Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Theme Thursday: Pets

Now that Miss B. is a young bride, we wanted to try a fancier, more feminine hairdo. In the past, I’ve always had her groomed with a simple “teddy bear” or “kennel” clip-- a very basic cut that leaves about 1” of hair on the entire body. We wanted to see what she’d look like with a more traditional poodley cut.


There are lots of different ways to clip poodles, and there are historical reasons for some of the more traditional clips. Poodles were bred long ago as “water dogs” - they were used to assist hunters with retreiving their birds. Some speculate that the puffs of longer hair left around the joints of the legs were left there to keep the joints warm in cold water. Shaved areas created less resistance and made it easier for the dogs to move through the water.



Wook at deese wittle paws. Poodles were also known as “truffle diggers.” Smaller poodle breeds were used for finding truffles and the feet were shaved so that they’d do less damage to the fungus.



Our groomer recommended a “donut” around the snout, rather than the shaved face. We may try that next time, though.


Muffin tops. 




Poodles are known to be the second most intelligent breed (after Border Collies). They’re agile, obedient and good with children.



Miss B. needs to be groomed every 6 weeks or so, or her hair starts getting matted. A good argument, I think, for learning to groom at home.

Do you like the fancy do’s on dogs?  Or do you prefer the shaggy look?

19 comments:

TALON said...

Our Charlie is a labradoodle (her mother was a standard poodle)and I have to confess I love the shaggy look though my daughter keeps bugging me to clip her down. I just like the charm of the crazy look. However, Miss B looks so adorable I might have to reconsider. My neice is a dog groomer so she'd be able to give me some lessons which would definitely save some money.

tina said...

Poodles are cute. Every six weeks of grooming though-no thanks. I have goldens and they go thru a traumatizing complete shave each spring; all except the tail and face. They don't like it but it's good for them. The fancy cuts are cute though.

dennis said...

Dennis says since hair grows back, why not try a new "do" ???
Dennis loves any attention Dennis loves going to the vet and getting brushed and bathed. Dennis thinks Betsy is easygoing and would like to try something new.

dennis said...

Dennis says Heyyyy... Dennis thought the only picture of Bets was the last one--She looks MUCH younger in the other more feminine shots! Dennis says Wow!

Ronda Laveen said...

I just plain ol' like dogs--plain or fancy. But in regards to Miss B, looking at her new-do photo and comparing it to her old-do photo on your side bar, her new cut suits her change in matronly status. She looks elegant and chic!

Two paws up!

Kitt said...

Miss B looks very cute!

You know I'm all about simple for my two. They get shaved with a No. 4 or No. 7 blade all over, with shorter face and feet and a scissored topknot (necessary because poodles have such bony pinheads). To me, the expense of grooming is worth it because I don't have hair all over my house and clothing.

Joanne said...

Oh she's a cutie. I like the fancy do's. It seems like the dogs sense how pretty they look with the pampered cuts. They almost seem to prance a little, no?

Brian Miller said...

smiles. my gramma used to have poodles...this brought back some good memories of growing up.

happy tt!

Pam J. said...

"Wook at deese wittle paws."
Guffaw!

Kris McCracken said...

A crew cut all over should do the trick!

Ash said...

I love dogs, groomed or not.... My favorite is collie..... I love that breed so much... I dream of owning one, some day.... Really cute & sophisticated..... My next favorite is a German Shepherd..... I had one which died 3 years ago.... Since then we kinda hate to get any pets home.. The time after its gone, is very hard, to bear & come to terms.... It takes years & still the thoughts don't seem to die... But memories are always a part of us.... :-)

Ash...
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

California Girl said...

interesting and informative and my first time to your blog. thanks also for visiting mine.

Miss B is an apricot is she not? My mother's cousin bred toy apricots when I was a child and I wanted one in the worst way. My father didn't like "little" dogs so we never had one. We had an airedale instead.

I'm fascinated by the reasons for clipping and shaving. Truffle digging? Never heard it before but it makes sense. They are smart dogs. She's a cutie and you speak the way I do,

"wook at deese widdle paws"

hahahaha! love doggies.

Leeuna said...

Awwwh. She is totally adorable. I love the way she is trimmed. Poodles don't shed so that's another plus for owning that breed.

garden girl said...

Aw, she's adorable either way. I think I might like the shaggy natural look a little more, but variety is the spice of life. I've been known to go dramatic from very long to very short hair several times - seems kind of fun to have a pet whose hairdos can be experimented with.

Subby said...

Hmmm...I knew about the truffle hunting but not the water thing. Miss B looks good here without getting too fancy, wot? Just right :)

MLL said...

I love poodles, but don't like the cut. Maybe I would like it more if I had a poodle mix that actually looked more like a poodle. I think your doggie is adorable!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely photos,
poodles are one of the cutest dogs...
fabulous Theme Thursday post!

I Wonder Wye said...

I adore poodles -- though we don't have any dogs after our blue heeler died (Billie, named for Billie Holiday since she sang the blues)...my childhood dog friend was an uncut little poodle named Max who was the smartest dog I've met yet. Groomed or uncut, they're all great.....

Poodlebugz said...

Miss B is a pretty girl. Thanks for commenting on my blog, and I'll definitely be back to follow her and your adventures.