Photos and a general update on Philip coming at you. When last we met, Lip was a gangly 4 and a half month old, in my Christmas House Tour photos. Now just over 7 months old he isn't a puppy anymore, he's ...
... a hunk.
He is officially an almost dog.
He looks like a "dog", but inside he's still 80% puppy. Philip and I are almost at the end of our Grade 1 training in dog school where he has learned to sometimes sit, stand, lay down, and come on command.
Philip sees school as a social outing/dating app and loves it because he, unlike me, is an extrovert.
And a hunk.
Because he's learned to sometimes stay in one spot when I ask him to, he's getting easier to photograph so I finally made a point of taking some pictures of him last week.
And then I fooled around in Photoshop with the images just trying different things. That's why all of the pictures you see here look a bit different with different tones to them. Some have more contrast, some are warmer, some are only Photoshopped a little bit, others are Photoshopped within an inch of their last pixels.
It helps me figure out what style I like for him in photos and also pushes me to learn more in Photoshop. I'm not a pet photographer and I'm sure I'll look back on these images in a year and cringe, (and that's fine!) but for now I like them just fine. I'm just using the equipment I already own (only natural lighting, no special lens etc.) but I like them enough and I'm learning.
Speaking of dogs running in a ravine (no I wasn't) I'd like to echo what one of my training instructors said the first time I walked into class with Philip. He said, and I'm paraphrasing, "I have a soft spot in my heart for standard poodles. Poodles are such great dogs, they're real "dog" dogs, which people don't realize."
Poodles are DOG dogs.
Lip is happiest when he's out in a ravine smelling something questionable and getting dirty. A second best day would be sitting on the back porch watching. Just watching. Birds, leaves, clouds, everything.
And then running through his own poop.
I'm learning to groom him myself (because of course I am) but I have to say that any poodle groomers out there deserve every dollar they earn. Holy shit.
I've got it down to 1.5 hours for bathing and blow drying him with this portable high velocity dryer. When I started giving him a bath and drying him it took me 3 hours. That's no cutting, no trimming, just a wash in my cast iron tub and a blow dry on the dining room table.
Philip 7 month stats
Height: 24.5 inches at the shoulders
Weight: 50 pounds
Coat Clearing*: Slight around his muzzle
* Because Lip is a blue poodle it means he's born black and will "clear" to being more of a blue colour. The blue colour will actually look like more of a steely gray than blue. But it's really a crapshoot. You just don't know what you're going to get.
His coat clearing should continue until he's around 2 years old at which point he'll be whatever colour he's going to stay.
Coat clearing on blue poodles often starts at the muzzle. Some will get a brown tinge to their coat before clearing blue. Philip has brown tinges to his coat but his isn't from clearing, his brown tinge is probably hair that's been faded by the sun.
It's especially noticeable around his legs.
The dog trainer is right. Poodles really are "dog" dogs. Or in 7 month old Philip's case - puppy dog dogs.
If you have a favourite photo please let me know! I'm curious.
Larisa
My vote is for the first hunky photo. Sexy pup!
marlies
second to the last .... very, very regal pose!
Michele Unitas
Hi Karen!
I’m with the trainer. Standard Poodles are just one of my favorites because of their disposition. I just want to squeeze the crap outta him. He’s so damn cute!
Nancy Ann
Philip is a beautiful dog! I like the photo that is second from the last and also the first one.
He must be a great companion!
Taria
So my favorite pic of these is the one under the bathing description, on the right. Goofy look with his mouth opened. He is beautiful in all though. We are living with an almost 10 month old Golden retriever/english setter gal. She is about 56 lbs and most all of it trouble. She has been a lot of work. It has been 20 years since we had a puppy. I think we just are too old and not fun enough anymore. God may be punishing me for all the times I told people my puppies never did any damage. She is an overachiever. I'm looking forward to the adventures of Lip.
Karen R
The photo where his nose is in focus but otherwise he looks like Prince is the best. He’s confidence and sarcasm wrapped in charm with a mischief bow.
Terri
A good friend has had standard poodles for years, all of them brilliant. Well, except for the current one. Sir Nick the Useless, except when he caught a field mouse in the kitchen, then he was the Useful. Sweet dog though, and gorgeous, as is Lip!
Lisa Richardson
The picture of him standing still on the trail is my favourite. Very handsome. And I know just where you did your shoot too. Nice area to walk.
We just got a puppy a few weeks ago and are going into ‘Grade 1’ in April at McCanns and really looking forward to it. Definitely need some training tips.
Maybe we’ll see you & Philip on a walk sometime.
Ronnie Prystup
I love the very last pic, lip outside, holding a stick in his mouth. He is very stately in stance and commands attention as he looks ahead. Great job grooming him.
Ronnie
CLAYTON NOLEN HUDSON
Love your dog!!!!!!
Karen
Thanks Clayton! He's a handful but an endearing handful. ~ karen!
Lynell
Love all the pictures! He’s sure gotten big since last pictures. Very handsome!
We raised and bred poodles. A tip for you. Poodles tend to get ear problems because of ears covering ear canal. We use to train our dogs with a snood. You can use knee high nylons and cut toe off. Pull over his snout and ears. It also helps with the dog getting food stuck to his ears when eating. Hope this info is helpful. Keep updates coming. Love to read about Lip! Love your blog.
Karen
Hi Lynell! thanks. :) We do have a snood but I really only put it on him when I give him a bath and am blow drying him. His ears aren't getting in his food for some reason, they must be just short enough. My sister's dog, a cockers spaniel drinks and eats out of small dishes so his ears flop on either side instead of in. :) ~ karen!
Trish
I'm glad you asked for our favorite because I immediately loved the photo of your prince standing on the snowy pathway looking handsome ... while the muddy, dirty, grubby red leash lays at his feet.
It proves he's a dog's dog!
(I must say every standard poodle I met knows he's smarter than most humans. I'm serious.)
Lyanne Hoefer
What a pretty pooch! The trimmimg around toes kills me! lol Fav pic is the sexy, side hair sweep close up! Presh!
Christine Joslyn
Totally love the classic portrait pose with fabric backdrop. Beautiful expression, focus depth and lighting.
Susan Warwick
I love all your pictures. We’ve had a blue standard that held our heart. “Ella Sings the Blues” was such a treasure. She made it to 11 years before cancer took her to the rainbow bridge. Enjoy every second with Lip!!!
Pat
The side by side photos are my absolute favorite. On the left, he looks like he's sneering at all the blathering idiots who populate this world. On the right, "LOL, just kidding! Now feed me!"
Pattie Meyers
Man oh man, he’s a handsome dog. I love the red collar close up. Reminds me of Lenny Kravitz doing his elusive dark-haired sexiness.
Karen
Ohhhhh Lenny. ~ karen!
Randy P
Thought you might be interested in this fellow Canadian young lady YouTube pet groomer. In this brief episode a Standard Poodle is featured.
Vikki
I've been watching this groomer for quite a while. She is excellent. Whatever she says, you can trust.
Mary
I agree with Jenny he looks fabulous on the orange vessel. He's like my dog in that they hug the couch I don't care how small they are they have a habit of shoving you off the couch so that it's all theirs.
Jeanne Starr
My very favorite is him resting on the orange dog bed? Sofa? Not sure. But he's adorable.