Dyed Poodles In China

[sandgrubber]

Did anyone catch the 'dog' segments on

Paul Merton In China

6:10pm Sunday, 17 Jan 2010 Documentary CC PG

I was at once grossed out and amazed to see all the 'pretty' punk dyed poodles. Worst of all was hearing that the guy had forty some dog grooming parlours (sp?) and was planning to hit 60 by the end of the year. No way am I exporting to China!!!! Not to mention the follow up segment where he goes to the restaurants specialising in dog meat dishes.

[sparkycat]

yes the dyed poodles were something else

[PRADA68]

The designs on some of the poodles were amazing.

[OSoSwift]

Pictures? I couldn't seem to find any, but maybe I am just a bit stupid tonight - is entirely possible!

[felix]

Here's the video.

Paul Merton in a Poodle parlour

Edited January 17, 2010 by felix

[poodlemum]

I couldn't get the video to work but I don't see the problem with dyeing Poodles - it's done here

[raz]

I couldn't get the video to work but I don't see the problem with dyeing Poodles - it's done here

I agree. Or that he has 40 grooming salons. What's the big deal? People do own pet dogs in China.

[FionaC]

I must say I like the white bodies with the dyed ears combo

Edited January 17, 2010 by FionaC

[Christina]

No problem with the dyeing poodles.

Just with the dying poodles, on the plate

40 grooming salons is not a lot. We forget the huge population in China. Small pet ownership has become popular.

Having looked at some of their grooming on the net it is amazing & so talented.

Its more a question of how its done.

As an enjoyable experience for the dogs or as an ordeal ?

Putting a water rinse on the dogs is a minor matter.

I would not send a dog to China the problem being what happens if they get fed up of the dog.

Or it could be does the dog get fed up ? Literally.

[sandgrubber]

I couldn't get the video to work but I don't see the problem with dyeing Poodles - it's done here

The relevant part of the video begins about 2/3 of the way through the posted video clip.

Dying pink, orange, magenta and day-glow green . . . result looking like some child's toy. I wouldn't give a hoot if dye went hand in glove with quality care and upholding of health and breed standards, but I sort of doubt it.

The business isn't just grooming. .. they also sell 'pedigree' dogs, at high prices. He notes that dogs are becoming a status symbol in China. So it's sort of a pet-shop that merchandises dogs + grooming saloon. Hard to see how such an enterprise can be supported without a good network of puppy farms . . . in a country where values also allow for the eating of dog and place a premium on accumulating wealth. I'm pretty open minded and not anti-Asian. But I'd have to see pretty good documentation showing that care standards are high and 'pedigree' means 'good pedigree, including relevant health tests' before I could be enthusiastic about the thing. A later segment of the show included interviews of people in a restaurant that specialises in dog. The customers report that 'brown' dog is best, followed by 'black', with white at the bottom of the list.

Edited January 17, 2010 by sandgrubber

[sparkycat]

I understand that the dogs that are eaten are a specific type - ie brown dog tastes better than black as said in the interview. So what is the difference in eating specially bred dogs to eating specially bred sheep or cattle or any other animal..

edited to add that I have lived in third world countries where any animal is considered food including road kill

Edited January 17, 2010 by sparky25

[PRADA68]

I understand that the dogs that are eaten are a specific type - ie brown dog tastes better than black as said in the interview. So what is the difference in eating specially bred dogs to eating specially bred sheep or cattle or any other animal..

edited to add that I have lived in third world countries where any animal is considered food including road kill

I agree... I would not eat it but I do agree with your comments.  

[Poodle Mum]

I watched the whole show and I thought the dyed & trimmed poodles were gorgeous :D .....I wish I had the time and patience.

Interesting that the proram said that owning dogs in China was considered a status symbol (He said this while walking 3 std poo's )

Funny though, the chinese girl didn't understand the term "pet dog"........while she was scouffing off on brown dog

[shapeshifter]

I agree PM they are gorgeous :D

[Vehs]

hrm.. I'll have to ask my friend who just moved back to China what the deal is with owning pet dogs over there -- you have to have a license to own a bicycle in the city so I wonder what they do for dogs...

[WoofnHoof]

I can't watch the video I'm at work but a friend of mine did some research on the dog meat trade in China and it's pretty horrific there are a multitude of welfare issues at play.

[sandgrubber]

I understand that the dogs that are eaten are a specific type - ie brown dog tastes better than black as said in the interview. So what is the difference in eating specially bred dogs to eating specially bred sheep or cattle or any other animal..

edited to add that I have lived in third world countries where any animal is considered food including road kill

I agree... I would not eat it but I do agree with your comments.

The difference is the extent to which you feel compassion and empathy with the animal that's being eaten.

If I kept sheep as pets, I would probably feel different about eating lamb, and I certainly wouldn't want to export any of my little lambs to the Middle East. My nephew went vegetarian after the pet pig ended up in the freezer. I have four chocolate Labradors, so brown dog wouldn't be my menu pick.

I don't judge anyone for eating dog. I just wouldn't send a puppy to a place where dog is eaten without very strong assurance that the puppy buyers would recognise the adult dog as a sentient being (not a status symbol) and value it for life.

[raz]

I would not send a dog to China the problem being what happens if they get fed up of the dog.

You mean like...what happens when people get fed up with the dog in Australia? *goes off to look at the 'due now threads' in rescue subforum*

[Christina]

I would not send a dog to China the problem being what happens if they get fed up of the dog.

You mean like...what happens when people get fed up with the dog in Australia? *goes off to look at the 'due now threads' in rescue subforum*

I know what you mean, its sickening & disgraceful but

If its bad enough here, which it is with all our welfare/cruelty laws & wonderful rescue people how would it be in China where they don't have any of this & dog is acceptable on the menu.

It was a cultural view, not racist, my sons wife is chinese, only been here for 2 years, & I love her to bits, but they do have a different view of animals overall. At least dogs going to homes here that are traceable may end up back with the breeder if things go wrong. No chance if they are there.

[Shmurps]

Nope don't agree with it, but then again don't agree with dressing dogs up for our own amusement.