BBC’ s brand-new show Pooch Perfect caused chaos on social media after its debut episode.
The BBC One’s new entertainment series stars Sheridan Smith as she heads out on a mission to find the nation’s top dog groomer.
The nail-biting series sees the contestants demonstrate their skills on the Dogwalk, giving pet owners’ beloved pooches a makeover.
And they do it all under the watchful eye of the judges – dog groomers Colin Taylor, Verity Hardcastle, and vet Bolu Eso.
Pooch Perfect proved to be a sore spot for many dog lovers who took to Twitter to slam the show after the first episode kicked off on Thursday night.
One viewer fumed that the show was "cruel" and insisted that it was "an accident waiting to happen".
“Finding it really uncomfortable watching people with dogs and scissors racing against the clock - an accident waiting to happen – it's so cruel,” they tweeted.
“These short-haired dogs don’t even need to be groomed! Omg, the poor dogs. This is a horrible show,” another echoed.
Meanwhile a third suggested: “Why don’t BBC try and come up with a nicer way to show off dogs on TV? This seems a bit extreme. They all look so scared.”
Although a large majority of viewers who tuned in weren’t overly impressed with the new primetime show, others couldn’t get enough.
“A show about dogs AND Sheridan Smith?! Count me in!” one spectator enthused.
“This is exactly what we need to see in another lockdown! Cute doggos for everyone,” another viewer tweeted.
“Love this show omg!” someone else wrote.
It comes after RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr. Samantha Gaines welcomed the show having a vet on set but added: “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.”
Pooch Perfect continues Thursdays on BBC One at 8pm.
