GUANGZHOU - A chow chow couple walks by, the brown groom glowing with pride as he crosses the lawn. His light-colored bride has a happy bounce to her step as she passes in her lace wedding gown.

A toy poodle, a bachelor, that had been "speed-dating" with a group of poodle girls, is fascinated by the chow chow beauty and starts following her. But the groom catches on and scares the rival away.

The chow chow couple and amorous toy poodle were at a Valentine's Day party for dogs, where they could take wedding photos or look for a date.

More than 50 dogs attended the event on Saturday in a park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. All were well-dressed.

Liu Fang, the toy poodle's owner, said dogs also have a need and right to find that special someone and celebrate Valentine's Day.

The 50-something retiree has had her pet, Qiao Ba, for almost two years. Since August, she has posted two marriage advertisements online for her pet.

"Qiao Ba is upset and has no appetite when he gets frisky," Liu said. "I can send him to a pet shop for breeding, but he has his own taste, and I should respect his right to choose a mate."

Two poodles and their owners at a Valentine's Day party for pet dogs in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, on Saturday. Zou Zhongpin / China Daily