Not content with clipping fur, and massaging their dogs, pet owners in Beijing are now trying to turn man's best friend into something else entirely. And from between 7 to 300 US dollars people can turn their pup into a tiger or a panda.

This is a turtle dog.

That's panda pooch and there's even Spiderman dog.

Old English Sheepdog, Kung Fu is 10 months old.

Once well known in his neighborhood for being a cute puppy - now he's famous for his panda-like qualities.

Queenie Yang, Kung Fu's owner, said, "Before he was dyed, he was a star in our community. After he was dyed, he became even more famous. Wherever he goes, people like him, especially children. They think he is a real panda."

Sun Ruowen owns the spa.

She says she's catering to dog owners' wishes: they can't own a panda, but they can have a panda-like dog.

Sun Ruowen, owner of Ruowen Pet Spa,said, "After all, pandas and tigers are rare, so if owners have dogs like them, they would be very satisfied."

Critics say the new trend is inhumane because dogs are sometimes forced to undergo hours of unnecessary dyeing.

Tian Haiyan, vice-director of Beijing Guanshang Animal Hospital, said, "Dyes of bad quality could hurt an animals' skin. Besides, dyes could affect a dog if they inhale the fumes."

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.

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