Many dog owners fear that their beloved animals will be stolen. Certain rare and expensive dog breeds are a serious target for dog thieves.
But one woman’s strategy to protect her dog from thieves has caused a stir and controversy online – some praise the idea, others question the owner’s intentions.
Chloe is the owner of a two-year-old Great Pyrenees named Dandy, who has a very unusual appearance: His fur is bright red – thanks to a special pet dye applied by his owner.
Her decision to dye Dandy red immediately met with mixed reactions on TikTok. Many comments read “poor dog” and expressed doubts about the health safety of the dye. Others, however, were delighted with Dandy’s unique appearance and compared him to the character Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
Chloe assured her followers that she only uses vegan, pet-friendly dye (reportedly products from Opawz) and explained her reasons for the drastic change in subsequent videos.
Part of her motivation was to “protect him from theft,” as the breed is rare in her area.
Chloe also wrote that Dan seems to like his new color because he “loves people and children” and the red color apparently makes him more “approachable.”
She also said she wants to “educate others about safe pet dyeing” and has shared more videos demonstrating how to dye dogs safely.
Dandy’s TikTok videos—which have garnered over 10 million likes and more than 318,000 followers—continue to spark controversy.
Critics question Chloe’s intentions, saying the dye is unlikely to deter potential dog thieves and that she’s just looking for attention.
Supporters, however, emphasize that Dandy appears to be a happy and well-cared-for dog, doesn’t know his color, and that his owner has the right to dye him as long as it’s safe and humane.
Despite his popularity, Dandy’s TikTok has been inactive since February. On Instagram, the last post was from July and shows Dandy with his natural coat color, which has faded.
Chloe wrote that he needed “a touch-up” and said he would “be red again soon” – it’s currently unclear what color Dandy is.
However, many comments urged her not to dye the dog again, preferring Dandy to be his “true colors.”
What do you think about the decision to dye Dandy bright red? Is it a clever way to protect against kidnapping – or unnecessary and mistreatment?
Please share this story and feel free to leave your opinion in the comments.
