Dog Ice Cream Targets Austrian Canines

It's fat-free, comes in three flavors, and it's for ... dogs.

Introducing ''Dogissimo'' — an ice cream created specifically for canines that has gone on sale at a local ice cream parlor.

With temperatures in Vienna topping 95 degrees for almost a week, the treat — available in rice, vanilla-rice and soy flavors — has the potential to become a hit during the dog days of summer.

Simona Leonardini, who concocted the doggie delight, said she hopes it will help man's best friend deal with the sizzling heat.

''I own three dogs myself and if it's hot, they desperately need to cool down,'' she said.

Leonardini, who declined to divulge the recipe, used her Golden Retrievers as testers to get the taste just right.

She also consulted with veterinarians and stressed that the dessert doesn't contain additives or artificial coloring.

The Viennese, like the Parisians, are generally dog-loving and often take their four-legged friends along when they run errands or go about their daily lives. It's not uncommon to spot dogs snoozing in cafes, waiting outside groceries or riding the city's trams and buses.

''Dogissimo'' is just one in a series of dog fads that have surfaced in Austria in recent weeks. An open-air movie theater opened Thursday night that encourages dog owners to bring their pets.