Doggy Nightmares: 8 Miserable Dog-testants In An Extreme Dog Grooming Competition

Wild! That’s the only word for the insane haircuts and dye jobs this collection of pups received in order to compete in an annual extreme dog grooming competition, held each year in Pasadena, Florida. The winning groomer receives $5,000, but what does the winning dog get? Humiliation? Ridicule from his fellow doggy friends?

This year’s winner (pictured) was Kobe the poodle (it seems there’s a disproportionate number of poodles stuck competing in these things), who was groomed into an array of Sesame Street characters and accompanied by his very own Oscar the Grouch. Groomer Catherine “Cat” Opson was inspired to create the design to encourage her fellow groomers to be nice to each other.  “I wanted to remind people that we could live a little more like children and get along,” she said.

How nice! But we’re not quite sure how the dogs feel about it. After the jump, more shots from the competition.

Shark Dog

This guy is living every week like it’s Shark Week.

Pink Flamingo Dog

Yo, this dog is totally for the birds.

Big Top Dog

“Hey baby, I’m a tiger in the front but all elephant in the back.”

Under the Sea?

I’m not surrrre what this groomer was going for? “Finding Nemo” meets basketball?

Yoda Dog

Dog I am, in stupid colors, I am.

Mechanical Doggie

You can really see his gears turning, can’t you?

Goofy Dog

Original by: Julie Gerstein