Collecta Running Wildebeest to African Hunting Dog... is anyone else seeing it? (customising thought)

I know, I know.
It's so completely absurd! Stop now... But I can't. I just have to say what I think every time I see this figure.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
It's an African Hunting Dog in disguise.
Yes, it is!
Logically, the whole cross-species thing is rather hard to customise, given the big physical differences, like hooves, horns, ears, etc...  but there's just something in this model that's screaming at me that it wants to be an African Hunting Dog.   
Yeah, its late at night.

Still. 
I want some second opinions! Is it worth buying this model, and some "real" clay, and reshaping to my heart's content until I release that Wild dog? I can't leave him in there.

Drastic resculpt, maybe. But... but.. I have to.   
So, this is what I see in the above:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Physically, a bit of knife, and it would all come together fairly easily. The correct shape (of the body, and legs) is there. Only the head, paws and ears need reshaping. I'd keep the tail. To be honest, its the tail that gets me.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The tail! This finishes it off.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I think even keeping the head down in the figure would add to the 'joyful' expression of the wild dog. Maybe.
Like frollicking. 

Slightly more front view:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Wild Dog front view:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thoughts??
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That is a wonderful idea ! Just like somebody can see a model in a root from a tree, you see a dog in a gnu   
Of course you will have to try your idea  

Perhaps you should buy more than one gnu, so you have room for experiment ?

I can't wait to see the result    

Contrarily to what happens with other brands, CollectA can make their figures with very light bodied built. In my opinion, and even I consider this gnu an excelent figure, it should have an heavier looking. I understand the tail and legs movement can make you think you can make a good African wild dog. These dogs are persistent runners, have a characteristic tail and and quite elegant legs. However, I think the gnu is too good to be resculpted and too large to be transformed in a wild dog. There are many differences between both animals and you'll have a never ending job. Also, I may be wrong, but I suspect CollectA is releasing a painted dog for 2014 and if they keep working as they did with maned wolf, it will have a slender body and legs and probably a pose similar to the oryx. I think it was easier to turn a china or Nayab dog in a wild dog without destroying a nice piece. Well, if you keep your idea, it will be interesting to follow your work.

If you feel the need to do so, go ahead and do it. It's just going to keep nagging you until you start. If you do choose to do so, I'm excited to see the result!

What an interesting idea! I'm very curious what will be the final effect! It sounds crazy because these species are from completely different families but well, I think the result may be really great, pose actually suits wild dog very nicely.

Incredible idea   I can't wait to see the transformation  

Will we call it a werelycaon or a weredebeest ?  

I had to read it two times. what an idea! but i personally would also like a wilddog with hooves !    or a golden cat without,....

Susanne - In a crazy kind of (and hopefully not weird) way... you might be right. I have this very bizarre tendency to see things in.. things.   I like your thoughts on purchasing more than one - it is very sensible, and sane... and I might end up doing that. I'll start with one eventually though.

Roger - I understand you perfectly. In terms of anatomy (and I study animal anatomy a lot, its my job), the two species are very different. There's no disputing that. As you say, this beast is a lot heavier in build to an AWD, and certainly a lot more muscular. I do agree that 'crossing' the species seems a little extreme. Well, I don't intend to keep much of the original beast, if that's any help. (It probably isn't! )
As for too large, that may be, but I'm not actually after scale.. which sounds bad, but I don't really mind for this particular model. Of course the anatomical features would be scaled properly.
If CollectA releases a Wild dog - then all the better! But I still want my own custom.. naw.
Its funny, this started off as just an idea in my head... but now I am actually thinking about doing it. Horror: the poor, poor little model. xD. I'm very good with a knife...   Still, if I actually do it, I am very open to as many thoughts/comments as possible!

Thanks all for the interesting feedback. I'm very tempted to try it, which is scary. (When I get these assignments out of the way.)

I will likely do a quick computer sketch though of the idea (for anyone who's interested?)

Miss Jane wrote:

Roger - I understand you perfectly. In terms of anatomy (and I study animal anatomy a lot, its my job), the two species are very different. There's no disputing that. As you say, this beast is a lot heavier in build to an AWD, and certainly a lot more muscular. I do agree that 'crossing' the species seems a little extreme. Well, I don't intend to keep much of the original beast, if that's any help. (It probably isn't! )
As for too large, that may be, but I'm not actually after scale.. which sounds bad, but I don't really mind for this particular model. Of course the anatomical features would be scaled properly.
If CollectA releases a Wild dog - then all the better! But I still want my own custom.. naw.
Its funny, this started off as just an idea in my head... but now I am actually thinking about doing it. Horror: the poor, poor little model. xD. I'm very good with a knife...   Still, if I actually do it, I am very open to as many thoughts/comments as possible!

Thanks all for the interesting feedback. I'm very tempted to try it, which is scary. (When I get these assignments out of the way.)

I will likely do a quick computer sketch though of the idea (for anyone who's interested?)

OK, I understand, you already designed it in your mind and you're decided to make your own wild dog. You'll almost resculpt all figure like someone that is giving shape to a rock. My only reticence is that you're resculpting a rock that already found a good shape. Though, rocks like that there are a lot and your work will be unique.
Also, if the gnu is not really important for you, just go ahead and let us follow your work.

Haha, that is actually quite funny.   

Well, yes, one might say that. Originally just a thought, now I'm thinking the thought might become reality?

I love how you have put that! That's actually quite funny. Yes, it's so terrible to reshape an already lovely shaped rock. On the positive side, it's already shaped so near what I want so a lot less work for me! (I suppose that's no different to picking up a tree root and carving it if it already visually 'contains' some kind of image.) Unfortunately for this rock, it is a lovely figure. But in saying that, one day I will get the Gnu and leave it a Gnu because it is truly lovely.
But I cannot promise never to harm all the Gnu figures out there because they are so lovely... if I have one... and everyone else has one... then why have so many of the same thing?
Is that not also where the art of customising (repainting Schleich, for example) comes to light?
I cannot have so many of the same thing all standing in a row. For me, and my creativity, it all needs to be different. That's just how I am.   

And of course this Gnu is important! I think he is nice, yes, and well made, and someday I will probably get one as it is. (And another to repaint...  )

Anyhow. I do hope an individual art would still be seen as having character of its own, regardless of its parent rock?

Oh, I am sorry I haven't read it before. It is interesting to read the way you can easily wander in your thoughts. Artist with tools and with words.

Haha, Roger - that is so true. =D