Cosmetic surgery for dogs is real and lucrative business.

Now, for the first time, liposuction is available outside Germany at the University of Sydney’s new $2.3 million Canine Teaching Hospital, which opened last week.

The university’s associate professor in small animal surgery, Geraldine Hunt, introduced the technology here two years ago, and has so far performed the procedure, which can cost about $2000, on 15 dogs.

However, Dr Hunt urged owners to review their pets’ exercise and diet regime before considering any surgical procedures.

"I would have to be very careful about whether to recommend it for cosmetic reasons. It is much more responsible to look at what is in the best interests of the dog."

The story also says that owners were asking for testicular implants for their pooches, most often so they could compete in dog shows, be exported for sale overseas or to negate a prostate problem.

But, occasionally, people requested the $400 procedure — which excludes the cost of the implants in small, medium and large — for the sake of appearances.

Randwick Veterinary Hospital’s Andrew Herron said,

"I would definitely be counselling these people that this is a cosmetic procedure and they’d have to give me a pretty good reason to do it. If it was to show off down the park, I’d probably suggest I take them from him and put his in the dog."