BBC defends Sheridan Smith's Pooch Perfect after animal welfare complaints

The show which features dogs in costume and with dyed fur has attracted criticism.

The BBC has jumped to the defence of Sheridan Smith's dog grooming show Pooch Perfect after a raft of complaints from viewers concerned about animal welfare.

The show, presented by Scunthorpe's own Sheridan Smith, started last month and sees 16 professional dog groomers compete over eight weeks to be crowned the best in their field in the UK.

The show was criticised by the RSPCA before it even aired when a trailer showed one canine with bright blue ears after their fur was dyed by a groomer, viewer complaints have also pointed out concerns about the outfits some dogs have been made to wear.

Dr Samantha Gaines, of the RSPCA, told Mirror Online: “We do not believe animals should be painted or dyed for cosmetic reasons.

“Our pets are intelligent and sentient; treating them in this way sends out a worrying message that they are ours to objectify and treat as fashion accessories or toys.”

The show has come under further fire since the first episode aired at the end of January and the BBC has been forced to respond to a number of viewer complaints.

The BBC issued a protracted 3000 word response to the complaints on their website which said: "Grooming is a healthy and necessary part of responsible dog ownership particularly with certain breeds.

"During the production process, the producers consulted with both the RSPCA and British Veterinary Association (BVA) to ensure best practise as regards animal welfare.

"All the challenges were designed to highlight the skills and knowledge of the professional groomers taking part in the show.

"At no point did the animal welfare team feel there was any risk to the dogs' welfare and all the dogs were monitored throughout to ensure they were happy, did not show signs of stress, that they had sufficient food and water and had adequate rest away from the studio environment.

"Of the twenty challenges across the series, four made use of some form of limited temporary colour.

"Any use of colour was strictly controlled and only used to highlight the groom and any use of colour was explained and contextualised for each groom. All colour was temporary, animal safe and washed out almost immediately depending on the dog’s coat."

Dog lover Sheridan, 39, revealed that she had been stunned by the work done by the groomers on the show saying that, with their professional reputations on the line, it was actually a really serious competition.

She is a pet owner herself and was warned before taking on the presenting role that she wasn't to come home with more animals to add to the six dogs and two donkeys she currently has.

The BBC has also defend the use of doggy costumes on the show saying that all of the outfits were checked to make sure they wouldn't impact on the animals' welfare.

The BBC statement continued: "In one groom, the dogs were dressed in an outfit. These outfits were all ‘dog friendly’ and checked by the animal welfare team to ensure that they did not restrict the dog’s movements, that the dogs did not get too hot or caused them any discomfort.

"In challenges in which contestants used some small accessories to accentuate their grooms, every item was checked by the animal welfare team and only permitted if it passed their strict criteria and did not pose any risk to the dog.

"Throughout Pooch Perfect, it is made clear that the contestants are professional groomers and that dog owners should not try these creative grooms at home.

"Every precaution was taken throughout filming to ensure each individual dog’s welfare and the production team firmly believes every dog was well treated and that no dog was harmed physically or mentally by the process."

The next episode of Pooch Perfect airs on BBC One on Thursday, February 18 at 8pm. Previous episodes are available to stream on the BBC iplayer.

Pooch Perfect, BBC One 3000 word response, January 2021

03 February 2021

Summary of complaint

We received some complaints from viewers who felt the premise of the programme sets a bad example to pet owners.

Our response

Grooming is a healthy and necessary part of responsible dog ownership particularly with certain breeds. Some breeds require more regular grooming than others to ensure that they can see properly, move easily, keep cool and breathe freely. For example, Brachycephalic dogs (like the Shih Tzus seen in episode one) need more regular grooming to prevent them from over-heating due to their shorter snouts.

During the production process, the producers consulted with both the RSPCA and British Veterinary Association (BVA) to ensure best practise as regards animal welfare. Both organisations were given details of the proposed grooming challenges and both were happy to recommend individuals who then became part of the production team. The Animal Welfare Consultant is himself an ex-RSPCA Officer, and was recommended by Dr Samantha Gaines of the RSPCA and our on-screen vet was suggested by Daniella Dos Santos, Senior Vice President, of the BVA.

All the challenges were designed to highlight the skills and knowledge of the professional groomers taking part in the show. At no point did the animal welfare team feel there was any risk to the dogs' welfare and all the dogs were monitored throughout to ensure they were happy, did not show signs of stress, that they had sufficient food and water and had adequate rest away from the studio environment. 

Of the twenty challenges across the series, four made use of some form of limited temporary colour. Any use of colour was strictly controlled and only used to highlight the groom and any use of colour was explained and contextualised for each groom. All colour was temporary, animal safe and washed out almost immediately depending on the dog’s coat.

In one groom, the dogs were dressed in an outfit. These outfits were all ‘dog friendly’ and checked by the animal welfare team to ensure that they did not restrict the dog’s movements, that the dogs did not get too hot or caused them any discomfort. In challenges in which contestants used some small accessories to accentuate their grooms, every item was checked by the animal welfare team and only permitted if it passed their strict criteria and did not pose any risk to the dog.

Whilst every owner had a very positive reaction to their dog’s groom, the production team gave them the option to have their dogs regroomed the following day. In challenges that used colour, the dogs are shown having been re-washed to highlight the temporary nature of the colour. After the series had completed filming every owner was contacted and reported that their dogs were happy and healthy, had enjoyed the process and had not suffered any ill effects.

Throughout Pooch Perfect, it is made clear that the contestants are professional groomers and that dog owners should not try these creative grooms at home. Every precaution was taken throughout filming to ensure each individual dog’s welfare and the production team firmly believes every dog was well treated and that no dog was harmed physically or mentally by the process.