Remember the Panda Dog?

What Is the Mysterious Panda Dog?

Obscenely cute and somewhat controversial, the panda dog begs the question: Is it a hybrid species born from an innocent but forbidden love affair between a panda and a dog? (That's a mental picture that's difficult to erase from my mind.)

Or is it a photoshopped image that was created by a bored person in order to pull our legs? (If so, will it one day be categorized under "mythical creatures" along with the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot?)

Oddly enough, it's not so much a mystery as it is a tale of love, passion, rescue, and a big bottle of black (doggie-safe) hair dye ...

Columbo and His Extreme Doggie Makeover

Named after the quirky detective in the hit TV series Columbo, this Maltese-Poodle mix's transformation began in Tokyo. His owner, Kensuke Hirakawa, is a former beautician and pet shop owner who adopted Columbo after his previous owner abandoned him (reportedly due to his ugly looks).

Although Columbo was a bit aggressive and barked non-stop at first, Kensuke saw potential in this little droopy-eyed fur ball and took him in. Columbo soon warmed up to his new owner. Poor Columbo had been through a lot and had the marks to prove it—a stiff back leg, tear-stained eyes, and removed canine teeth (to prevent biting). It didn't take long for Kensuke, given his background styling hair, to hatch a crazy little plan for an extreme doggie makeover!

Using completely safe, non-toxic black hair color meant for dogs, Kensuke dyed parts of Columbo's dingy white fur to mimic a panda's striking patterning.

And boy did he stand out! Once a mixed-breed mongrel tossed aside because of his looks, Columbo was not only the most talked about and adored dog in the neighborhood (and probably all of Asia as well), but he was also selected to be a poster dog and mascot in a campaign to save the abandoned and abused dogs of Tokyo. His human parent hoped that this would help teach others how to be responsible and love their pets. (I know there's a moral in there somewhere ...)

Columbo Photo Gallery

Columbo is now a relaxed and carefree dog star.

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A Beautiful Dog

Kensuke said that dying Columbo's hair just made sense—the dog had always had stains around his eyes. And the good news is that the dye isn't permanent. Since it only lasts about a month, Kensuke could change Columbo on a whim!

But Wait! There's More!

It seemed that Columbo started a hip new trend in panda dogs.

Take a look at these über chic panda-wannabees:

This is C chow and his panda brother.

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It would appear Chow Chows are prime panda-dog material. As you can see below, even chow puppies look just like, well, unpainted panda dogs!

Share Your Thoughts in the Comments

So come one and come all—share your thoughts on this strange-but-true oddity from the East!

© 2008 AGirlAndHerDogs

Comments

euan on December 12, 2019:

this is a joke

Jaxxon on March 16, 2019:

Panda and doggos

gloria on August 23, 2018:

cruel

calypso dolman on June 19, 2018:

i wish they were real!! they look so cute

hi on March 06, 2018:

this really got me interested . the only reason I was on is to see if this was a reliable resource after I told my teacher its just black dye and she started laughing so hard she knocked herself out . That may not be true or is it . The point is it was hauilors and a ok website

AnimalLover on April 29, 2017:

ITS SO CUTE

Trin on March 14, 2017:

That's kinda cruel dying a dogs hair. But I still want one they are adorable. I've wanted a panda my hole life and now I can basically have one.

Cadence on November 03, 2016:

I think it's sweet that this man took a old abondoned dog deemed ugly and cared for it and I don't find that theirs anything wrong with dying the dog as long as it's not harmful, I mean if your not hurting the dog their shouldn't be anything wrong with it.

Karin Johansson on May 16, 2016:

Now we know more. This trend is going over in China. And then they kill the dogs. No dog colour are harmless so when it has had this black in the fur, refreshed every six weeks it can't be like a usual dog again. So then the owners don't have same use for it! And they kill them! Don't use dogs as accessoar. And dogs have more feelings than humans.

annaweirdo on August 20, 2014:

I don't think its right!!! Animals have feelings too. think about when u take ur dog to the groomer they get scared! I don't agree with this.

Jesper on August 02, 2014:

.,.,

shelby on June 11, 2014:

i like your dog

Hishay on May 23, 2014:

So cute I won't one

hlhay on May 13, 2014:

I wish the dogs were born looking like a panda. SO CUTE!!!

listen on May 13, 2014:

First of all. The people that think this is cruel are unaware of the meaning of the word. You are so used to the word cruel in the stories of dogfighting and the like. Now after you have read the definition im just assuming as I would do the same to make sure this is not causing pain to my animal. And on top of that does anyone that is against this have a dog? And if so is their a collar on him/her? Surely your pet loves that thing hanging around its neck for ever. Also is your pet chipped? If so did you not just put it through a surgery and pain for your own selfishness???. Now I love all animals, however if I see a stray I let it be. And if im confronted about it as to why I didn't take it in and give it shelter ( oh my god you're so mean and cruel) my response to that is always "what did these animals do before their were houses?" Surely they are doing something right because their not extinct... good day.

i am panda on April 30, 2014:

mwahahahaha

lily on January 01, 2014:

gcjl

poopoo on December 03, 2013:

love it! want 1 lllllllllllllllllooooooooollllllzzzzzzzzzz

Justine on September 21, 2013:

^ I just read through all the comments too, and I'm feeling exactly the same way.

john on December 20, 2012:

I can't believe I just read ALL the comments, that is reason enough to post.. I think. What could I have done better with that time? Ill never get it back. damn.

mel on June 09, 2012:

it is NOT cruel at all if it's doggy safe then what is the problem? Do no argue that the dog isn't able to tell us what he wants, because I'm sure dogs would LOVE to tell us that they want to defecate in the middle of the living room and eat ANYTHING that smells good to them OR is available when we aren't around, they probably will tell us to throw the leash and collar in the garbage and if it was up to any dog in the world VETS would have no open businesses.. I think that what this person did was brilliant, I'm so happy he rescued a pet and found a creative way to get rid of his fur stains, and MADE SURE THAT THE CHEMICALS IN THE DYE WOULD NOT HARM HIS PET. If he takes care of his dog, and loves it, and gives it attention, what more could you ask for?

Michelle on May 17, 2012:

some of you people really should read. It says its doggie dye and its safe. What's so cruel about that? She adopted a dog that was going to be put down and gave it a makeover. To me, she seems to really care and some of you are just ignorant.

Brittany on May 13, 2012:

HAHAHAHAHAHALOL, wow, this must be a senitive subject...let's get judge judy on this! i love pandas, everything about me is panda! love them, and i'm going to do this tomy dog, so yeah!

chassity on May 10, 2012:

they are cute i love dogs

Patricia on May 01, 2012:

There is NO black dye that is safe to place around an animals eyes or ears. So it is cruel placing these animals in danger from carcinogens. Do people read anymore?

Nia on April 29, 2012:

Oh yeah, it's sooo cruel....

It's FCKING DYED PEOPLE!!! WHAT THE F IS THE BIG DEAL?

GoVegan on April 22, 2012:

Agreed with SamB.

jamie on April 12, 2012:

it is not cute... IT IS CRAPPING ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 MY FRIEND WILL DIE TO HAVE ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!or just to see one.

Jinny on March 18, 2012:

This is a heart warming story. I really think that the whole spray paint panda bear idea is cool.

Wolfie on February 29, 2012:

To those who say this is cruel: Honestly, dogs never asked to be domesticated either. How do you know they don't think that's cruel? How do you know they like being on a leash? Or told to stop doing something they want to do? Maybe the dog thinks its cruel because you won't let it pee on your carpet? Just think about that one for a second...