Dogs dress up as angels and characters from the Nativity as part of viral Christmas trend

In a heartwarming display of festive cheer, dogs across Britain have been getting dressed up by their owners as Nativity characters.

The viral Christmas trend has so far seen almost 180 dogs take part in the charitable campaign which is being run in aid of a disabled animal charity.

Over the course of today, pet owners across the nation are invited to take part and take inspiration from the Nativity-themed dog costumes on display below.

The wave of Christmassy pooch pictures has not only been organised with the goal of raising money, but also to 'bring a smile to people's faces'.

Hannah James from Cardiff originally conjured up the idea in 2022, with a handful of owners taking part that Christmas.

Last year, the canine cohort rapidly grew to over 60 dogs, and thanks to a doubling of efforts this year it so far appears they will far surpass participation expectations.

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

'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!'

Daisy and Dandi, owned by Elisha in Berkshire, were cast as the wise dogs

Daisy and Dandi, owned by Elisha in Berkshire, were cast as the wise dogs

Billie, owned by Joanna in Newcastle, was cast as the star

Billie, owned by Joanna in Newcastle, was cast as the star

Belle, Buster and Bobby, owned by Chelsea in Portsmouth, were cast as the three kings

Belle, Buster and Bobby, owned by Chelsea in Portsmouth, were cast as the three kings

Ruby and Jasper in Chester were cast as the shepherd and the lamb

Ruby and Jasper in Chester were cast as the shepherd and the lamb

Rhubarb and Goose, owned by Kirsty in Manchester, were cast as the Inn Keepers

Rhubarb and Goose, owned by Kirsty in Manchester, were cast as the Inn Keepers

Marnie, owned by Ruby in Brighton, was cast as an angel

Marnie, owned by Ruby in Brighton, was cast as an angel

Harley and Quill, owned by Penny in North England, were cast as Inn Keepers too

Harley and Quill, owned by Penny in North England, were cast as Inn Keepers too

Heathcliff, owned by Courtney in Oxford, was another cast a shepherd

Heathcliff, owned by Courtney in Oxford, was another cast a shepherd

Lennie, owned by Zoe in Milton Keynes, was cast as a donkey

Lennie, owned by Zoe in Milton Keynes, was cast as a donkey

Cava, owned by Rosie in Chester, was cast a wise dog

Cava, owned by Rosie in Chester, was cast a wise dog

Alan, owned by Becca in North Wales, was cast as a donkey

Alan, owned by Becca in North Wales, was cast as a donkey

Babybelle, owned by Gillian in London, was another cast as an angel

Babybelle, owned by Gillian in London, was another cast as an angel

Jurgen, owned by Vicky in Northumbria, was another shepherd

Jurgen, owned by Vicky in Northumbria, was another shepherd

Ziggy, owned by Sophie in Exeter, was cast as a lamb

Ziggy, owned by Sophie in Exeter, was cast as a lamb

Biscuit, owned by Natasha in Poynton, was cast as Mary

Biscuit, owned by Natasha in Poynton, was cast as Mary

Binky, owned by Jo in London, was another wise dog

Binky, owned by Jo in London, was another wise dog

Cadi, owned by Steff in south Wales, was cast as a reindeer

Cadi, owned by Steff in south Wales, was cast as a reindeer

Cooper, owned by Sarah in Taunton, was cast as a sheperd

Cooper, owned by Sarah in Taunton, was cast as a sheperd

Organiser Hannah pictured with her dog Alffi

Organiser Hannah pictured with her dog Alffi

'If it can raise some money for a good charity and bring a smile to a few people's faces, why not', the 31-year-old said. 

The planning began weeks ago with each of the dog owners allocated a specific Nativity character. 

The role of Jesus was assigned to Milo the dog in Ayreshire, with Mary played by Biscuit in Aylesbury and Joseph taken on by another Milo in Brighton.

All proceeds raised from the stunt go towards Broken Biscuits, the UK leading disabled animal charity which is based in Lincolnshire.