The Most Ridiculous Dogs From Channel 4's 'Doggy Styling'

This year's festive TV schedule is packed with the regular annual drama specials, feel-good family films and classic TV shows resurrected from the past for a ratings jolt, but on December 30th, the oddest of all the Christmas TV is aired - Doggy Styling, on Channel 4.

Every year, America's most ardent dog stylists come together at the world's largest grooming event in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is generally considered the the Olympics of creative grooming.

But if you thought dog styling would find its limits with seriously smooth hair, dreadlocks and intricate patterns, you'd be wrong; these dog groomers have pushed the art to its very limits, creating the most absurd characters on their beloved pooches.

So, before the show airs towards the end of the year, here are some of our favourite dogs from a truly barmy collection.

Next page: Panda Dog

Panda Dog

This dog is one of the simpler efforts we've seen, but it's certainly one of the most effective. We're not sure what breed we're looking at, but we can only hope those ears are 100% natural. Funnily enough, though, the most amusing thing about this picture is the styled pooch's tongue, which happens to be the only part that wasn't groomed to oblivion.

Next page: Geisha Dog

**Geisha Dog**

So yeah, little Geisha dog. At first we thought we were looking at some sort of 70s disco dog, but upon closer inspection, you can clearly see this hound has a traditional Japanese female entertainer. For some inexplicable reason, it also has a Russian snow hat on, or a Pat Sharp mullet - we'll let you decided which you think. But for sheer eclecticism, it's on the list.

Next page: Weird Garden Dog

****Weird Garden Do**g**

This weird garden dog is both a snail and a sort of Alice in Wonderland allotment all in one. It's difficult to see how those butterflies are staying put without the dog undergoing some sort of stress, something the pained expression on its 100% innocent face suggests, but not something we're willing to invest time and money into to find out.

Next page: Sesame Street dog

Sesame Street dog

It wasn't until we spotted the poor little fella in a tin that this one made it on the list. What is that tiny dog doing in that tin? Why is it there? Now, moving onto the terrifying Big Bird/Elmo amalgamation next to it: while we're undeniably impressed, we'd like to know what affect the copious amount of die used has on that posing pooch. Probably loves it, yeah, that's what its owner keeps telling him-or-herself, isn't it?

Next page: Safari Dog

Safari Dog

This striking entry conveys a safari-esque scene; the dog's mane is busty, voluptuous, and glistening with pride, unlike the poor mutt's eyes, which seem to scream 'please let me chase a massive ball for 9 hours straight'. Sorry dog, but it's your job to stay still for 9 hours straight while your owner, and anyone kind/mad enough to help them, sculpts your hair into the shape of a lion and a zebra. That's your job.

Next page: our winner

Yoda Dog

There's not much else to say about Yoda dog, and perhaps it's the excitement surrounding Star Wars Episode VII, but we can't help but put it right at the top of the list. Everything from the little jacket, the crafted ears to the little expression on its face make it out favorite.

Ren Netherland, 52, is the animal photographer that travels thousands of miles across America to reach these competitions every year. "Creative grooming has become wildly popular," he explained. "There will always be that one person that thinks it is cruel but they don't understand how loved these dogs are." (The Mirror)

Doggy Styling will be on Channel 4 on December 30th at 9pm.