Rent-a-dog service arrives from America - but leaves British animal lovers growling in disapproval

Flexpetz is an American concept enabling dog lovers craving canine companionship to borrow a pet at a cost of £279 once a week for a month.

Gucci, an 18-month-old Pomeranian, has been the first canine recruit to Flexpetz's London operation but more are expected to be available in the future.

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According to Flexpetz, checks are carried out on potential part-time owners and visits are made to their homes to satisfy them that the dog will be cared for.

The introduction of the service is intended to appeal to people who are too busy or who cannot afford the full-time commitment of looking after a dog.

Pippa Woolard, Flexpetz's UK representative, said: "I like to get to know them before they are accepted - and would not allow a dog with anyone who gave me cause for concern."

But concerns have been raised that passing a dog from one home to another could prove distressing to the animal, leaving it with no routine.

Animal behaviourist Ryan Neile, of pet welfare charity Blue Cross UK, said: "Dogs are dependent on meaningful lifelong relationships with their human owners.

"Both parties of the human-dog partnership develop a strong bond which is underpinned by both trust and understanding. The more deep-rooted a relationship becomes, the more stable and secure the dog will be.

"The opposite effect occurs when a dog is passed around from one person or home to another.

"They become confused, distressed and unpredictable, something we sadly see all too often in dogs that come to the Blue Cross."

The RSPCA has also registered its disquiet about the scheme, saying that not giving a dog a secure routine could leave it unhappy.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said: "The concept of renting out dogs as a 'time share' equivalent is detrimental to the dog, leading to all kinds of confusion for the animal.

"There are already plenty of opportunities in the UK for people who don't feel they have enough time to own a dog to be able to take part in dog-related activities."

A Dogs Trust spokesman said today: "We don't agree with the principle of renting or loaning out a pet, because an animal, and dogs in particular, have a certain bond with its family.

"To remove it from that environment by putting it out to rent is quite distressing and we would actually say detrimental to the well-being of the dog.

"While we appreciate that people may not be able to afford the financial commitment or the time to take a dog for walks, we don't feel the service offered by Flexpetz offers the right facility."

She said that people looking for canine companionship can instead attend one of the Dogs Trust's 17 centres in the UK on volunteer days to take dogs for walks.

In addition, the organisation offers a scheme enabling dog lovers to sponsor an animal for £1 a week for either themselves or someone else, the spokesman added.