Pet shops in China are selling out of adorable 'Panda Dogs' as the country goes crazy for the fluffy black-and-white canines.

Despite their appearance, the dogs are not some bizarre new breed - but common Chows which have undergone a clever cosmetic makeover.

In Chengdu city in southwest China’s Sichuan province, pet shop owner Hsin Ch'en cannot satisfy demand among the country's new middle class who want the cute dogs as pets.

"Ten years ago the natural instinct of a Chinese person was to eat a dog," he said. "Now we are like westerners and want one as a companion. The cute breeds like French bulldogs and Labradors were the favourites, but now it is the panda dog."

Hsin Ch'en said he had perfected the technique of making a Chow resemble a panda - which is taking China by storm.

He said: "With a bit of careful grooming and colouring it is easy to turn a chow into a panda dog in about two hours.

"Then the look will stay with the dog for around six weeks and the owners bring them back for some touching up.

"There are no chemicals or cruelty involved. But the price of the dog does rise significantly because of the amount of grooming that goes into it.

"People don't mind paying the extra though - they like the fact that heads turn in the street and they can tell their friends: 'I have a panda dog'."