Sheridan Smith’s BBC show Pooch Perfect is axed after just one series… after being slammed as ‘degrading’ by dog lovers
Sheridan Smith’s BBC show Pooch Perfect has been axed after just one series.
The show, hosted by the actress, 40, saw dog groomers battle it out to give their hounds the most impressive looks.
However when the series aired earlier this year dog lovers slammed the show’s creators as ‘cruel’ after judges asked contestants to dye fur and paint claws.
Oh dear: Sheridan Smith’s BBC show Pooch Perfect has been axed after just one series
A statement given to Metro by the BBC regarding the axing of the show read: ‘Pooch Perfect brought plenty of light relief to viewers during lockdown.
‘Whilst the show won’t be returning, we’d like to thank Sheridan, the judges, animal experts, groomers and pet owners plus Beyond Productions for bringing such joy when we needed it most.’
The BBC has been contacted by MailOnline for a comment.
When it was announced that Sheridan – who owns six dogs herself – would be hosting Pooch Perfect, she said: ‘This is my first prime-time hosting gig, I can’t believe I got asked to be honest!.
Poor thing: When the series aired earlier this year dog lovers slammed the show’s creators as ‘cruel’ after judges asked contestants to dye fur and paint claws
‘But I am a huge dog lover and the time just seemed right, I had just had my son, Billy, so it was an absolute honour to be asked.’
Earlier this year dog lovers slammed the show’s creators as ‘cruel’ after judges asked contestants to dye fur and paint claws.
One episode of the programme saw judges Colin Taylor and Verity Hardcastle set groomers the challenge of using bright colours to create a look on three toy poodles and a terrier.
Taylor told the contestants: ‘I want you to use thoughtful, temporary colour to enhance an impeccable cut.’
Presenter: The show, hosted by the actress, 40, saw dog groomers battle it out to give their hounds the most impressive looks
Meanwhile Hardcastle quipped: ‘What girl doesn’t want to have her nails done before a night out?’
The episode saw four dog groomers hoping to bag a place in the quarter finals of the show given three white poodles and a Yorkshire Terrier to makeover with a variety of pet-safe dyes and accessories.
A BBC spokesperson says the show’s makers ensured the ‘care and wellbeing of the dogs was of the upmost importance’ during the challenge.
The resulting looks – shown off on the ‘dogwalk’ – used dramatic colours, glitter, jewellery and paint on the dogs’ claws but sparked a raft of complaints on Twitter.
Before: One episode of the show saw four dog groomers vying for a place in the quarter-final by dramatically transforming how poodles and a Yorkshire terrier looked. Pictured: Dolly the poodle before her make-over
Hello Dolly: After the challenge, the poodle wore hues of pink, yellow and blue on the top of her head, and a fishnet bolero around her chest
One fluffy-haired toy poodle, Dolly, emerged with her groomer wearing hues of pink, yellow and blue on the top of her head, and a fishnet bolero around her chest.
On her claws, there was a bright red polish.
Elsewhere, Noah the poodle was given bright blue ears and a necklace by groomer Mich, while Michael left his poodle Alaska with faded out yellow and pink ears and a pink heart around her bottom, something judge Colin Taylor admitted he ‘didn’t want to see’.
@Haylestone88 wrote: ‘Shocked at how cruel #PoochPerfect is! Using dyes, glitter etc on dogs is encouraging people to treat dogs as accessories, & people may use products that are fatal for dogs if trying to copy the TV look. It’s not natural & dogs can’t consent! Love dogs for how they are!’
@bret70_brett agreed, saying: ‘I’ve just flicked through the channels and this car crash is on, has the BBC ever wasted license fee payers so much before, its awful and cruel.’
@CruisieDave wrote: ‘So since when has it been acceptable to paint and dye a dog. They are animals! Society complains about cruelty to animals yet the @BBCOne #PoochPerfect think this is entertainment.’
However, some defended the show, saying the dogs wouldn’t know whether they had dye on their fur. @_isabel_ds wrote: ‘Cruel? They clearly stated not to try it at home and leave to the professionals, all products used were also dog friendly.’
MailOnline contacted Pooch Perfect’s makers for comment at the time. An official BBC Spokesperson said: ‘When temporary colour was used it was kept to a minimum and, as shown in the programme, it washes out easily and was used to demonstrate specific areas of skill and creativity.
Upset: Viewers weren’t happy with the show and took to Twitter to give their opinions
‘All the products were animal safe and the grooms were performed by professionals who have great experience of handling and managing dogs. The series displays many aspects of dog grooming, including use of temporary colour, and it is consistently stressed that these grooms should only be carried out by professionals.
‘The care and wellbeing of the dogs was of the upmost importance and on set we had a Vet who was recommended by the British Veterinary Association, an RSPCA approved Animal Welfare Consultant and a highly qualified Grooming Consultant to ensure the dogs’ safety and welfare.
‘Pooch Perfect prides itself in promoting responsible pet care and ownership and in no way encourages viewers to try any of these activities at home.
‘We firmly believe that the dogs enjoyed their pampering in the hands of these skilled professionals and by highlighting the positive impact that professional groomers can have on a dogs’ health and happiness, the series seeks to positively influence the way people treat their beloved pets.’
Jody Gordon, the series’ animal welfare consultant, who spent nearly 20 years working for the RSPCA and who co-wrote the RSPCA’s own ‘Guidelines for the Welfare of Performing Animals’ said: ‘The series is there to highlight the skills and knowledge of professional groomers and not to encourage owners to ‘experiment’ with their own dog.
In the episode, care is taken to ensure that there is no suggestion that the series is a set of instructions for ‘how to do this at home’. All owners should only ever use animal safe products when grooming their dogs including shampoos, colours, sprays or any other product that they may wish to use in the care of their dog and this was always highlighted throughout the series.’
Happy: When it was announced that Sheridan – who owns six dogs herself – would be hosting Pooch Perfect, she said: ‘This is my first prime-time hosting gig, I can’t believe I got asked to be honest!’
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