halloween costume contest. There's turtle-dog, zebra-dog, spiderman-dog, tiger-dog, even panda-dog.
Raphael the toy poodle runs around in his playpen like any other dog - except his snow white coat has been dyed neon green and is partially shaved with a protruding shell on top to resemble a turtle. He seems oblivious to his unique look but enjoys the attention of onlookers.
Raphael, named after a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character, is one of half a dozen dyed dogs on display at the spa in Beijing, which caters to wealthy Chinese who are fueling a booming pet craze in China.
"If you can dream it, we can make it come true," said Sun Ruowen, who owns the spa and has worked in the pet industry for 10 years.
Sun charges from US$7 to dye an ear to US$300 to dye and trim larger dogs.
Pet ownership is booming in China, spawning a slew of cat and dog pampering businesses where pets are treated to pedicures, rose petal bubble baths and massages.
This year, the Year of the Tiger, has seen an increased interest in the dyeing trend - with tigers the most-sought-after look. From golden retrievers to Pekingese, pets are not just being dyed basic colors but transformed to look like other animals, says Sun.
"Dyeing pets is popular in many developed countries like Japan and Korea, but China is quickly catching on," said Sun. She attributes this to the "head-turning effect."
Kung Fu, a 10-month-old Old English sheepdog, can barely make it down the street without swarms gathering to admire his thick coat dyed to look like a panda, says owner Queenie Yang, 31.
"Kung Fu loves the attention, and his self confidence has shot up since lots of pretty girls come up to pet him," said Yang, a Beijing housewife.
While some critics say the trend is inhumane as dogs are sometimes forced to undergo hours of dyeing, Sun says her products are natural and it's nothing more than an innocent dress-up session.
"It's a confidence booster for dogs and owners," said Sun. "We're here to offer them new ways to pamper and dress up their pets."
Raphael the toy poodle runs around in his playpen like any other dog - except his snow white coat has been dyed neon green and is partially shaved with a protruding shell on top to resemble a turtle. He seems oblivious to his unique look but enjoys the attention of onlookers.
Raphael, named after a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character, is one of half a dozen dyed dogs on display at the spa in Beijing, which caters to wealthy Chinese who are fueling a booming pet craze in China.
"If you can dream it, we can make it come true," said Sun Ruowen, who owns the spa and has worked in the pet industry for 10 years.
Sun charges from US$7 to dye an ear to US$300 to dye and trim larger dogs.
Pet ownership is booming in China, spawning a slew of cat and dog pampering businesses where pets are treated to pedicures, rose petal bubble baths and massages.
This year, the Year of the Tiger, has seen an increased interest in the dyeing trend - with tigers the most-sought-after look. From golden retrievers to Pekingese, pets are not just being dyed basic colors but transformed to look like other animals, says Sun.
"Dyeing pets is popular in many developed countries like Japan and Korea, but China is quickly catching on," said Sun. She attributes this to the "head-turning effect."
Kung Fu, a 10-month-old Old English sheepdog, can barely make it down the street without swarms gathering to admire his thick coat dyed to look like a panda, says owner Queenie Yang, 31.
"Kung Fu loves the attention, and his self confidence has shot up since lots of pretty girls come up to pet him," said Yang, a Beijing housewife.
While some critics say the trend is inhumane as dogs are sometimes forced to undergo hours of dyeing, Sun says her products are natural and it's nothing more than an innocent dress-up session.
"It's a confidence booster for dogs and owners," said Sun. "We're here to offer them new ways to pamper and dress up their pets."
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