Dogs on the catwalk

Updated 12.42 Mon Jan 14 2008

Keywords: animals, fashion, dogs, world

A fashion show in Tokyo has been showing off exactly what the best-dressed dogs will be wearing this year.

The show proved canine couture has moved on from tartan waistcoats worn by Yorkshire terriers as greyhounds were paraded in crystal-studded garments and other breeds wrapped up warm in knitted numbers.

"Everywhere you go all over the world you see people with clothes on their dogs" - Bjorn Gardsby

Bjorn Gardsby, a dog outfit designer for Swarovski, said: "Everywhere you go all over the world today, you see people with clothes on their dogs.

"Paris Hilton started this trend again, but this is an old thing. And I think Japan is one of the first countries that started dog clothing."

Dog fashion is becoming a significant industry in Japan, where there are more pooches than children under the age of ten.

Dog owner Maiko Takahashi said: "I just want to listen to everything it wants. All its says obviously is 'woof woof" but I know what its trying to say. So I just want to do something for it."