Porcelain pooches turning heads in Libertyville

These dogs are almost perfect.

They don't bark. They don't bite. They don't poop.

They don't get sick and they don't pounce on visitors.

Actually, they don't do much of anything but sit and look pretty for the thousands of drivers who pass by their Libertyville home.

Drive north on Butterfield Road, and just before Route 176, glance to the right. You can't miss them.

Five Labrador retrievers sit obediently on Ken Herrmann's front lawn.

"Some people have stone ducks and geese," Herrmann said.

"We have Labradors."

These aren't just your run-of-the-puppy-mill pooches either.

The porcelain canines are all decked out in Harley-Davidson gear.

OK, so the shirts don't fit quite right, but the leatherette Harley caps and Harley sunglasses are still really sharp.

Herrmann had the dogs custom-made in California.

The adults weigh about 40 pounds, the pups are about half that.

"They weren't cheap," he said.

To say they look realistic is an understatement. From their big brown eyes, to their shiny, "wet" noses, the pooches seem like they'll woof any second.

One dog is chocolate-colored, one is black and the other three are yellow.

Their gender is uncertain since the sculptor went generic in those areas.

"They're unisex, I suppose," Herrmann said.

Drivers not only gape, but often pull into the Herrmann's driveway.

"It's amazing how many people have stopped to ask if they are for sale," he said.

This month, they are all-American bikers. But in past days, the dogs have been decorated and trimmed in Christmas attire. They've also been dressed up as brides and grooms.

Keep your eyes open in August, when the Labs will be donned in blue and gold.

"We're huge Notre Dame fans," Herrmann said.

"The Fighting Irish, all the way."

Herrmann isn't exactly sure he'll be able to find Notre Dame football helmets and shoulder pads to fit his ceramic pets. But he'll be proud of them either way.

"We love our Labs," he said.