Back in 2012, De Volkskrant, a Dutch newspaper, asked the Advertising/Art Direction/Commercial Concept/Development/Creative Direction/Film/Graphic Design /Photography/Product Design/Print/Spatial Installation/Website Design/Window Design and Writing team (pant pant pant) of Lernert & Sander to take a photo of “a black sheep of the family” to illustrate a series on the theme of family.

Never ask a creative team such a broad question because it got this duo to wonder: “Is there a ‘black sheep’ in a family of black sheep?” 

What did this team do? They recruited an actual black sheep, and invited Dutch champion dog groomer, Marieke Hollander, to shave and groom the ovine into a Poodle. To prepare, Hollander went to a farm to learn how it felt to shave a sheep, and to practice practice practice. On the day of the photoshoot, it took 12 hours, including grooming, to get the right pictures. A few hair extensions were used, but only for the ‘mane.’ The “dog” you see here is a sheep.

Years ago, we knew someone who groomed their retired Komondor into a Poodle clip, and we’re betting there are similar stories out there. Have you, or someone you’ve known, had some creative fun grooming one breed to look like another?