What types of hedges would you choose for making animal shapes?

[Pecker]

Hello all. I was wondering if any of you do this and what types of hedges would be the best choice for cutting animal shapes / scultures. Not something any of my customers are interested in (not that I'd offer it as a service since I know nothing about it anyway) but I think it would be neat in my own yard. What would grow best in my area (north Louisiana)? I have a few Japanese Boxwoods in my yard I can try out for practice. I figured maybe I could try some type of Juniper?

Looking for knee - high up to five or six feet . . .

Also, are there any sources or links you can lead me to on how to do it? Any advice on where to start? Thanks in advance.

[1MajorTom]

There's an estate in Rhode Island called Green Animals.
You can see a few animal shapes there. (an elephant, a teddy bear, unicorn, etc.)
http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/newportatractions/a/aagreenanimals.htm
They said they used California privet, yew, and english boxwoods.

[Pecker]

Thank you MajorTom.

[WarrenRaymond]

English Boxwoods definately. I have been making hearts with these and the customers love it.