Vintage photos of dogs to warm your chilly bones
- Text by Huck
- Photography by Shirley Baker
As the nights draw in and the temperature drops down into the single-digits, it’s important that we – important labour cogs in the work machine – look after ourselves.
For some people, this means prioritising a good diet and exercise. For others, it means moving to a warm, faraway country for the next few months, in order to evade the Winter Sadness. In 2016, it meant a thing called hygge.
For most of us, however, it means this: dogs. Puppers. Good Boys. Woofers. Doges. Loyal floofers, unassuming and kind, who exist solely to absorb our love and then return it. Dogs! Dogs! For the love of god, surround yourselves with dogs!
Right on cue, Hoxton Mini Press have announced the third instalment in their Vintage Britain series: Dog Show 1961 – 1978, a book comprising of the work of late documentary photographer Shirley Baker.
Depicting the special relationship between dogs and their human owners during a series of the titular event, Baker’s photos feature all of the big players from the Best Boy Division – from Pekingese to Poodles, Dalmatians to Dachshunds. (I love you all!)
As much of an ode to a nation’s eccentricity as it is our beloved canine companions, Dog Show 1961 – 1978 is a fascinating portrait of Britain’s relationship with its dogs. And, despite the competitive nature of the context in which the photos were taken, it’s important to remember that all of the dogs are winners. Good, good boys.
Dog Show 1961 – 1978 is available from Hoxton Mini Press on 1 November, 2018.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Analogue Appreciation: Maria Teriaeva’s five pieces that remind her of home
From Sayan to Savoie — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their favourite pieces of physical culture. First up, the Siberian-born, Paris-based composer and synthesist.
Written by: Maria Teriaeva
Petition to save the Prince Charles Cinema signed by over 100,000 people in a day
PCC forever — The Soho institution has claimed its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd, is demanding the insertion of a break clause that would leave it “under permanent threat of closure”.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Remembering Taboo, the party that reshaped ’80s London nightlife
Glitter on the floor — Curators Martin Green and NJ Stevenson revisit Leigh Bowery’s legendary night, a space for wild expression that reimagined partying and fashion.
Written by: Cyna Mirzai
A timeless, dynamic view of the Highland Games
Long Walk Home — Robbie Lawrence travelled to the historic sporting events across Scotland and the USA, hoping to learn about cultural nationalism. He ended up capturing a wholesome, analogue experience rarely found in the modern age.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The rave salvaging toilets for London’s queers
Happy Endings — Public bathrooms have long been contested spaces for LGBTQ+ communities, and rising transphobia is seeing them come under scrutiny. With the infamous rave-in-a-bog at an east London institution, its party-goers are claiming them for their own.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Baghdad’s first skatepark set to open next week
Make Life Skate Life — Opening to the public on February 1, it will be located at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the city centre and free-of-charge to use.
Written by: Isaac Muk