Cover Dr Z Teo with giant poodles Paris and Berlin (Photo: Jon Hipe)
Dr Z Teo with giant poodles Paris and Berlin (Photo: Jon Hipe)
1 / 1
Explore the heartwarming journey of three extraordinary poodles who transformed Dr Z Teo’s life, beautifully embodying the essence of true friendship
We all dream of having lifelong companions—true friends who will always be by our side. Some find this bond in people, others find it in the unconditional love of pets. Dr Z Teo, the visionary CEO of The Aivee Group can attest to the latter. With a heart full of love, he proudly takes on the role of a devoted “furdad”, leading a delightful pack of giant poodles that he brought all the way to the Philippines. His journey is a beautiful reminder of the incredible happiness that pets can bring into our lives.
He had always been fascinated with large breeds ever since he was young. So when he moved to the Philippines, he brought in a pair of St Bernards. Unfortunately, Teo lost them to heatstroke and heart problems—a harsh realisation that thick-coated dogs are threatened by the country’s hot climate.
One might think that after such a heartbreak, Teo wouldn’t want to have dogs again. But he remained positive and was determined to find a breed better suited to the country’s high humidity. His brother in Singapore—a veterenarian—made a suggestion: giant poodles. Despite their thick coats, they’re much lighter than St Bernards, making them far more suitable to the hot weather.
More from Tatler: What went down at Solenn Heussaff’s 40th birthday at Manila House
Above Teo’s mini giants—Carlo, Chambery, Rafina and Nice
Teo’s mini giants—Carlo, Chambery, Rafina and Nice
1 / 1
Teo was the first to bring the breed into the country during the Covid-19 pandemic, a time when everyone, Teo included, ached for the warmth of friends. Fortunately, the dog-loving doctor filled this vacuum with the giant poodles who were only puppies then. He hasn’t heard about giant poodles before; he simply wanted large, weather-friendly dogs in his home.
But when his brother broached the idea, he got intrigued. “Huh? What’s that?” Teo quips. Curious, he looked at a photo and was immediately captivated. “I was blown away. It looked like a teddy bear.” Within months, three puppies—Berlin, Oslo and Paris—arrived in the Philippines, just weeks before lockdown began. They were only six to seven months old, smaller than their future selves but their impact on The Aivee Group CEO was instant and strong.
With the country under restrictions, the three poodles stayed home with Teo, his wife Aivee and their children KenZ, Kenzo and Keli. Like many families during the pandemic, they didn’t have much to do. This restriction, however, sparked an idea in the idea: he started filming clips of Berlin, Oslo and Paris’s daily lives—frolicking in the garden, wandering around the kitchen or napping at his feet, and uploaded them on Instagram.
See more: Where did the Tatler community spend their summer vacations?
The simple family entertainment quickly went viral. “I called them the Z Giant Poodles because they were the first ones,” Teo says. The poodles were an instant hit. Viewers across the globe tuned in to see their gentleness despite their size, expressive faces and surprising intelligence. They offered a comforting distraction at a time when the world craved hope and connection.
Today, only two giant poodles stay in Teo’s home—Paris and her daughter Lisbon. The aesthetics doctor has a strict “girls only” policy, believing female dogs are calmer and gentler. They also don’t mark territory the way male dogs typically do. Lisbon, the eighth pup born during the panademic, holds deep sentimental value for him, while Paris, Lisbon’s mother, gave birth to eight puppies.
Above Teo’s giant poodles—Canton, Cairo and Oslo
Teo’s giant poodles—Canton, Cairo and Oslo
1 / 1
The giant poodles’ daily routine is consistent. Mornings begin with playtime outside, followed by breakfast. The rest of the day they spend following Teo from room to room. “They follow you everywhere. They just lie down and want to be around you,” he says. Lisbon is particularly attached, often sleeping in the same room and curling up by his side as he works.
Beyond the family home, the Z Giant Poodles have grown into a full-on brand. At a farm in Silang, Cavite, Teo now cares for hundreds of dogs—not just giant poodles but also other breeds such as Bernese Mountain Dogs, Australian Shepherds and Bichons. The farm houses up to 50 poodles at a time, looked after by full-time staff with access to air-conditioned kennels, open fields and even a grooming centre. Some dogs rotate between the farm and the city, depending on events, temperament and grooming schedules; while others serve as ambassadors at the Aivee Group’s premium retail pet store, Luxuri Pets, greeting clients at the door. “We choose dogs that have the right personality,” Teo says, and by that he means “they must love people”.
Above Teo with Oslo
Teo with Oslo
1 / 1
The poodles even landed roles in Netflix shows like Incognito, made appearances at mall openings, fashion shoots and even the Malacañang Palace. “They’re such good icebreakers. Even people who don’t like dogs start smiling,” Teo says.
The demand for these giant poodles continues to grow. For the remaining seven puppies from Paris, Teo has over 200 people interested in buying. As much as he’d love to keep them all, it simply isn’t possible.
Teo stresses how important it is for him to know who he’s selling to—it can’t be just anyone. He prefers to rehome his dogs with families who can genuinely care for giant poodles, from maintaining their thick coats to offering the same companionship the dogs do for humans. “A Z giant poodle is a luxury item,” he says plainly. “If you cannot afford to buy them, you cannot afford to take care of them.”
At the heart of it all is a deep bond fostered between Teo and his dogs. He considers them family—lifelong companions. “They know when you’re upset. You can talk to them. They’re very smart,” he says.
Teo’s journey with his giant poodles stands as a testament to the power of true love and genuine care. These gentle giants remind us that the most meaningful relationships can begin with a soft paw on your lap and a tail that wags at the sight of you.
NOW READ
Parks and prejudice: your ultimate guide to London
Anne Curtis on the Cetaphil skincare shift that saved her skin
7 things to do in Quezon City: your cultural and leisure guide this 2025
Credits
Photography: Jon Hipe
About
Jessica grew up writing letters for everyone, on every occasion. Little did she know that her hobby would eventually turn into a true passion. She believes that content should be relatable yet factual, engaging yet straightforward.
Work
A journalism graduate, Jessica never stops learning and honing her craft. She began her career as a Global Content Editor for a travel company, inspiring readers and travellers to explore the world. Currently, she writes on topics ranging from entertainment, health, sports and travel to in-depth stories about influential and impactful personalities.
For any leads, you may reach her through jessica.zapata@tatlerasia.com via email.
