Walking the Dog 1976 - 1979

They say dogs often look like their owners... do you know any cases where this is true? 👇 Between 1976 and 1979, the British conceptual artist Keith Arnatt (1930-2008) captured a series of photographs titled 'Walking the Dog'. These square black and white photographs feature a diverse variety of individuals with their canine companions. All of the photographs depict real people, spotted by Arnatt in his local area of Tintern, Monmouthshire. 🐕 The woman in this example stands proudly in the centre of the frame, holding a large dog on its lead. She smiles at the camera. The dog sits at her feet, also facing the camera. This is an Old English Sheepdog, with a mass of shaggy white fur that even covers its eyes! Arnatt would often call the name of the dog just before taking a photograph, to ensure the pooch was looking in the direction of the camera. 🐶 The woman's long white coat and head covering resemble the dog's white fur. But is there any truth to the idea that dogs look similar to their owners? Psychologists such as Michael Roy (University of California) have studied the phenomenon, and believe that humans may gravitate towards pets who share familiar features. For example, people with long hair often choose long-haired dogs. Dr Roy even found similarities in eye shape between dog and owner! 👁️ Would you make the connection between this lady and her dog if you saw them separately? Do you think you resemble your furry friend? 😆