Next time you quietly snigger at a dog with painted toenails, just think - it could be so much worse...

A fad for so-called "creative grooming" is sweeping the States right now, with canines of all shapes and sizes having their coats dyed, shaped and pampered to create a series of extraordinary looks.

Photographer Ren Netherland travelled over 19,000 miles across the US to conventions that showcased the bizarre craze, offering up a fascinating insight into the world of extreme pooch styling.

As you can see from the photos below, these dog owners will stop at nothing to make their beloved pet stand out from the rest; using luminous dyes and oddball sculptures (like a banana cover for a tail) to bring their canine visions to life.

We can't decide whether their artistic efforts are ridiculous or just plain scary (are these dogs dying of shame inside?), but either way they make us look twice. There's even a little pooch dressed entirely as a panda...

Come see the pictures for yourselves and let us know your thoughts on creative grooming on Twitter or in comments, below.

Photos: Ren Netherland / Barcroft Media

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