Poodles Wronged
Animal lovers in general we are very opposed to this type of adornment. Seriously, these dogs are beautiful just the way they are. Dying them to satisfy our own egos is just wrong.
Chemicals Are Painful
Dye is caustic by nature, if it stains it has to be strong. Coloring can burn an animals skin, burn their eyes and puts them through an uncomfortable and unnatural process.
Not to mention a dogs sense of smell is incredibly powerful – think about how dye hurts your nose, then magnify that 100s of times to consider how it affects their fragile nasal membranes.
Even the Safe Stuff is Wrong
I know that most professionals use food coloring or beet juice to dye their animals. While this may seem like a responsible way to do it, dogs skin is sensitive and they can have an allergic reaction to anything.
Plus, not all professionals follow the rules, which means that putting your animal in the hands of a groomer could mean indirect abuse.
Dye Your Own Hair & Leave Your Dog Alone
Health issues aside, animals have feelings too. Holding them down to force your will and aesthetic demands upon them is sort of barbaric and intensely disrespectful.
Dyed fur is of absolutely NO benefit to a dog. If you need a change, dye your own hair.
Prime Examples
I target poodles here, simply because they are the most often dyed of the canine family – but many different breeds are affected by this practice.
Poor poodles, as if their freaky haircuts weren’t punishment enough.
Top image from privatjokr
I never actually thought before about their more powerful sense of smell. I’ve dyed my dogs and cats for years using non-toxic manic panic dye. I always test it first on a very small area to see if it irritates the skin because every animal is different, but I’ve never had any negative side-effects. I just put on my gloves, rub it in, and wash it off as though it was shampoo or something. They are always just as happy as can be because they’re getting a bath =] && just so you know, I say ‘cats’ but I only ever dyed one cat because he LOVED to take a bath.
Hi Chays,
That is one strange bath-loving cat you had.
Unfortunately our pets can’t talk to us, so when they are uncomfortable we don’t always know about it.
Our opinion is that dogs (and cats) are beautiful creatures just the way they are.
This is sad. I agree with you Paige, animals in general are beautiful just the way they are, we don’t need to dye them or dress em up like people, leave that stuff for yourself!
I feel so sorry for these dogs above that had to go through becoming pink or square or have a horse painted on their side. I mean, imagine what their doggie friends are saying…
Ever hear of dogfighting or animal shelters? There are so many worse things that could be happening to these dogs. If they are healthy, loved and in forever homes, who cares if they’re pink? I personally think it’s cute, and my Maltese sporting multicolor bangs last fall to match my own. No they cannot speak, so while they can’t say they are uncomfortable, they also can’t tell you they like it. It’s kind of presumptious to think that they all hate it.
Actually, dogs CAN tell you when it’s uncomfortable. My dog whimpers, pulls away, whimpers, and gives me a sad look when she’s uncomfortable while I groom her. I take her signals and change what I’m doing.
Dogs in general can use body language and vocalisations to communicate. They can tell you they hate what you’re doing by growling, whining, snarling, even screaming in some cases. (Small dogs and shiba inus are more apt to screaming and it’s not always because of pain.)
That said, I don’t like the idea of dyeing the area around the eyes. That would be like humans dyeing their eyebrows or eyelashes. It’s not a good idea.
I think that what they are doing is an art. Is tatooing a bad thing too? If your saying an animal is like a human, then tattooing is inhumane too.
yes the animal is beautiful without dye, and cuts, but its not inhumane.
We die our hair, and cut our hair.
So just dont think about the bad.
If the animal can’t stand it, then I could see about not doing it.
But it’s not gonna kill an animal to get a cut and a dye.
So…dogs and cats are “beautiful the way they are”? Who, exactly, do you think made them “the way they are”? Not a single dog of any breed from the most basic mutt to the most bizarre and derived hairless breed would exist without the intervention of human beings. We’ve been modifying dogs and other animals for many thousand years. Compared to its wolf ancestor, I’m pretty sure your average poodle is just as “unnatural” as it’s pink counterpart.
As for what your pink poodle’s “doggie friends” are saying about it’s new dye job, you should be far more concerned with the dog’s floppy ears and shortened tail, because these are far more important to canine communication than how Fido’s hair looks.
Sorry, I disagree. Vegetable based dyes are quite safe, and certainly don’t smell any worse to the dog than shampoos or spot-on flea products. Dogs don’t need to be bathed; it makes them more pleasant for us. Personally, I bathe my dogs when they get smelly, but they would rather stay smelly. How is an “art poodle” groom/dye job any worse for the dog than a typical poodle trim? The breed has to be carefully maintained lest it mat anyway, and well-trained poodles actually love the attention of being groomed.
The many breeds of dogs are works of art to begin with. Their personalities and appearance reflect the needs and aesthetics of many different people. As long as a safe dye is used, I have no objections to colorful pooches. If anything, it shows that the animal is owned by someone who cares enough about it to get creative with the grooming—which means the dog is groomed regularly and most likely gets all the rest of the care it needs, too.
In the picture above with the poodle that has all the squares- I do not think that that is inhumane. The poodle has the squares where his or her most important joints are. LABLOVER101- anomals are colorblind. So how the hell are their doggie friends going to make fun of them? Yes, I do agree that putting a horse on poodle or making him or her is inhumane, because it is taking the dogs dignity. Poodles are one of the most dignified dogs on earth. Now giving them strange cuts isn’t all that bad, like a Mohawk or something. My poodle has an afro and everyone who nsees her always comments on how cute she is. And SAM, tatoos hurt when you get them right? So why put your dog through that same pain. If you want to experiment with different looks, experiment with yourself. NOT the animal! I agree with Jackel, use safe dyes that smell like dog shampoo.
First, do you damn research. I dont particularly support doing this to dogs either, seeing as they look silly, but i am atleast aware of the facts. The dye used is NOT in any way harmfull to the dogs. In fact, in shows such as these one would be disqualified for using harmfull dyes. Most poodles adore being shown, as is obvious if you know poodles or have ever seen them shown. This is the case for most dogs in general really. So, if the dogs arent harmed and enjoy the attention of being shown etc., why should you have a problem with it? You dont have to like it, but you neednt be so blatantly clueless either.
i like the way that now everyone has opposed what you have said so much you have not replied to any of it! im a dog groomer, and i dont think its inhumane. people who used those dogs for grooming compotions love the hell out of them and would not do anything to harm them. the dog is unaware of what it looks like so does it really matter what colour it is, or wether or not it has been trimmed square instead of rounded? and many dogs are only dyed for a grooming compation not all year round. what i think is more inhumane is when people negelt their dogs and dont get them groomed at all, leaving them to become matted to the skin, causing sore skin conditions and painful pulling on the skin, something i see quiet often- that to me is a lot more upsetting than a pink poodle. do you reaserch beofre you lash out in future and judge a trade you seem to know nothing about.
and as for you saying that all groomers ‘hold the animals down and sunject there own will on to them’ is so wrong- every dog i groom i love like its one of my own, i would never do anything to a dog that was not in its best intrest, AND the majority of animals love it as they recieve so much attention and fun when they come to us. you are very, very naive.
sheesh,
you know just because YOU dont like it, here is yet again, another voice that decries abuse. you make it sound like the owners hate their pets……jesus christ, just leave them alone. its not like they are skinning them for fur.
they are animals not people, i personally won’t do that to my dogs, but it’s every dog’s owner, that’s what i think!
People chell out all Poodle love there owners and will do any thing for you like all good dog’s do.
next the squares fake they where do in some ones PC
Show cut for Poodle and any show cut for dog’s are from the time when Poodle first come from Germanys water reteriver the Pom on the legs protect the jionts and hip the front is for the heart and lungs and the pom at the end of the tail is the French makeing fun of the English Food coloring your white poodle pink, Blue is cool and make the own feel good
the Poodle love the human and we love the dog.
what is not right is not takeing the time to look up why we shaved the back of a spaniel.
Read a Book.
Wow, this is kind of funny… To each thier own though I suppose. I am inclined to believe that most dogs LOVE the kind of attention they get from this type of extensive grooming. I also believe that owners who go this far off the beaten path for thier animals appearance care for and attend to thier animals a great deal. I can’t see this kind of owner putting thier animal in pain or otherwise allowing ANY harm to come to them. As for weather these animals get any flack from thier peers about thier color…I can’t see how that would factor in since dogs are color blind. I personally wouldn’t go to such extremes, but, mostly because I think I would get flack from MY peers for doing so. Just my two cents.
Well.. you said “poor poodles” to a bedlington terrier and a malti-poo. the blue one, and the panda looking ones arent poodles (panda is the malti poo and blue is the bedlington)
Any ways- its not like the dog is embaressed to be colored. dont say it is cuz thats just stupid. arent you dog lovers the ones who say dogs dont care about your skin color, how you look like, if your sick and shiz… well they dont see that on themselves either. colored dogs are just as happy. and there are organic paints, and normal dyes, which do not affect. and groomers abuse has nothing to do with painting their fur. cuz even if you dont paint their fur the groomer could still abuse. thats in the owners control cuz its he/she who decided what groomer. i think its stupd that new york out lawed this cuz wt happened to the US’s freedom? if you like.. paint a dog with house paint, or human hair paint, thats cruel. but if you use natural/organic dyes, its totally fine.
There’s a malti-poo and a Bedlington terrier in your ‘poor poodle’ part. haha.
It’s not cruel is my own opinion.
Dogs don’t know that they’re being dyed, let’s be honest. They’re colour blind. And it doesnt harm the dogs in any way if done correctly of course.
If anything it wilol attract more attention from the dog, and if that dog was my dog he’d be the happest chap in the world. He LOVES being played with by young childeren in the street.
Okay, so it’s cosmetic for the owner – so what? WHo’s to say that the dog doesnt get care and love?
It’s not like the dog cares, or even knows what’s going on.
It willnjust think it’s going for it’s regular shampoo.
I see no bad point at all when it comes to dying your dogs fur.
There are far worse things being done to animals than dyeing their fur. I have two Standard Poodles that both get their hair dyed. They both get very excited when they see the grooming table is out, and appear to enjoy the pampering and preening that is involved with grooming them. As long as proper dye is used and precautions are taken to insure the dog’s safety I see nothing wrong.
They walk differently after being groomed and dyed, more confident more outgoing, tails constantly wagging. My best description is: They “strut”. Tail docking and ear cropping for looks alone is far more barbaric(Both practices were started to prevent injury of the dog in doing the job they were bred to do and do have their place in some working dogs lives), as is de-clawing a cat. Where is the outrage over the horrific atrocities committed against racing greyhounds, whippets, galgos(spanish greyhounds) and fighting dogs.
My dogs are the most well fed(not fat, well fed as in quality of food) and cared for dogs I know. Do not presume to tell me I abuse my dogs. I adopted a retired racing greyhound who was abused for the first three years of his life and my family and I did everything for him to make his new life a good one. When we found out he had bone cancer we drove 3 1/2 hrs away to OSU Veterinary clinic to enroll him in an experimental drug trial, amputated his leg to try to stop the cancer from spreading, made the 3 1/2 hr trip (one way) every other week so he could get 8hr. chemotherapy/checkup sessions. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make my pet’s lives happier and healthier.
Do some research before judging people and their pets, there are very few breeds that haven’t suffered in some way from our selective breeding, a little hair dye is probably the least of cruel thing man has done to his “best friend”. BTW the “poodle squared” picture is complete fantasy, and obviously Photoshopped. The “dyed poodle” picture from Dave Barry’s Blog is a Bedlington Terrier, and the Panda dog is a Maltese Poodle mix. So much for Poor Poodles.
Their “doggie friends”….lol really how weird are you to think that dogs have friends like people do! Weirdo!!
I don’t know about you but my dog LOVES attention from people. Dying his coat gets him more attention not less so he’s extra happy. It’s not as though he sits in front of the mirror pouting about the shade of blue I used. Get real people, dogs don’t care what color their hair is. We are superficial not them. Go ahead and dye em if it makes you happy just make sure your using dog friendly products.
don’t you have better things to worry about?
this is very silly. My poodle dislikes being groomed so i would never force another hour of grooming stuff on her (in fact i do my best to get it done with quickly and make its as fun as possible) but if she wasn’t opposed to obligatory hours of bathing and clipping and brushing to prevent matting i would love to try dying her. As an art student who works in fibers, i have quite a bit of experience in dyes. there are a lot of dyes out there that are really bad for you (respirator and elbow high rubber gloves type) but ive also learned a lot about safe dying methods. Hell, i turned my dining room table bright red with Gatorade mix. Poodle people would never go near a dog with anything they wouldn’t cover themselves in. This article is disrespectful to the professional groomers out there who dont just copy from the book. Whose to say that poodles shouldn’t have mini mohawks instead of mini afros? (typical of even a normal “puppy cut” for a poodle)
I have a poodle and I have never dyed it and I feel if you want a dog thats a certain color then get a dog that color don’t change your dog because you want it to look like that
POOR POODLES
ps, 2 are bedlingtons and ones a maltese.
oh, and show dogs are bleached, as well as “touched up” with a nose color for incomplete pigmentation or a natural color dye to cover stars
I am a poodle Mom. I love them with all my heart and treat them as children. As we live on the water they run in the ocean all the time. I have had poodles in my family always and standards since 02. My standard first girl become sick. I noticed her attitude was not right and took her to ER. A receptive owner knows how they feel, no words needed. No money spared no expert resource untapped, we still lost her. She had pink ears and a pink tail from time to time. Our boy is black so doesn’t get color. The color used is vegan and very safe. My girl now is not too happy when she goes to the groomer, and just saying “groomies” gets my boy dancing. Poodles must be groomed! Poodles always are cute to me, no matter the cut. As for natural state, is not humane, mats and mess. They have hair like us and it keeps growing. Mats can be painful. One important thing to understand about grooming needs is that poodles will get ear infections, if their constant hair growth deep in the ear canal is not removed.
As for the color, it is just like putting on shampoo. Most dyes are vegan and very safe. The shaped cut is just a cut. They need one anyways. Poodles like to be noticed, and adored. A cute hair do does just that. My girl may not care how much she is petted, but seems to have fun teasing people. She goes up to be petted then tosses her head and pulls out of reach. and then keeps repeating. When she isn’t comffy with the situation she looks at the human trying to pet her, looks at me and barks while clinging to me. I prevent them from bothering her. My boy is just a ham for all love.
It offends me to think that someone is so stupid that they think that people torture their poodles for their own vanity. Poodles have no problem expressing their feelings!
Tomorrow she’s being groomed and I was thinking of a pink tail, so I came across this in my search for ideas.
Next time you bitch about something I suggest doing research. Contact breeders, vets, groomers, SPCA, etc. look at hair dyes and vegan options. As a neuroscientist I would never make assumptions with out research!
Do you seriously spend half your day commenting on sites like these, bickering back and forth between what dyes are safe or not? Please, people. There are dogs getting beaten and forced to fight TILL THE DEATH and being RAPED by the sickos out there and you’re worrying about something like altering their appearance? If we want to give dogs what they love, let’s buy a deer to crap in our yards and set our dogs loose. Would you want them in your house then? If the dog is fine, I say let them be dyed. If it’s painful, don’t do it.
Oh, and dogs do have friends, idiots.
Paige, I love your stance and thoroughly agree. Your first three sentences say it all: Doing strange cosmetic changes on dogs turn them into “accessory” objects (as opposed to living creatures) and is solely to inflate the owner’s ego. To invalidate your stance by pointing out there are worse forms of abuse is like saying emotional abuse to children does not count because you can’t see the lash marks or broken bones. That is a logical fallacy. As to dogs “not knowing” that the owners are turning them into a joke, I suggest your respondents read “INSIDE OF A DOG: What Dogs See, Smell and Know” by A. Horowitz. All dogs pick up on your mental and emotional states. And we know that poodles are extremely sensitive creatures. And they have their own emotional limits. For example, my poodle has skin allergies and even without them, a long grooming session is a stressful event. He is sweet, cooperative, and puts up with everything just fine, but he is stressed when he leaves for the rest of the day. I know there are exceptions, perhaps some show dogs glory in the attention, but the family dog I think should be spared this indignity. Paige, you are right: dye your own hair; leave the dogs in their natural state. (Yes, “apricot” “blue”–my boy is blue–”parti-colored” are NOT natural colors but breeder-induced; so enough already. We don’t need pink too.)Thanks for letting me air my opinion.
It seems to me that those of you who think dying your poodle is cruel should really do your homework on the subject before opening your mouth and letting your belly rumble……..i myself own a white standard poodle and have her paws dyed pink (shame on me!!!). I work within the veterinary profession and would not condone anything cruel or inhumne being done to an animal. I see on a daily basis neglect and cruelty, and dying a poodle i can assure you does not fall under this catergory. Poodles in fact love being groomed they are by nature attention seekers who have a great sense of humour,unlike many of you.
Am I the only one who thinks the panda dog is insanely cute? >.<"
you are all retards. a dog is a dog, not a object for humans to practice art on. you are a weird creep if you enjoy dying your dog. why dont you do it to your own fucking hair if you like it so much. take you dog on a walk and play catch with it, give it love and not hair dye you retarded slop fucks
Those dogs are safe and have a great time with there moms… I bet if they could talk they would wanna go.
i really think everyone that hates on colored poodles are stupid, im sorry. but its much worse a badly groomed poodle then a well groomed colorful poodle. adding a dye is like putting on shampoo, it wont hurt the dog at all, and dogs are so self conscious about their image… it hurts a poodle when their fur is matted, i applaud these furry mommies for dying their pups. i have a poodle, and she is very okay with being groomed, its not cruel at all. just because a little girl doesnt want her mommy to brush her hair doesnt mean the mother shouldnt… thats bad parenting, a mom should always brus hher daughters hair, regardless if the child wants it or not, just cuz itll hurt the girl when its all tangled. same goes to poodles. good parents do good things to their animals regardless if they want it or not. dogs also want a lot of treats, and they also want to eat all day and have sex but that isnt possible isnt. i guess we should all stop neutering because it is painful. yes, its healthy for the dog (just like grooming is too)but i guess the dog just cares so much if it has its balls intact …