A Perfect Hair Day: The Coiffed to Kill Dogs of Groomed – Book Review

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Me? I suffer over the frizzies on my bad hair days. I know lots of ladies and some men who are right there with me. The dogs in Groomed, photographer Paul Nathan‘s new book, are having a perfect hair day. These dogs are coiffed to kill, and they should be. They’re all about to take the stage in various big grooming competitions, showcasing the skill and vision of their groomer artists. I say artists because dog grooming, at this level, is a living art form. These dogs are as much muses as any of Karl Lagerfeld’s favorite models. We may roll our eyes or scoff at the extreme nature of a dog so intricately coiffed and it may not be for us, but we can’t deny the talent that goes into creating it.

Conner
photo by: Paul Nathan

I loved Groomed. It’s one of those perfect coffee table books that spark conversation. Nathan’s photos are interesting and, in many cases, elegant. Take Conner, the Kerry Blue Terrier. Paul has captured him in a lovely moment, where he’s gracefully arching his head and neck. Or Aggie, the Standard Poodle who’s crossing her front paws and giving us a big smile, as if to say, “I know I’m pretty!”

The pages are peppered with quotes from illustrious  people who love dogs, like Edith Wharton, who once said, “My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet,” or one I also love, origin unknown, “A dog is nothing but a furry person.” We knew that! 🙂

Phantom
photo by: Paul Nathan

The Foreword is written by celebrity groomer, Jorge Bendersky, whose own book recently released called DIY Dog Grooming, From Puppy Cuts to Best in  Show: Everything You Need to Know, Step by Step. Bark and Swagger reviewed that book in a previous post you can read here. Bendersky reminds us that the human-canine bond applies to dog grooming, too, and that the connection and trust between groomer and dog is the launching point from which a truly successful creation blossoms.  He also shared some pretty cool information about the origin of the poodle cut, probably one of the most-talked-about styles of any dog breed. The puffs and balls and all manner of crazy we see on Poodles were originally created to improve their performance as hunting dogs, the breed’s original purpose. The show ring-coiffed Poodle we see today, had those puffs and bracelets carved onto its coat to protect its body when it swam in the cold waters of a lake, while retrieving game. Jorge tells us the chest, neck and head were left full, to insulate the lungs and brain, while the bracelets kept the joints warm. That funny pompom on the tip of the tail was so the hunter could easily keep visual track of his dog. Who knew??

Chase
photo by: Paul Nathan

Paul Nathan is a real artist at his craft. His work has been published in books, magazines and newspapers around the world. You might remember another of his releases that got a lot of attention, called Couture Dogs of New York, where he captured the ultra fabu dogs of New York City’s elite.

I would recommend Groomed for those who appreciate artistic dog photography and for those who appreciate dog grooming as art. Paul devotes a few pages at the back to extreme grooming which, for me, should be relegated to the runway. Some of the work is astounding, and I know from vets I’ve spoken with, that the dogs don’t know or care that they’re walking around multi-colored and carved. But, I can’t help thinking that, if they knew, they might very well care. I mean, you wouldn’t catch me walking around with rainbow hair and a carved scalp. But, maybe that’s just me. 🙂

Macy
photo by: Paul Nathan

Rating:

5 out of 5

Where to buy: Amazon

Price: $24.36

Professional dog grooming – art or uh uh? Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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