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.
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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.
Janet Hughes
Karen,
My favourite is Lip’s head hanging over the bed. That is such a poodle pose and he is such a handsome boy ❤️. I laugh When you say poodles are dog dogs because we always said ours were people, or rather they thought they were. And pillows, they couldn’t get enough of them. I miss my boys more than anything and seeing Lip just brings me joy. Thanks for that Karen. 😘 to Lip.
PS did anyone share the tip about using a kitchen whisk to flick snow balls from those fluffy poodle legs? Works a treat. Winter is coming…
Best,
Janet
Karen
I do remember someone leaving that tip! I'll have to try it in the winter. I tried it when he was a puppy but they just seemed to fall off anyway. That might be different now that he's moving into his grown up coat. And I CANNOT keep a pillow in the house. My front hall closet is filled from the floor to ceiling with pillows I've had to throw in there to keep him away from them. ~ karen!
Sarah
My favorite pic is the one of him grinning. Looks like he’s laughing!
Wish I could share a pic of my black female poodle, Sallie! Lip would go bonkers over her if he had a chance 😃
Laurie
Love the outdoor photos because you can see his posture and playful excitement. and the second staged one because you can see those poodle feet :)
How many, "what was that name?" do you get? I have a 6lb red poodle "ish," short for radish, but her collar really only fits Ish.
Karen
LOL. Ish is cute. When I introduce him I just say Philip. It's easier that way. Although everyone assumes he's named for Prince Philip because he looks so regal. So very unlike the character Lip. ~ karen!
Ysabet
I've known a few standard poodles, and most of them have been total goobers-- lovable, strong, intelligent dogs that really want to run and then fling themselves on your feet as soon as you sit down (or try to nudge you out of their favorite chair or in with you while you're still in it.) Great dogs! They eat like horses, though, don't they?
Lindy Williams
I learned to clip my little girl poodle, Maddie (Mademoiselle), because it was costing me a fortune to keep her looking smart. The first clips-jobs were pretty bad, but I realized Maddie didn’t care if she had a funny haircut, and it would grow out fast anyway.
Cynthia
The first photo on black fabric. Handsome!
Carrie
My first dog was a miniature parti-poodle! He was the best dog . He was older and knew the ropes!!! He had to be in the middle of what ever I was doing!!!
You will really enjoy your dog!!!!
Emily
I am so happy for you! He's becoming quite the hunk indeed! I've had a toy poodle and three standards. My last one just passed away 1/12/22. She was a sweet girl. I'm sure you already know this but poodles are different. They are so intuitive and smart I used to say they are more like people than dogs but I now realize that is an insult to them. You won't ever want another dog breed after having a standard. I've had dogs my entire life and nothing compares. I am also a retired pro groomer and want to say you're doing a fantastic job on his grooming! I installed a stainless steel grooming tub in my garage. Its a life saver for someone who had two standards at once! During the warmer weather, I groomed them outdoors and just take my time. I miss all of them! If you haven't already, invest in a very expensive set of curved shears - large and small. If you have grooming seminars in your area consider going! You'll learn a lot and you don't have to be a professional to attend. Check out MDC Romani clipper vacs. I've had mine for over 20 years. You'll get those paws clipped clean in minutes.
Well, enough of the unsolicited advice. I always enjoy your posts and appreciate everything you do.
Wendy
Enjoy his soft puppy coat...it gets coarser and not as fun to run your fingers through. We had an apricot standard and just loved him like crazy. "Fetch" was not in his repertoire though. He waited until we went to retrieve it for him. Hmmm...I wonder who trained who?
Leisa Joan
Our Poodle Spencer loves to watch traffic!