French launch of a sex toy for dogs

Yes you read the headline correctly, and no it's not an April Fool. Friday saw the launch on the French market of the world's first sex toy for dogs.

Actually it has been available worldwide over the Net (I'll leave you to do the search) for the best part of a month now and orders have already been received from as far away as the United States, Israel and Japan.

But until now the "Hot Doll", developed by the 26-year-old designer Clément Eloy, hadn't actually been available here France.

That changed for the nation's dogs last week with the official launch of the product in the country in which it was created.



"To a certain extent it's an inflatable doll for dogs," said Stéphane Delimoges, the director of the company manufacturing the toy, stressing that (male) dogs sometimes have sexual needs or domination problems.

Ahem.

Well yes. Anyone who own a male dog (for that's obviously the target market) with rather randy tendencies, will know how embarrassing it can be when he makes a beeline for the nearest knee intent on humping his way to heaven.

It's one of those less-than-welcome moments for dog owners and the object of Fido's affection alike.

Described by the manufacturers as "stable, strong and ergonomic" and "designed for the utmost comfort of your pet", Hot Doll at the moment comes in a choice or two colours; black or white (with orange extremities).

But at a height of only 40 centimetres the "stylised poodle" can only be used by smaller breeds.

Owners of bigger hounds such as German Shepherds, Dobermans or Rottweilers whose pets display "behavioural problems" can take heart though as two larger models are apparently also due to be launched shortly.