Dashing dogs show carnival spirit in Rio

Holidaymakers from across the globe are descending on Rio for the world-famous carnival, and those missing the pet pooches they left at home enjoyed seeing how the city's dogs get in the carnival mood.

The Blocao dog carnival, on Copacabana Beach, gives Rio de Janeiro's canine citizens a chance to join the celebrations and get into the party mood. It is one of a large number of street parties taking place in the Brazilian city this month.

Dog owners dressed their pooches up to the nines for this year's parade, with the pampered pets displaying their finery for onlookers on group tours. Emulating the flamboyant costumes worn by human revellers in the Rio Carnival, there were tutu-wearing terriers, Labradors with permed fur, pugs wearing fairy wings and even a Dachshund dressed as a hot dog.

Marco Antonio Toto, who organises Blocao, said the Copacabana neighbourhood had the largest number of dog owners per square metre and they really went to down during this unusual celebration.

The official 2012 Rio Carnival will start on February 8 and finish on February 12.