For most people, dressing up as a dog might sound like something reserved for costume parties or playful moments with pets. But for one man in Japan, the experience has become something far more serious – even life changing. After investing around €14,000 in a hyper realistic dog costume, he has been exploring life from a canine perspective. Now, having gained online attention and a few four legged acquaintances, he says he is ready for the next step: finding someone who shares his unusual passion.
A transformation that sparked worldwide curiosity
The man, known online as Toco, first drew attention after revealing his incredibly detailed collie dog costume, custom made by a professional studio that usually creates models and special effects for television and film.
The goal was simple but ambitious: he wanted to experience life as a dog.
To make that possible, the costume was carefully designed to replicate the look and movement of a real collie. The breed choice was not random. Toco has explained that he chose the collie partly because it is one of his favorite dogs and also because its size makes it easier for an adult human to fit comfortably inside a realistic suit.
Creating the costume required months of work and meticulous attention to detail, which explains the hefty price tag.
According to experts from the American Kennel Club, collies are known for their intelligence and friendly temperament, qualities that have made the breed famous worldwide, especially since the days of the television series Lassie. It is perhaps no surprise that someone fascinated by dogs would gravitate toward such an iconic breed.
Living a day to day life as a dog
Once the costume was complete, Toco began documenting his new lifestyle online.
Videos show him walking on all fours, interacting with real dogs, and even being taken out for walks on a leash. At first glance, the scenes can feel surreal. But watching them closely, it becomes clear that he takes the role seriously.
In one moment that quickly went viral, he cautiously approached another dog in a park. The animal sniffed him curiously before eventually relaxing, as if accepting this unusual new companion.
Moments like these highlight just how immersive the human dog costume experience can be. While it may seem unusual to outsiders, for Toco it appears to be a personal way of expressing a long standing fascination with animals.
Looking for love within the therian community
Now, after embracing his canine identity publicly, Toco says he hopes to find something many people search for: companionship.
More specifically, he is hoping to meet someone who identifies as a therian – a term used by people who feel a strong connection with an animal identity or spirit.
In his ideal scenario, that partner would share his interest and perhaps even own a similar dog costume. He imagines a relationship where the two could explore this unique lifestyle together.
“I think it would be wonderful to meet someone like that,” he has said when discussing the possibility of a partner who shares his perspective.
The concept may sound unusual, but communities centered around alternative identities and animal inspired expression have grown online in recent years. Researchers at the Kinsey Institute, which studies human identity and culture, note that digital communities often provide spaces where individuals explore forms of self expression that might feel difficult to share in everyday life.
A story that keeps evolving
For now, Toco continues to share glimpses of his life online, where curiosity about his story remains strong.
Some viewers find the idea fascinating. Others are puzzled. But reactions aside, his story highlights something universal: the desire to express identity in ways that feel authentic, even if they fall far outside traditional expectations.
Whether he eventually finds a partner who shares his passion remains to be seen. But if his journey so far is any indication, this unusual chapter of the internet’s most famous real life dog transformation is probably far from over.
