This pampered pooch is sure to make your jaw drop for a second glance as she struts through parks and sidewalks while modeling the latest in designer clothing.
Meet Tika, the 12-year-old Italian greyhound who likes to dress up in stylish clothes and attend exclusive fashion events around the world, along with her owner Thomas Sharpio, 32, from Montreal, Canada.
This stylish canine often wears custom-made couture clothing, with a clothing closet worth $20,000, and is a regular at Fashion Week events in Paris, New York and Milan.
Today, Tika has a wardrobe of 400 luxury items, and when she’s not walking runways around the world, she indulges in a fresh, raw diet tailored to her needs.
Owner Thomas spends an average of $60 a week on Tika’s food, about $500 every two months.
Meet Tika, the 12-year-old Italian greyhound who likes to dress up in elegant clothes and attend exclusive fashion events around the world.
This stylish canine often wears custom-made couture clothing, with a clothing closet worth $20,000, and is a regular at Fashion Week events in Paris, New York and Milan.
Thomas and his partner Louis, 36, have two children together, Harrison, two, and Eleanor, one, along with a one-year-old Italian greyhound called Kala, who they also like to dress in a variety of luxurious outfits.
Although many of Tika’s pieces have been given away due to her sponsorships with brands, full-time content creator Thomas said of Tika’s impressive wardrobe: “All of her clothes are custom-made.”
‘They can range from $100 to $170 per item. Most dresses cost between $170 and $510.
Because the weather in Montreal is often cold, rainy or covered in layers of ice and snow, Thomas and Louis, the project manager, have always dressed Tika in clothes.
Thomas said: “Breeds like greyhounds are like humans, she had a wardrobe even before we started sharing photos online.” We live in Canada and it is always cold and rainy. You have to be prepared.’
In 2016, Thomas began posting Tika outfits online, drawing inspiration from the likes of Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher.
She said: “I get most of my inspiration from today’s catwalks, but also from people like Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher – you know the icons.”
After quickly amassing a huge following online, the refined pup has now had the opportunity to work with big fashion brands such as Boss, Dior, Chanel, Fendi and Vogue.
Thomas and his partner Louis, 36, have two children together, along with a one-year-old Italian greyhound called Kala (right), who they also like to dress in a variety of luxurious outfits.
In 2016, Thomas began posting Tika outfits online, drawing inspiration from the likes of Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher.
Tika currently has a wardrobe of 400 luxury items and when not walking runways around the world, she indulges in a fresh, raw diet tailored to her needs.
On a daily basis, Tika wears more practical clothing and puts on a jumpsuit, a coat, boots, a hat and a hairnet.
The exposure has also meant that Tika has been granted the privilege of walking the catwalk at fashion weeks around the world.
Day by day, Tika wears more practical clothes and puts on a jumpsuit, a coat, boots, a hat and a hairnet.
Thomas said: ‘When choosing an outfit, it can vary. If it is day to day we look for comfort. She wears a jumpsuit, she is already very used to it.’
Once Tika ‘retires’, the youngest dog, Kala, will also be ready to follow in the diva dog’s footsteps.
Thomas said: ‘Kala will take over. But she’s not really going to slow down and we will never force her.’
Tika and Kala are on a strict diet to ensure they stay fit, healthy and camera-ready, but are fed foods packed with protein and fibre.
Thomas explained: ‘We always feed them freeze-dried raw food. We give them supplements and give them fresh vegetables and fruits. The girls love it and are in great shape.’
Not only are the dogs pampered with endless designer clothes, trips abroad and a tasty and varied diet, but the dogs are given a king-size bed to sleep alongside their owners.
After quickly amassing a huge following online, the refined pup has now had the opportunity to work with big fashion brands such as Boss, Dior, Chanel, Fendi and Vogue.
Thomas said of Tika’s impressive wardrobe: ‘All her clothes are custom made. ‘They can range from $100 to $170 per item. Most dresses are between $170 and $510.
Thomas believes Tika is a trendsetter and icon, and says she has paved the way for fashion brands to expand their pet clothing ranges.
Tika and Kala can sleep up to 21 hours a day and have 12 dog beds throughout the house, but Thomas insists that the dogs feel most comfortable near a heat source.
She said: ‘They sleep in a king-size bed with me and my husband. They’re always looking for warmth, they love being around you.’
Thomas believes Tika is a “trendsetter” and “icon”, and claims she has paved the way for fashion brands to expand their pet clothing ranges, while also inspiring other dog owners to dress their puppies in haute couture clothing.
He said: “Other dogs are dressing up now. I think Tika started this. When you go to a store there are more options for dogs than there were five or six years ago.”
Meanwhile, another dog in Australia is living her best life with inspired and inventive meals that look like they were prepared in a Michelin-starred restaurant, with ingredients including caviar, moose and salmon on the menu.
Shannon Arney, 32, a stay-at-home mum from Tasmania, feeds her dog Echo, a Smithfield-border collie cross, an entirely raw diet to ensure he has the “best nutrition”.