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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 in 2007 ... the first of its kind in Canada ... and, still today, continues to serve clients across Ontario, the US and the world. Based in Kitchener, Ontario and photographing exclusively animals for almost 20 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 scruffy dog photography, its creator, history, and the scruffy dog experience, feel free to browse through the menu above, and scroll 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.

just a little something to get your weekend started ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

i thought i’d share some shots with you to get your weekend started with a smile … if these don’t make you laugh, you might wanna talk to your doctor about some heavy-duty anti-depressants.  😉

last night, after weeks of no rain, we finally buckled and turned on the sprinkler for the first time … and Merrick Goobernuts, whose love for water exceeds almost all else, discovered the joys of self-entertainment.  it was pure joy to watch him wander out into the yard with the sprinkler already on, stop with confusion over the sound of the water hitting the leaves of the maple, and then look up at the sudden raindrops.  from inside the house, we watched … and for five minutes you could see him gradually putting the pieces together, moving ever closer to the source … so tempted, snapping at a few falling drops, studying the source and then staring at the back patio doors as though to seek approval for what was clearly churning in that scruffy little head of his.

i knew it was going to be good, so i raced down to the studio for one of the cameras, and by the time i came up, he had already figured out his strategy.  but bolstered by my presence on the deck, Merrick simply let loose.

what follows is just a very small sampling of the insanity that followed …

“sprinklers — the new Water Pik”

and if you thought that was it, you’re sadly mistaken … he was only taking a breather …

have an awesome weekend, everyone.  and stay cool!

and if you want to watch the video, it’s available on vimeo: merrick meets the sprinkler.  enjoy!

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  • KarenThese pics are sooooooo funny! Made me laugh! Thanks!ReplyCancel

  • JeanHappy happy boy! Love it 🙂ReplyCancel

  • karenthese are fantastic. i have a video of B trying to bite the water but not tackle it as Merrick does. i can see clients now asking you for the sprinkler shoot :o)ReplyCancel

  • Sonja (and Montecristo Travels)Laughing so hard we can barely breath!!!! ROTFL!!!!ReplyCancel

  • LalleeThat was just delightful and I did smile all the way through–and LOL. The last picture really summed up the whole event. I discovered our Buzz liked the sprinklers the first week we had him. I let him out at dark-thirty early one morning, and the sprinklers were on at the far end of the yard. Our other dogs have always avoided them. Buzz heard them, ran down and frolicked in the water in the dark. I had a heck of a time getting him back in. We changed the timing on our sprinklers–too much action before coffee wasn’t working for me 😉ReplyCancel

  • SueThese are about the happiest pics I’ve seen…heaven on earth!!ReplyCancel

  • JudyThese photos are great, what a riot that pup is!ReplyCancel

  • sarahOMG!!! I LOVE it!ReplyCancel

  • WandaFantastic photos – I’m still giggling!ReplyCancel

  • Cindy maysCan’t wait to meet your sweet boy in person next month
    Thanks for the good laugh , the pics were great he was definitely having a blast
    CindyReplyCancel

  • DianeLewisPhotographAmazing how love can turn a life around! The rescue where I volunteer just got a whole bunch of dogs from a puppy mill seizure; wow have they blossomed, to not knowing a touch could be anything but terrifying to craving love and attention, and seeing their tales wag for the first time was truly priceless! They were severly abused and neglected but they seem to have forgiven their past and are living it up.

    What a ham Merrick has become! You would never guess he was once a scared and abused dog. Thanks for sharing these, they are REALLY great and so much fun!!! Have a shoot next week for a dog and sprinkler, can’t wait, hope their dog is at least half as animated as Merrick!ReplyCancel

  • CarlyOh my heck. These are the funniest pics I’ve seen in a while….. HILARIOUS!ReplyCancel

  • Susan HumphreysHow could anyone be depressed with this bundle of fun and energy around them.Absolutely wonderful.The weather here in England has been so miserable for the last fortnight. These images have really cheered me up.

    Susan Humphreys
    Northampton
    England.ReplyCancel

  • Cliff WilliamsThank you so much for sharing that! Illona, you are the Ansel Adams of Scruffies. Your skills are awesome.. cliff/parker williamsReplyCancel

  • PatI can’t stop laughing!!!!!!!!!!!! He is having so-o-o-o-o-o-o much fun………ReplyCancel

  • DebiHe was certainly enjoying himself!!! Aren’t dogs just awesome?!ReplyCancel

  • CarolI always love your posts- your photos make my day!
    These are wonderful.ReplyCancel

  • Lisa HowardThanks so much for the laugh, that little guy is awesome! Well shot! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Nicole MlakarI LOVE this A LOT!! Awesome!ReplyCancel

  • Susan BryantPure Joy! These are fabulous photos of one happy happy dog!ReplyCancel

  • DLukerI had to share these & the video with my husband. We looked at both several times & had lots of chuckles. We needed them, thanks.ReplyCancel

  • ChristineREFRESHING!!! 😉 …..and puts a smile on my face too!!!ReplyCancel

  • Debhe is hilarious! he made a new friend. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • timorous BeastieHilarious!ReplyCancel

  • MarlaThese are priceless, Illona. Wonderful captures each and every one of them.ReplyCancel

  • WendyHe has come such a long way from when you first brought him home. It is so awesome to see him really let loose. I love it when dogs play with water. Sadly both of mine are terrified. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Creature ComfortAwesome, thanks for sharing Illona, a scruffy dog indeed, love the last photo expression on his face…… :o)ReplyCancel

  • JessWe are big fans of your photography. These photos surely put a smile on our face. Thank you for sharing!ReplyCancel

ruga and reese’s summer session ~ {Ontario pet photographer}

you might remember Reese and Ruga from their winter session earlier this year …

well, it was time for their summer session, and let me tell you, these two monkies aren’t the easiest models!  nor could they be enticed to go for a walk …

Reese wouldn’t leave the woods at the edge of the driveway …

and Ruga, wouldn’t even come up the lane with us.

if left to their own desires, i think the entire shoot would have been of the two of them lying on the gravel drive by the back wheel of their SUV.  not the most flattering of backdrops … so we had to pull out a lot of tricks to entice them into other areas of the property.

Ruga, of course, isn’t keen on cameras …

… she prefers to have her distance.

Reese, on the other hand, is much more motivated by treats …

… and as such, is an easier target.

mom Jamie wanted lots of action shots of her two gorgeous pups since the deep, crusted snow from their winter shoot prevented them from running too much … however, i think Ruga and Reese didn’t get that memo … we worked extremely hard to get the few action shots we managed to capture, including taking out the golf cart to entice them away from the driveway.

and at one point, in the back yard, i managed to corner Ruga by the back gate … by corralling her in a little, i was able to get a few shots of her there.

and if you’ve never seen or heard a sharpei shake, it’s all lip-flapping, slobber-flying goodness!

again, Reese was easier to work with, in or out of the containment of the backyard …

but with Ruga it was like playing National Geographic photographer, stalking the elusive snow leopard …

i had to grab shots when i could.

and sometimes i could almost convince her that the cameras weren’t bad …

unlike her brother, of course …

and what’s a scruffy dog shoot without a booty shot?

… and a smile.

thanks for being such a ham, Reese.

i hope you’re enjoying your double gallery, Jamie.  and hope to see you soon at your consult.

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  • jenniferSome are easy, some are harder…but you got some great stuff here, some great expressions. But I don’t like booty shots! LOLReplyCancel

  • RogerGreat series!ReplyCancel

  • Rachel LaurenWonderful shots, I love how you compared it to a National Geographic shoot…I sometimes feel that way with the less than cooperative dogs! But then, the images tend to come out more natural looking. I love every image here. Those dogs are too cute!ReplyCancel

  • Holly Garner-JacksonWell I must say that you seem to have gotten some great shots of these two, despite their lack of cooperation! Such interesting looking dogs. They are quite the pair. Well done!ReplyCancel

Norbert, part deux ~ {Ontario dog photographer}

you met him yesterday in his blog debut, and here is part two of Norbert’s blog splash … literally.  but we’ll get to the splashing later.

first, running …

… and more running.

we had an awesome time on the grounds of the spectacular Langdon Hall … such variety and serenity.

of course, a young boy needs to rest up his big fat feet in between adventures …

next up, a dip the swimming hole!

although “a dip” would be a bit of an understatement when it comes to the style and flair that Norbert brings to any body of water, no matter how small.

of course, every wet dog needs a breather on dry land …

and then … zoomies!!!

but for this respectable doodle, the water is forever a lure …

but in the end, every wet dog needs a shake and roll … ahh …

a little over three hours of adventure, and finally … finally i believe Norbert was tiring …

but i still couldn’t resist a few more wet-dog shots in this section of woods …

thanks, Norbert, for being such a fun dood and showing me such a great time.  and thanks, Sarah, for taking us to some awesome locations.

i know i’ve given you a lot of images to choose from.  not my fault you have such a handsome boy!  see you soon for your studio consult, Sarah.

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  • jenniferOh my gosh, what a nut. I LOVE the very first water shot. The perfect glassy water with the ripples he is causing – green – stunning. And I love #687, because, well…you know I have a thing for crazy faces. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sonja (and Montecristo Travels)When our turn comes to do a shoot with you …. there will be no water. Montecristo hates it I am afraid!ReplyCancel

  • Samthis fella looks like a fun guy to have around, gorgeous photos 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Mary AnnWhat a beautiful and inspiring shoot. He’s even cuter in person. Once my own doodle is clipped and grown in a bit, I’ll be getting in touch to see about a shoot for her.ReplyCancel

  • IdilI can tell Norbert had great fun at the photoshoot! Love the photos – what an adorable fella!ReplyCancel

  • JaniceLove all these shots and Norbert, too! What a cutie! Looks like a great location.ReplyCancel

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