I was at my Mom's house last week and we watched a documentary that introduced me to a world I didn't know existed.  Have you heard of "Creative Dog Grooming?"  It is the art of creating art in a dog's fur with products such as: dye, hair chalk, nail polish, glue-on rhinestones, etc. For example:

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The documentary we watched is called Well Groomed.  You can watch it on HBO.  Here's a trailer for the film:

Obviously, this is a hobby that requires skill, patience, and artistry.  The documentary follows three groomers and covers some of the debate over whether this is okay or animal cruelty.  From what I could see, all the dogs seemed happy with tails wagging.  The owners seemed to love their dogs and the grooming felt like an extension of that love.  In some ways, it reminded me of baby beauty pageants.  The dogs and the little children have the same amount of choice in the matter. 

Regardless of the cruelty debate, it's pretty impressive trimming and coloring, don't you think?  Art has many forms.

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

71 thoughts on “Creative Dog Grooming

  • ugh … heartbreaking … parents do lots of things “out of love” but at the end of the day, what’s best for the dog and how will it affect them in the future. All that paint, chalk, polish … is it good for them/their skin?? You’re right, very similar to beauty pageants for kids and we’ve seen how that turns out 🙁
    I get the whole art angle and it is incredible, impressive, but as a dog owner and a mom … this makes me sad.

    Reply
  • ugh … heartbreaking … parents do lots of things “out of love” but at the end of the day, what’s best for the dog and how will it affect them in the future. All that paint, chalk, polish … is it good for them/their skin?? You’re right, very similar to beauty pageants for kids and we’ve seen how that turns out 🙁
    I get the whole art angle and it is incredible, impressive, but as a dog owner and a mom … this makes me sad.

    Reply
  • ugh … heartbreaking … parents do lots of things “out of love” but at the end of the day, what’s best for the dog and how will it affect them in the future. All that paint, chalk, polish … is it good for them/their skin?? You’re right, very similar to beauty pageants for kids and we’ve seen how that turns out 🙁
    I get the whole art angle and it is incredible, impressive, but as a dog owner and a mom … this makes me sad.

    Reply
  • ugh … heartbreaking … parents do lots of things “out of love” but at the end of the day, what’s best for the dog and how will it affect them in the future. All that paint, chalk, polish … is it good for them/their skin?? You’re right, very similar to beauty pageants for kids and we’ve seen how that turns out 🙁
    I get the whole art angle and it is incredible, impressive, but as a dog owner and a mom … this makes me sad.

    Reply
  • ugh … heartbreaking … parents do lots of things “out of love” but at the end of the day, what’s best for the dog and how will it affect them in the future. All that paint, chalk, polish … is it good for them/their skin?? You’re right, very similar to beauty pageants for kids and we’ve seen how that turns out 🙁
    I get the whole art angle and it is incredible, impressive, but as a dog owner and a mom … this makes me sad.

    Reply
  • ugh … heartbreaking … parents do lots of things “out of love” but at the end of the day, what’s best for the dog and how will it affect them in the future. All that paint, chalk, polish … is it good for them/their skin?? You’re right, very similar to beauty pageants for kids and we’ve seen how that turns out 🙁
    I get the whole art angle and it is incredible, impressive, but as a dog owner and a mom … this makes me sad.

    Reply
  • ugh … heartbreaking … parents do lots of things “out of love” but at the end of the day, what’s best for the dog and how will it affect them in the future. All that paint, chalk, polish … is it good for them/their skin?? You’re right, very similar to beauty pageants for kids and we’ve seen how that turns out 🙁
    I get the whole art angle and it is incredible, impressive, but as a dog owner and a mom … this makes me sad.

    Reply
  • Julie, regardless of the “level of choice” that a kid or a dog has in the matter of tarting up their bodies, I think this is deplorable. I believe this is a perfect example of excess consumerism, first of all; and second, there is a level of cruelty here that tugs at my heart. My fear is, what is next? Folks making money off their dog’s newly groomed and embellished “Budweiser” cut?

    Reply
  • Julie, regardless of the “level of choice” that a kid or a dog has in the matter of tarting up their bodies, I think this is deplorable. I believe this is a perfect example of excess consumerism, first of all; and second, there is a level of cruelty here that tugs at my heart. My fear is, what is next? Folks making money off their dog’s newly groomed and embellished “Budweiser” cut?

    Reply
  • Julie, regardless of the “level of choice” that a kid or a dog has in the matter of tarting up their bodies, I think this is deplorable. I believe this is a perfect example of excess consumerism, first of all; and second, there is a level of cruelty here that tugs at my heart. My fear is, what is next? Folks making money off their dog’s newly groomed and embellished “Budweiser” cut?

    Reply
  • Julie, regardless of the “level of choice” that a kid or a dog has in the matter of tarting up their bodies, I think this is deplorable. I believe this is a perfect example of excess consumerism, first of all; and second, there is a level of cruelty here that tugs at my heart. My fear is, what is next? Folks making money off their dog’s newly groomed and embellished “Budweiser” cut?

    Reply
  • Julie, regardless of the “level of choice” that a kid or a dog has in the matter of tarting up their bodies, I think this is deplorable. I believe this is a perfect example of excess consumerism, first of all; and second, there is a level of cruelty here that tugs at my heart. My fear is, what is next? Folks making money off their dog’s newly groomed and embellished “Budweiser” cut?

    Reply
  • Julie, regardless of the “level of choice” that a kid or a dog has in the matter of tarting up their bodies, I think this is deplorable. I believe this is a perfect example of excess consumerism, first of all; and second, there is a level of cruelty here that tugs at my heart. My fear is, what is next? Folks making money off their dog’s newly groomed and embellished “Budweiser” cut?

    Reply
  • Julie, regardless of the “level of choice” that a kid or a dog has in the matter of tarting up their bodies, I think this is deplorable. I believe this is a perfect example of excess consumerism, first of all; and second, there is a level of cruelty here that tugs at my heart. My fear is, what is next? Folks making money off their dog’s newly groomed and embellished “Budweiser” cut?

    Reply
  • sorry… art has many forms – yes, but this… no, this is not art for me, this is cruelty (I live in a country where the cutting of dog-tails and ears is forbidden for very good reasons) and tail waggling can also be an appeasement gesture.

    Reply
  • sorry… art has many forms – yes, but this… no, this is not art for me, this is cruelty (I live in a country where the cutting of dog-tails and ears is forbidden for very good reasons) and tail waggling can also be an appeasement gesture.

    Reply
  • sorry… art has many forms – yes, but this… no, this is not art for me, this is cruelty (I live in a country where the cutting of dog-tails and ears is forbidden for very good reasons) and tail waggling can also be an appeasement gesture.

    Reply
  • sorry… art has many forms – yes, but this… no, this is not art for me, this is cruelty (I live in a country where the cutting of dog-tails and ears is forbidden for very good reasons) and tail waggling can also be an appeasement gesture.

    Reply
  • sorry… art has many forms – yes, but this… no, this is not art for me, this is cruelty (I live in a country where the cutting of dog-tails and ears is forbidden for very good reasons) and tail waggling can also be an appeasement gesture.

    Reply
  • sorry… art has many forms – yes, but this… no, this is not art for me, this is cruelty (I live in a country where the cutting of dog-tails and ears is forbidden for very good reasons) and tail waggling can also be an appeasement gesture.

    Reply
  • sorry… art has many forms – yes, but this… no, this is not art for me, this is cruelty (I live in a country where the cutting of dog-tails and ears is forbidden for very good reasons) and tail waggling can also be an appeasement gesture.

    Reply
  • and since 1917 the coloring of fur, feathers and skin of animals is not allowed for aesthetic and commercial reasons too.. different countries, different mindsets and regulations, but animals have no voice except our voice – children need the voice of others too

    Reply
  • and since 1917 the coloring of fur, feathers and skin of animals is not allowed for aesthetic and commercial reasons too.. different countries, different mindsets and regulations, but animals have no voice except our voice – children need the voice of others too

    Reply
  • and since 1917 the coloring of fur, feathers and skin of animals is not allowed for aesthetic and commercial reasons too.. different countries, different mindsets and regulations, but animals have no voice except our voice – children need the voice of others too

    Reply
  • and since 1917 the coloring of fur, feathers and skin of animals is not allowed for aesthetic and commercial reasons too.. different countries, different mindsets and regulations, but animals have no voice except our voice – children need the voice of others too

    Reply
  • and since 1917 the coloring of fur, feathers and skin of animals is not allowed for aesthetic and commercial reasons too.. different countries, different mindsets and regulations, but animals have no voice except our voice – children need the voice of others too

    Reply
  • and since 1917 the coloring of fur, feathers and skin of animals is not allowed for aesthetic and commercial reasons too.. different countries, different mindsets and regulations, but animals have no voice except our voice – children need the voice of others too

    Reply
  • and since 1917 the coloring of fur, feathers and skin of animals is not allowed for aesthetic and commercial reasons too.. different countries, different mindsets and regulations, but animals have no voice except our voice – children need the voice of others too

    Reply
  • I appreciate art, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

    Reply
  • I appreciate art, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

    Reply
  • I appreciate art, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

    Reply
  • I appreciate art, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

    Reply
  • I appreciate art, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

    Reply
  • I appreciate art, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

    Reply
  • I appreciate art, but this is just wrong on so many levels.

    Reply
  • Ummm, no.

    Reply
  • Ummm, no.

    Reply
  • Ummm, no.

    Reply
  • Ummm, no.

    Reply
  • Ummm, no.

    Reply
  • Ummm, no.

    Reply
  • Ummm, no.

    Reply
  • Those poor dogs.
    There are many ways to love your animal. I don’t think this is a healthy way.
    But amazing outcomes. I couldn’t even tell there was an animal in there on many of them.
    Baked goods and icing, fabric and filling, clay and glaze. So many inanimate objects to color-sculpt instead.
    Heavy sigh.

    Reply
  • Those poor dogs.
    There are many ways to love your animal. I don’t think this is a healthy way.
    But amazing outcomes. I couldn’t even tell there was an animal in there on many of them.
    Baked goods and icing, fabric and filling, clay and glaze. So many inanimate objects to color-sculpt instead.
    Heavy sigh.

    Reply
  • Those poor dogs.
    There are many ways to love your animal. I don’t think this is a healthy way.
    But amazing outcomes. I couldn’t even tell there was an animal in there on many of them.
    Baked goods and icing, fabric and filling, clay and glaze. So many inanimate objects to color-sculpt instead.
    Heavy sigh.

    Reply
  • Those poor dogs.
    There are many ways to love your animal. I don’t think this is a healthy way.
    But amazing outcomes. I couldn’t even tell there was an animal in there on many of them.
    Baked goods and icing, fabric and filling, clay and glaze. So many inanimate objects to color-sculpt instead.
    Heavy sigh.

    Reply
  • Those poor dogs.
    There are many ways to love your animal. I don’t think this is a healthy way.
    But amazing outcomes. I couldn’t even tell there was an animal in there on many of them.
    Baked goods and icing, fabric and filling, clay and glaze. So many inanimate objects to color-sculpt instead.
    Heavy sigh.

    Reply
  • Those poor dogs.
    There are many ways to love your animal. I don’t think this is a healthy way.
    But amazing outcomes. I couldn’t even tell there was an animal in there on many of them.
    Baked goods and icing, fabric and filling, clay and glaze. So many inanimate objects to color-sculpt instead.
    Heavy sigh.

    Reply
  • Those poor dogs.
    There are many ways to love your animal. I don’t think this is a healthy way.
    But amazing outcomes. I couldn’t even tell there was an animal in there on many of them.
    Baked goods and icing, fabric and filling, clay and glaze. So many inanimate objects to color-sculpt instead.
    Heavy sigh.

    Reply
  • I have to add my voice for the dogs here as well. No I would not want this for any animal. Pets are so giving and trusting and I can’t see any good for the animal in something like this. I would boycot this website and its participants all day every day.

    Reply
  • I have to add my voice for the dogs here as well. No I would not want this for any animal. Pets are so giving and trusting and I can’t see any good for the animal in something like this. I would boycot this website and its participants all day every day.

    Reply
  • I have to add my voice for the dogs here as well. No I would not want this for any animal. Pets are so giving and trusting and I can’t see any good for the animal in something like this. I would boycot this website and its participants all day every day.

    Reply
  • I have to add my voice for the dogs here as well. No I would not want this for any animal. Pets are so giving and trusting and I can’t see any good for the animal in something like this. I would boycot this website and its participants all day every day.

    Reply
  • I have to add my voice for the dogs here as well. No I would not want this for any animal. Pets are so giving and trusting and I can’t see any good for the animal in something like this. I would boycot this website and its participants all day every day.

    Reply
  • I have to add my voice for the dogs here as well. No I would not want this for any animal. Pets are so giving and trusting and I can’t see any good for the animal in something like this. I would boycot this website and its participants all day every day.

    Reply
  • I have to add my voice for the dogs here as well. No I would not want this for any animal. Pets are so giving and trusting and I can’t see any good for the animal in something like this. I would boycot this website and its participants all day every day.

    Reply
  • I hadn’t seen this type of grooming before and couldn’t imagine subjecting any animal to it. My kids have pets who have sensitive skin and allergies and I could see something like this causing painful itching. I have a hard time seeing this as art.

    Reply
  • I hadn’t seen this type of grooming before and couldn’t imagine subjecting any animal to it. My kids have pets who have sensitive skin and allergies and I could see something like this causing painful itching. I have a hard time seeing this as art.

    Reply
  • I hadn’t seen this type of grooming before and couldn’t imagine subjecting any animal to it. My kids have pets who have sensitive skin and allergies and I could see something like this causing painful itching. I have a hard time seeing this as art.

    Reply
  • I hadn’t seen this type of grooming before and couldn’t imagine subjecting any animal to it. My kids have pets who have sensitive skin and allergies and I could see something like this causing painful itching. I have a hard time seeing this as art.

    Reply
  • I hadn’t seen this type of grooming before and couldn’t imagine subjecting any animal to it. My kids have pets who have sensitive skin and allergies and I could see something like this causing painful itching. I have a hard time seeing this as art.

    Reply
  • I hadn’t seen this type of grooming before and couldn’t imagine subjecting any animal to it. My kids have pets who have sensitive skin and allergies and I could see something like this causing painful itching. I have a hard time seeing this as art.

    Reply
  • I hadn’t seen this type of grooming before and couldn’t imagine subjecting any animal to it. My kids have pets who have sensitive skin and allergies and I could see something like this causing painful itching. I have a hard time seeing this as art.

    Reply
  • not for any pet I have.

    Reply
  • not for any pet I have.

    Reply
  • not for any pet I have.

    Reply
  • not for any pet I have.

    Reply
  • not for any pet I have.

    Reply
  • not for any pet I have.

    Reply
  • not for any pet I have.

    Reply
  • This blog on creative dog grooming is amazing! The innovative ideas and techniques for grooming really stand out. I’m inspired to try some of these unique styles on my own pet. Thanks for the fresh and fun grooming insights!

    Reply

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