TAIWANESE high society types have sparked a bizarre new pet trend – dyeing their dogs to look like wild animals.

Taking pride of place at this weekend's Taipei Pet Show was a retriever looking ever inch like a mini Bengal tiger and a Chow who could have reasonably been passed-off as a panda.

 And the split-personality pets are an increasingly common sight on the streets of the Taiwan capital.

Dog-lover Lu Hsein who's pet Labrador has been dyed to look like a leopard said: “It is crazy but fun. We think our pets love it and we try to make people smile.”