Poodles made to look like pandas and camels

The Telegraph ^ | 25 Aug 2009 | staff reporter

[Daffynition]

At first glance they look like pandas, buffalos and camels, but these are all poodles that have been hilariously sheared and coloured in the name of art.

Animal photographer Ren Netherland, 48, travels thousands of miles every year photographing these stunningly convincing transformations at "creative grooming" shows.

And it's not just other animals the skilful owners ...

Movie characters like Pirates of the Caribbean hero Jack Sparrow also turn up in doggy form.

Others from the collection of super-groomed canines include a horse with a saddle carved into its fur, an American football player with a hairy helmet, and a snail.

Amazingly it takes just two hours for the creative groomers to carve their masterpieces of out of dog's coats and add props as finishing touches.

After that they are ready for the judging panel.

Expert dog snapper Ren, from Florida, USA, said: "When these dogs come into the arena for a show or a competition you have absolutely no idea what they are going to be turned into.

"The groomers do colour them before they arrive but basically all you see at first is an extremely fluffy poodle that has weird coloured patterns on it.

"The transformation they go through is simply spectacular. There's no other word for it. It's amazing what they can do in so little time."

Ren has been touring the states for 10 years on his private tour bus - his mobile base for his company animalphotography.com.

He is the only professional photographer who is brought in to capture images of the winning poodles on behalf of the show organisers.

He said: "I love my job. I get a really big kick out of it.

"Watching the owners turn these balls of hair into something so intricate and detailed really does baffle anyone watching.

[snip]

[theFIRMbss]

>That is just SOOOOOOOOOOOO wrong

I am not sure and
I may be wrong but these dogs
look like they're soooooooooooo gay.

[La Lydia]

My dog lurrrvves to get a warm bubble bath and then be towel-dried and groomed. Total dog bliss. She’s like “This is the life, this is what I deserve, cause I’m special.” That said, I don’t dye her.

[Daffynition]

Amazing! Stylish! He's got PETA on speed-dial.

[Grammy]

The ninja turtle picture is hysterical!

[Joe 6-pack]

He knows that if he calls PETA, I'm shaving him the rest of the way like last summer...

[Daffynition]

I understand. I wouldn't do that either.

Perhaps b/c this a business for groomers and there's cha-ching to be made, we can see their POV.

[Hot Tabasco]

all poodles that have been hilariously sheared and coloured in the name of art.

Further proof that the French will surrender to anything.......LOL!

[Daffynition]

LOL......what kind of drugs do you give Ranger to be able to put up with you? ;-P

[Daffynition]

HAHAHA!

[PureSolace]

[windcliff]

ping

[Daffynition]

Incredible!

[NautiNurse]

Gotta see these pics!

[bgill]

Don’t even think about doing that to a cat.

[Daffynition]

Ummmmm .......erm...........bindun..........sorry!

[Joe 6-pack]

"LOL......what kind of drugs do you give Ranger to be able to put up with you?"

Rintintinalin and cocanine.

[Daffynition]

HAHAHA! HAHAHA! HAHAHA! Guess that's the long 'n short of it.

[bgill]

I'd never have believed you'd get out alive trying to do that to a cat. Dogs have patience with humans. Cats usually don't.

[RobRoy]

>>Poor babies. They look embarrassed.<<

Heh, heh. They’re not self aware. Embarrassment is not in their repertoire of emotions.

I doubt very seriously that the one that looks like a buffalo would make good burgers either.

[Daffynition]

I can't imagine a cat sitting still long enough for that foolishness.