They’re not the most attractive breed of dogs, in fact, some would call them quite hideous. Photographer Sophie Gamand, of the Wet Dog and Flower Power series, is back and this time she’s pointing the camera at hairless dogs. She likens their faces to those of “old wise men or philosophers, shamans from a different era, maybe a different universe.” Focusing on two major hairless breeds, the Chinese Crested and the Xoloitzcuintli (or Mexican hairless dog), as well as mixed hairless dogs, she captures their portraits in a professional way. One can’t help but laugh at their goofy expressions.
For this project, Sophie approached private breeders as well as rescue organizations specializing in hairless dogs. She had a lot of stories to tell, saying, “Hairless dogs are very unusual dogs. Not only in the way they look, but also in their personalities. I wonder if their personality is the result of how people treat them? Many of my models’ parents confessed to be attacked or mocked in the street when they walk their hairless dogs. One of them was insulted because people thought he had abused his dog. Someone else told me their dog got kicked in the street by someone who referred to it as a rat.”The Chinese Crested dogs I know seem to be generally shy and skittish. It takes a long time for them to let strangers touch them. Xolos are very skittish too, but there is nothing shy about them. They are strong-willed. They are physically very powerful. It was very difficult to photograph these dogs, especially because I wanted to be ‘in their face’ with the camera, something lots of dogs are uncomfortable with. But hairless dogs even more, it seemed. Some of the Xolo models simply refused to pose. One of them got offended when I used baby voice during our shoot to address him. Suddenly he looked straight at me, with a deep offended look in the eyes, and turned his face away. I was never able to catch his attention again. His mom sighed and said, ‘Oh oh, oh no, you used the baby voice. Now you’ve offended him. He will want nothing to do with you for the rest of the day.’
“I worked with lots of Xolos from the dog show world. Show dogs are different than regular pets, so it was very challenging. For example, they don’t learn to sit because they should not sit in the ring during competitions. They don’t respond to stimuli the same way other pet dogs do.
“My work is always fun, at first, but I try to have deeper meaning to it as well. In this case, people react to the funny faces, the ugly faces (or what they think is ugly), but the series is also an interrogation: what do we do to nature, in this case, dog breeds? How can we manipulate breeds, animals, genetically and turn them into things, for our sole pleasure (that’s the case for Chinese Crested dogs). Nature does a beautiful job already (Xolos). This series invites the viewer to go beyond the funny faces.”
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog, the Six-Toed Norwegian Lundehund and the Ancient and Rare Xoloitzcuintli Gain Full AKC Recognition
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) expanded its litter of registered breeds on January 1, to welcome the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, the Norwegian Lundehund and the Xoloitzcuintli –growing AKC’s family to 170 breeds.
“The AKC is delighted to introduce these three distinct breeds to the public,” said AKC Spokesperson Gina DiNardo. “Each loveable breed has a unique and diverse history and is a wonderful addition to the AKC.”
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog was bred to move cows from pasture to pasture in the Swiss Alps. The breed is medium-sized and prized for its agreeable nature, trainability, and devotion. Entles are an active, high energy and physical breed with above average exercise requirements, so they are best suited for active families and not the casual dog owner. Additional facts on this breed can be found on the National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association’s website at: www.nemda.org
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
The Norwegian Lundehund is known for having six toes on each foot and the ability to tip its head backward until it touches its backbone. These unique characteristics enabled the Norwegian Lundehund to climb steep, rocky cliffs and navigate crevices where the Puffins, a bird they were bred to hunt, nested. Lundehunds make loyal and playful companions, but can be wary of strangers if not socialized. Additional facts on this breed can be found on the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America’s at: www.nlaainc.com
Norwegian Lundehund An example of this breeds' unusual characteristics! Extraordinary Suppleness/MobilityThe Lundehund's foot has five fully developed three-jointed toes and one two-jointed---the latter resembles man's thumb. This can be clearly seen in an x-ray. There are muscles for flexing and stretching trotting these toes which resemble the muscles in man's thumb. All other breeds of dog normally have only four toes and the musculature for them.
The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-etz-queent-lee) is one of the world’s rarest breeds and is still considered a “healer” in remote Mexican and Central American Villages today. The breed comes in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard; and two varieties: hairless and coated, which makes the Xolo ideal for those looking for a dog with more variety. They serve as an excellent companion for families due to their attentive and calm nature and require moderate exercise and grooming. Additional facts on this breed can be found on the Xoloitzcuintli Club of America’s website at: www.xoloitzcuintliclubofamerica.org
Xoloitzcuintli Xoloitzcuintli - I guess it's cute?
For breeds to become AKC-registered, they must first be recorded with an accepted registry. The AKC Foundation Stock Service® (FSS®) is the AKC’s recording service for purebred breeds that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. After a breed is entered into FSS the recognition process begins with a written request to compete in the Miscellaneous Class from a National Breed Club. While there is no established timetable for adding new breeds, dogs typically compete in the Miscellaneous Class for one to three years. More information on the process can be found at the AKC’s Web site.
(Via: My Modern Met)
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