Dog-tired of your pet's look? Try a doggie dye job

BEIJING — Walking into Ruowen Pet Spa is like entering a doggie Halloween costume contest. There's turtle-dog, zebra-dog, Spider-Man-dog, tiger-dog and 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 downtown 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 anywhere from $7 to dye one ear to $300 for permanent dyeing and trimming of larger dogs — with most lasting six months before the hair grows out.

Once banned by the Communist Party as bourgeois, 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 in China, has brought an interest in the dyeing trend — with tigers being the most sought-after look. From golden retrievers to Pekingese, pets are not just being dyed basic colors but are being 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, who recently participated in the first national pet dyeing competition in Beijing. She attributes the phenomenon to a "head-turning effect."

"People already love to show off their pets and draw attention, so a panda-dog walking down the street is bound to turn heads."

Dog owners say the attention their canines receive has improved their mental well-being. 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.

"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 31-year-old housewife.