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Internationally-renowned, award-winning animal photographer Illona Haus created scruffy dog photography inc. as the province's premier pet photography business which continues to serve clients across Ontario, the US and the world. Based in Kitchener, Ontario and photographing exclusively animals for fifteen years - both commercially and for private clients - Illona is considered one of the world's leading and most influential pet photographers.

 

To learn more about the scruffy dog photography, its creator and history, and the scruffy dog experience, feel free to browse through the menu above, and scroll through over a decade's worth of blog entries below!

 

Please drop me a line! I'd love the opportunity to capture stunning, creative, one-of-a-kind photographic memories of your 4-legged loved ones to treasure in artwork for a lifetime, and show you just what makes the scruffy dog experience second to none.

tough collars for tough dogs with FREE tags! ~ {cool dog products}

… AND at unbeatable prices.  many of you have probably seen those biothane collars at your local pet-supply stores … those soft, rubbery-plastic collars that come in a myriad of colours, are extremely durable, easily cleaned by simply wiping off, and don’t hold odors.  the ones you get at your local pet-supply store are great, but they can be pricey.

so how about going to the original source of these kinds of collars.  although they seem new to your local pet store, these collars have actually been around for a long time in the hunting dog world, and they don’t cost a fortune.  what’s more, Steve Snell of gun dog supply sells all of his collars with an awesome FREE brass plate ID tag.  these are definitely one of my favorite dog things and matea — my crazy, muddy, puddle-loving wirehaired pointer — has always worn one of these collars.

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of course, she doesn’t normally wear it in the house.  this is her ‘field’ collar.  these TufFlex collars resist mildew and bacteria, and, as such, are odor-free.  they’re soft and flexible, even in our canadian winters; and even after years of abuse, this collar shows no sign of wear.  i have always preferred the “centre-ring” style, pictured above.  i never understood why this style of collar isn’t more popular.  (A) the centre-ring collar is a “rollover design” that aids in your dog’s safety in case it gets snagged on something in the field, and (B) when it comes to clipping on the leash quickly, bam! the ring is right there.  no struggling to find the ring under your Rover’s chin.

i prefer the 3/4″ collar but it also comes in a 1″ sizenote: you want to be sure to buy the right length (sometimes a little small) so that the centre ring stays at the centre of the neck.

AND, you can get a leash to match …

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… luxuriously soft, won’t burn your hands, and far more ‘grippy’ than any other leash (other than my super dooper rubber leash which i’ll share with you in another “things we love” entry).

and as i said, the tag is FREE if you order from gun dog supply.

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and these plate tags are awesome.  no dangling, dingling, clinking, clanging … and no lost ID!

now, admittedly, gun dog supply is a US-based site, so you’ll end up paying shipping, but you won’t get hit with duty if your order is under $20 or so … and these collars are UNDER $10!!

of course, the only thing matea cares about when it comes to a leash and collar, is whether she gets out for a walk.

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  • LainerI purchased two collars for my french bulldog Ozzy. Red and blue. They were cheap. I got free brass nameplates. I did what they suggested on the website, to put my name and number with “reward if found”, and “needs meds”, in the event that Ozzy gets lost or stolen. I almost fell into the trap of putting Ozzy’s name. I’ve always done it that way, but now realize it just isn’t safe. Thanks for the collar information.ReplyCancel

  • SydneyThis is the a collar I need!! I relized this yesterday when we went to my best friends farm and Cody decided once again to roll in horse poop. His collar, though I scrubbed a lot, it stained. He also goes in the bush and swimming a lot probably help. I have one question, do you let her wear it during winter? I thought maybe the ring would get to cold on their necks during Canadian winters, especialy. I am defintly going to consider purchasing one of these for Cody’s more adventurous walks.ReplyCancel

  • Susan HumphreysMatea makes a great model! Your photographs rock!ReplyCancel

  • LizWhat a good little model!ReplyCancel

  • Holly Garner-JacksonI just loved the one you gave Maggie as a gift a few years ago! The ID tag is the best! Thank you!ReplyCancel

  • amy bThese look great! And it would be nice to have the integrated tag instead of loud hanging ones at night. Though we may not be able to function in such a deafening silence….ReplyCancel

  • AngelaWow, these look awesome! Thanks for sharing. Off to check out the gundog site and pick on of these up for my Koda boy. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Stephanie HornerLOVE Gun Dog Supply and LOVE these collars and leashes!ReplyCancel

ay chihuahua! ~ {Kitchener dog photographer}

meet Bruiser …

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just had to share a few images from a shoot the other evening of an extra sweet boy.  oh yeah, he looks innocent enough, doesn’t he?  just an absolutely, sweet, delicate chihuahua boy all tucked up in a lovely little nest of grass … soaking up the last rays of afternoon sun.  what a lovely, demure, little dog … or not!

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am i the only one thinking of that crazy squirrel from Ice Age?

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i had a blast with this whacky, wild boy who was often struck with zany bursts of the zoomies as he tore up the field.

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of course, running was the only thing Bruiser had on his mind.  posing’s for sissy’s!

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places to go. things to sniff.

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thanks for a fun time, Sarah, Jeff and Bruiser.  see you soon at your studio consult.  i hope you enjoy Brusier’s gallery!

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  • SarahThanks everyone for the comments! Bruiser just LOVED Illona and wanted to show off for her 🙂 She’s a fabulous photographer and would love to do another shoot with her!! Thanks Illona!ReplyCancel

  • IdilWhat an absolute sweetheart! So full of life! Love the action shots – Bruiser’s exuberance is infectious.ReplyCancel

  • AndaHaha, yup, that’s him, the Ice Age squirrel 🙂 Awesome energy and enthusiasm, you captured him perfectly! What a great happy set!ReplyCancel

  • alexaHe totally reminds me of Scrat from Ice Age! Lol! Those eyes are awesome! Love all the action shots.ReplyCancel

  • Sherry in MTGREAT shots! I love the actions shots especially of the little guys (which are near and dear to MY heart). Thanks for the smiles (the chi’s and mine)!ReplyCancel

  • Frank EatonCute as a button! Sammy does the same thing, running around making turns like a quarter horse! Great sneak peaks! Thnx, Illona!ReplyCancel

  • LizOMG he TOTALLY looks like the squirrel from Ice Age!! hahaha. these are great! love the first one the best.ReplyCancel

  • Holly Garner-JacksonWhat a character! We call it getting “Happy Feet!”
    You must have been laughing quite a bit during this shoot!
    Great shots!!! I love #’s 2&4. And yes their is a definite resemblance to that wild squirrel from Ice Age!
    Well done, illona!ReplyCancel

  • SamanthaHe is totally Scrat from Ice Age. I love it. LOVE IT! You need to shoot this little guy again with an oversized toy acorn. What a lovely coat on him as he runs!ReplyCancel

  • Marcia AguiarThe 4th one is my favorite! Love the squinty eyes and his lovely smile. This guy knows how to enjoy outdoors. And, yes, he IS the Ice Age crazy squirrel. :>)ReplyCancel

  • Lisa BrencisI like the 4th one, where he’s smiling!ReplyCancel

  • MargaretWho would think a chihuahua would be so very cool?!?! And you’re right about the Ice Age squirrel. 🙂 Bruiser is one action-packed guy!ReplyCancel

  • JenniferWhat a cute little dog, and that fifth one down is truly hysterical!! What a nut!ReplyCancel

  • bublynskiHe may be little, but what a big personality and presence!!! The fifth one is my favorite, but all of these are great – what fun!ReplyCancel

  • Lorii love it when they get the zoomies!!! and you got great shots of high-speed pup (and those couple when he was forced to stop for a breath)
    what a cutie 🙂ReplyCancel

just a little privacy, please? ~ {daily life Ontario dog photographer}

anyone who knows me knows that there are three things which are rarely far from my side (and certainly never from my heart) … my two dogs and my camera.

and as such, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that i have company just about anywhere i go … no pun intended.  merrick — a.k.a. mr. what-are-you-doing-now?-are-you-gonna-throw-my-ball?-are-there-treats? — follows me relentlessly, and when i’m … er … otherwise disposed, he never fails to take full advantage.

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needless to say, in this household, there is no privacy.

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then again, they have to squat and poop while i hover over them impatiently with my hand thrust in a biodegradable bag as the whole world watches.  privacy schmivacy!

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  • SylviaIn my house, we call them potty pets and it’s the cat who demands them every morning in exchange for allowing us to feed her breakfast.ReplyCancel

  • Susan HumphreysThis is so funny! I still cannot believe the difference in this little dog
    from when you first brought him home. Miraculous.ReplyCancel

  • amy bHeh
    Our dogs follow me into the bathroom, also. First it’s curiosity, then they figure out they have a captive audience. When they are feeling especially bondy, they will just come in and lay down on the floor to wait even though it’s only a couple of minutes. Sometimes I think they just like the excitement of going through doors. They seem to recognize the process of going from one place to another and it’s more fun with company.ReplyCancel

  • ursula sooleyOMG Ilona, so funny. That is exactly how it is. I call Maggie my velcro dog. Follows me everywhere, she jumped in the tub once as I was having a bath!! Now she must wait in the hall.
    Fabulous post!ReplyCancel

  • JDWhere’s Matea? Hovering in the doorway?ReplyCancel

  • LizMine totally do that too 🙂 We have to leave the door to the bathroom open or they get upset that they can’t come in and check on us. hahaReplyCancel

  • Holly Garner-JacksonGetting to know you! Getting to know all about you!!!
    Yup! turn about is fair play! I can just hear Merrick saying “Good girl! Good girl illona! Now wash your hands! Good girl!”ReplyCancel

  • Kelly (Neptune)Oh geez, he is just sinfully adorable!ReplyCancel

  • kristinahe is just way to cute lolReplyCancel

  • MachonzaMy dogs used to come and put their heads between my knees while I was on the toilet pan. I’d rub their ears, and everyone was happy. Sweet memories.ReplyCancel

  • JennToo FUNNY… I know exactly what your talking about:) Love those pups!!!ReplyCancel

  • MargaretLook how much he loves you! That face just glows with knowing how much you adore him, too. He’s finally got the home he should’ve had all along. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Lisa BrencisLOL! Love it!ReplyCancel

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