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A dog owner was left "horrified" after picking up her pet from the groomers to discover his drastic new haircut.

She had shown the groomer inspiration photos, confident that her "little poodle" would be well cared for and she'd be collecting a "handsome boy".

However, she was shocked when she saw him - with some social media users evenlikening him to a "rat" after seeing his transformation.

In a TikTok video, the owner, known as @sadetdiaz online, shared before-and-after footage of her dog, captioning it: "I'm traumatised! I will be brushing him daily from now on because who is this even."

She had envisioned a charming, fluffy bubble-style trim, but instead he was shaved so closely that his breed was barely discernible at first sight.

Upon collecting him, she said: "Who the f*** is this? Many lessons were learned this day."

Responding to her post, one user advised: "The next appointment he will look like what you pictured, but he was matted. Don't wait too long and brush every day."

Another said: "Oh wow, he must have been matted pretty badly. Taking mine tomorrow - hopefully she doesn't come out the same."

A third suggested: "He was probably too matted. We take my doodle every three months now and he finally got the teddy bear cut!"

An additional user added: "Make sure you brush with a slicker brush down to the skin and run a metal comb through it to ensure no mats! It's a lot of work between grooms (mum of three large poodles)."

Even though many people believe poodles and doodles are minimal-shedding breeds requiring scant upkeep, this assumption couldn't be more wrong.

To ensure your dog's coat remains in good condition, owners must arrange frequent grooming sessions and undertake daily coat care at home to avoid tangling.

According to Wow Grooming: "Poodle coat upkeep at home is important. Tangles and knots lead to serious matting very quickly and can be painful.

"They also trap dirt, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, leading to skin conditions, infections and sometimes costly trips to the vet.

"If you have a puppy, get them used to regular home grooming to reduce stress later on. Establish a relaxing routine of daily brushing, focusing on areas where the most friction occurs, like the armpits or anywhere a harness might rub.

"Plan into your budget a monthly visit to the groomer to keep your dog's coat in optimal condition. A coat that is clipped short will reduce daily brushing and help keep it clean in between visits."