Doggy Style //
Stand aside, cats; dogs are a human’s best friend. We all know it. Ever since the domestic dog evolved from the wolves that latched onto us for our food scraps, 15,000 years ago, we’ve been joined at the heel. There’s no other human-animal relationship quite like it, and this iconic interspecies duo just loves to show it off, from the show ring to the park.
The domestic dog or canis familiaris has specifically evolved to live alongside humans, and modern science proves there’s more to our sacred bond than meets the eye. It starts with a look. Stare a dog in the eye, and it will hold your gaze – tongue lolling, tail wagging and eyes smiling. You coo and gabble at it, and it’s almost as if it understands what you are saying. It’s a look of love, and it’s reciprocated. It’s not just humans that get the special treatment, dogs seem to form emotional attachments to anything from lambs to ducks.
The hypersocial behaviour shown by dogs stems from genetic evolution. Japanese researchers discovered that a pooch who stares at its owners for a long time has elevated oxytocin levels, the love hormone. After receiving these soppy looks, the owner’s levels of oxytocin also increases. This hormone fosters nurturing and attachment. Dogs have cheekily hijacked humans primary means of communication, eye-to-eye contact, and it definitely works.
Dog shows are used by enthusiasts as an arena to showcase just how well they can communicate with their pooch. For many, dog shows are a bit of fun – the chance to show off your most trusted companion. But for others, dog showing is a lifelong commitment. In fact, there are so many dogs shows, you could travel across the UK (and globe) to attend one every weekend. Many do, travelling in the car for hours, laden up with pooch paraphernalia.
Dog shows are not without fanatics, and the level of attention that the handlers bestow on their wagging wards backstage is feverish. The table becomes a poodle parlour. Pampered pups stand ready to be preened for the catwalk, next to handlers dressed to the nines. The dog’s coat is carefully washed, brushed, blow-dried, misted and combed; their nails are manicured, and their teeth brushed. These pooches wouldn’t look out of place in a L’Oréal advert, and they lap it up. Stroke them if you dare. But woe betides you if you ruffle their fur.
It’s hardly surprising that puppy sales skyrocketed during the pandemic. Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association revealed that 3.2 million pets were purchased across the UK. For the vulnerable, a dog can be a lifeline.
These photographs celebrate the devoted and at times humorous relationship between humans and their dogs. The series juxtaposes the pageantry and cultural traditions of dog shows and the participating community with photographs of dogs navigating the contemporary landscape of London city. In some images dogs are posed in high fashion pet apparel, giving a visual harmony between dogs & their owners, who both radiate character, attitude and style.
Made in collaboration with Journalist Emma Latham Phillips and Stylist Adam Winder for Vogue Italia.