Over 175 dogs dressed up as Nativity characters for Christmas

By Amy Reast

Over 175 dogs have been dressed up as Nativity characters for a festive Instagram display.

After more than 60 dogs took part in the festive stunt last year, the team doubled their efforts again this year.

The Nativity display, which owners are posting throughout the course of today, is in aid of a disabled animal rescue charity.

The group of dog owners banded together on Instagram to divvy up the main characters - including Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Angel.

More are joining on the day too - to create a wave of Christmassy pooch pics to "bring a smile to people's faces".

The original Nativity idea came from Hannah James, 31, from Cardiff, back in 2022 with just a handful of dogs taking part after the owners met online.

Hannah, who has seen the event snowball since then, said: "People have been so excited to take part, and have been planning their outfits.

"It's just something fun and wholesome, you see so many bad things on social media but this is just cute dogs celebrating Christmas.

"My dog, Alffi, couldn't care less - I've dressed him up as a reindeer, and he just sits there in his outfit until I let him go!

"If it can raise some money for a good charity and bring a smile to a few people's faces, why not?"

Characters were allocated to each of the original 150 dog owners involved in the plan on Instagram.

They all went away and bought, sourced or made their costumes before the big reveal today (Mon).

Jesus is played by Milo the dog, owned by Erin, from Ayreshire.

Mary is played by Biscuit the dog, whose owner is Natasha, from Aylesbury.

Joseph is played by a different Milo, whose owner is Ruby, from Brighton.

The stunt is in aid of Broken Biscuits, the UK's leading disabled animal advocacy charity, which is based in Lincolnshire.