GROOMED PAUL NATHAN
Groomed
Mar 22, 2016
Wonderfully colourful, beautifully lit, artistic studio portraits of some of the world's best groomed Poodles, Cockerspaniels, Bichon Frise's, Bedlington Terriers and more.
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GROOM
EDPAU
L NATH
AN
54
In the grooming world an expert eye and a pair of talented, well-trained hands are only part of the process. To achieve the perfect canine haircut, beauty must coexist with and be dictated by harmony. The art of dog grooming is not only about highlighting the anatomical points that bring balance to the animal, it’s also about the deep connection between dog and groomer. For a successful outcome dogs must trust, cooperate with, and essentially bond with their groomer.
The harmony in the lines I set out to create on a dog's coat is dependent on the connection that takes place on the grooming table. Groomer and dog will "perform" for a few hours—one could say they perform a dance where they move together, like dancers on a ballroom floor. The skilled groomer will lead his dance partner to an elevated state of beauty and at the same time he will gain the dog's trust to literally achieve a work of art.
As a young boy growing up in Argentina, there were few things that took my breath away as much as the sight of a beautiful dog. Little did I know then that my passion for magnificently coiffed dogs would lead me to New York City where I would become a "celebrity dog groomer,” trimming and fluffing the four-legged children belonging to some of Manhattan’s elite. Of course, for me, the dogs are the true stars.
Each dog I meet has its own aura and personality. My task as a dog groomer is to capture and enhance that particular animal’s singularity with a distinguished and fashionably tasteful grooming style that brings out the best attributes of not only that particular breed, but also that individual dog.
As I have progressed in my career, I have begun to understand dog grooming as an art form where the goal becomes all about the visual pleasure that stems from balance, symmetry, and freedom of movement. When I look at a well-groomed and well-put together dog my objectivity gets blurry for a moment and I just see flowing lines. That's how I'm able to visualize the full finished effect of the perfectly groomed dog.
Styles in the art of dog grooming are like living, breathing entities that have evolved considerably through the years. For example, featured in this photographic essay is one of the most fashionable of all grooming styles, the Poodle clip, which distinguishes perhaps the most iconic dog in the grooming world. Yet as we admire these proud creatures with their chic pompoms, few of us realize that this most recognizable of hairstyles was originally designed to improve a Poodle’s performance as a hunting dog—the breed's original purpose.
Although there are a number of Poodle clips, the perfectly shaped puffs and bracelets on the forelegs and hind legs that we see today prancing around the show ring were originally strategically carved on the dog's coat to protect its swimming body from the cold waters of a lake while retrieving game. The chest, neck and head were left full to insulate the lungs and brain, while the bracelets kept the joints warm. The pompon on the tip of the tail made it easy for the hunter to keep visual track of the dog. Then, too, it was practical to shave the private parts to keep the dog clean and grooming maintenance to a minimum.
The Bichon Frisé is another dog with its own story of transformation in style that evolved from a relaxed, scruffy-looking hairdo to today's precision cookie cutter outline that distinguishes this charming little clown-like breed. Interestingly, the modern Bichon's coat style is attributed to the great dog man, expert, and trendsetter, Frank Sabella. Sabella not only singlehandedly redesigned the Bichon clip, but is also one of the world's foremost authorities on Poodles and Poodle grooming for the show ring as well as so many other breeds. Trendsetters like Sabella have inspired others to elevate the art of dog grooming to new heights that demonstrate that the beauty of a haircut does not change a good dog, but just makes it prettier.
Over time as breeds became more glamorized, some dog hairstyles were influenced by popular culture and began to follow fashion trends as well as groomers' tastes and imaginations. If it's true that “the bigger the hair, the closer to God,” well then let's just say that 1950's and 1960's hair was at Heaven's Gate with the help of lots of hair spray and teasing. The beehive hairdos popular with women found their parallel with even bigger and better poodle topknots. And certainly in this book it is easy to spot the styles that are influenced by today’s fashions.
In Groomed one has the rare opportunity to admire the glorified result of a living art form that springs from this time-honored relationship between dogs and humans. Paul Nathan photographed most of the dogs in this book at a high profile grooming competition paying special attention to the aesthetic accomplishments of some of the world’s top dog groomers. His portraits showcase beauty for beauty’s sake and honor this thousand-years-old art form that sees dogs and humans team up for an exceptional kind of pleasure and delight.
Jorge Bendersky
Foreword
54
In the grooming world an expert eye and a pair of talented, well-trained hands are only part of the process. To achieve the perfect canine haircut, beauty must coexist with and be dictated by harmony. The art of dog grooming is not only about highlighting the anatomical points that bring balance to the animal, it’s also about the deep connection between dog and groomer. For a successful outcome dogs must trust, cooperate with, and essentially bond with their groomer.
The harmony in the lines I set out to create on a dog's coat is dependent on the connection that takes place on the grooming table. Groomer and dog will "perform" for a few hours—one could say they perform a dance where they move together, like dancers on a ballroom floor. The skilled groomer will lead his dance partner to an elevated state of beauty and at the same time he will gain the dog's trust to literally achieve a work of art.
As a young boy growing up in Argentina, there were few things that took my breath away as much as the sight of a beautiful dog. Little did I know then that my passion for magnificently coiffed dogs would lead me to New York City where I would become a "celebrity dog groomer,” trimming and fluffing the four-legged children belonging to some of Manhattan’s elite. Of course, for me, the dogs are the true stars.
Each dog I meet has its own aura and personality. My task as a dog groomer is to capture and enhance that particular animal’s singularity with a distinguished and fashionably tasteful grooming style that brings out the best attributes of not only that particular breed, but also that individual dog.
As I have progressed in my career, I have begun to understand dog grooming as an art form where the goal becomes all about the visual pleasure that stems from balance, symmetry, and freedom of movement. When I look at a well-groomed and well-put together dog my objectivity gets blurry for a moment and I just see flowing lines. That's how I'm able to visualize the full finished effect of the perfectly groomed dog.
Styles in the art of dog grooming are like living, breathing entities that have evolved considerably through the years. For example, featured in this photographic essay is one of the most fashionable of all grooming styles, the Poodle clip, which distinguishes perhaps the most iconic dog in the grooming world. Yet as we admire these proud creatures with their chic pompoms, few of us realize that this most recognizable of hairstyles was originally designed to improve a Poodle’s performance as a hunting dog—the breed's original purpose.
Although there are a number of Poodle clips, the perfectly shaped puffs and bracelets on the forelegs and hind legs that we see today prancing around the show ring were originally strategically carved on the dog's coat to protect its swimming body from the cold waters of a lake while retrieving game. The chest, neck and head were left full to insulate the lungs and brain, while the bracelets kept the joints warm. The pompon on the tip of the tail made it easy for the hunter to keep visual track of the dog. Then, too, it was practical to shave the private parts to keep the dog clean and grooming maintenance to a minimum.
The Bichon Frisé is another dog with its own story of transformation in style that evolved from a relaxed, scruffy-looking hairdo to today's precision cookie cutter outline that distinguishes this charming little clown-like breed. Interestingly, the modern Bichon's coat style is attributed to the great dog man, expert, and trendsetter, Frank Sabella. Sabella not only singlehandedly redesigned the Bichon clip, but is also one of the world's foremost authorities on Poodles and Poodle grooming for the show ring as well as so many other breeds. Trendsetters like Sabella have inspired others to elevate the art of dog grooming to new heights that demonstrate that the beauty of a haircut does not change a good dog, but just makes it prettier.
Over time as breeds became more glamorized, some dog hairstyles were influenced by popular culture and began to follow fashion trends as well as groomers' tastes and imaginations. If it's true that “the bigger the hair, the closer to God,” well then let's just say that 1950's and 1960's hair was at Heaven's Gate with the help of lots of hair spray and teasing. The beehive hairdos popular with women found their parallel with even bigger and better poodle topknots. And certainly in this book it is easy to spot the styles that are influenced by today’s fashions.
In Groomed one has the rare opportunity to admire the glorified result of a living art form that springs from this time-honored relationship between dogs and humans. Paul Nathan photographed most of the dogs in this book at a high profile grooming competition paying special attention to the aesthetic accomplishments of some of the world’s top dog groomers. His portraits showcase beauty for beauty’s sake and honor this thousand-years-old art form that sees dogs and humans team up for an exceptional kind of pleasure and delight.
Jorge Bendersky
Foreword
6
“I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.”
Rita Rudner
Karma and Indigo, Standard Poodles
6
“I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.”
Rita Rudner
Karma and Indigo, Standard Poodles
3736
“Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to.”
Joe Gores
Willa, Komondor
3736
“Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to.”
Joe Gores
Willa, Komondor
43
Carter, Standard Poodle
43
Carter, Standard Poodle
59
“I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.”
John Steinbeck
Parker, Cocker Spaniel
59
“I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.”
John Steinbeck
Parker, Cocker Spaniel
70
Previous page: Weisse, Bich-pooThese pages: Logan, Standard Poodle
70
Previous page: Weisse, Bich-pooThese pages: Logan, Standard Poodle
77
Macey, Standard Poodle
77
Macey, Standard Poodle
GROOM
EDPAU
L NATH
AN
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