The London Dog

The Baby Dog

2009-06-12T23:53:00.008Z

It was a sunny Bank Holiday Monday, and as I was walking down the London's South Bank, a pretty sight caught my eye. A group of children, happy as little Larries, surrounding a dog, doing the usual things that one should never do to a dog like pulling on ears and tail, manic stroking and general doggy interest that any canine companion will curse underneath their breath. And yet, the majestic looking English Bullterrier was taking all these advances with a calm dignified air of a dog that knows a passing fancy or two.

I was not the only one mesmerised by this sight. Many a person stopped by to admire the dog and her possy of tiny admirers. Why? It is perhaps the fierce reputation of a Bullterrier that made passers by stop in their tracks, the preconception that Bullterriers are somehow inherently dangerous, defeated in front of our very eyes.

Holly, who is 10 years-old, did decided to join her owner on the bench, where she trustingly relaxed in his lap with her belly up in the air. Her owner was exceedingly responsible when getting Holly, and made sure that she was well-bred and and well looked after as he was conscious of people who breed Bullterriers only for a financial gain. Holly is deaf, an ailment often attributed to white dogs, as the breeding of white colour attracts genetic impairment. This did not put Robert, Holly's owner, off. He wanted her for what she was, and that is a true love.

If you want to see more lovely London Terriers, please click here.

The Tea Drinking Dog of Portobello

2009-04-08T20:22:00.010Z

Meet Mitzy, a 9-year-old Jack Russell terrier. I spotted her immediately as it is not often that you see a dog sitting on man's arm, having her afternoon tea.

She certainly was a lady with character. She gave me some really good poses, but uttered a low growl when I became over familiar for her liking. I quickly understood that she shares such a lovely connection with her owner, that a nosey passer-by with a camera was superfluous, and a rather pesky interruption. And, of course, one should never forget that despite their rather cute looks and diminutive size, Jack Russells are feisty and full of beans.

For me it was a delightful moment caught in time, and I was happy with that.

Mitzy, with her charmingly old fashioned name calmly sipping tea in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Portobello Road Market, with its antique stalls, vintage clothing shops, cafes and the trendy crowd mixed with tourist milling around, made me think of a slightly more whimsical, olde London, a little vignette of things past, the proverbial man and his dog.

To meet other London terriers, click here.

The Lion King

2009-03-31T19:46:00.004Z

Meet Diesel. I met him in Old Compton Street, in Soho on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Diesel, with his lithe muscular body and a shiny coppery coloured coat, was very hard to miss indeed, as he was making his way through the crowds, tall and graceful with his two proud owners.

The owners warned me that Diesel, although perfectly polite, is not a fan of posing for photos, but I somehow coerced him into striking a good pose so I was more than pleased to get a good shot of him. This aloofness is a essential part of Ridgeback's character, as Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also known as African Lion Hound, were used for hunting lions. As such, they had to be agile, fearless but also extremely confident and composed. Diesel's formidable physique, paired with the ever so slightly aloof air of calm dignity has more than a lionesque quality to it. Just look at his pose - standing tall, and proud, with an air of quiet confidence about him, one can easily imagine him in an African grassland, rather than on a busy Soho street.

Even when presented with a treat, usually a sure way to any dog's heart, Diesel looked at me regally and turned his beautiful head away in a rather nonchalant way. Now, this gentleman has to be courted! Apparently, Diesel's proud exterior can be chipped with one thing and one thing only - chicken. No wonder a lowly treat was rejected!

It was such a pleasure to meet Diesel. He is a stunning dog with a true Ridgeback personality through and through. Although, next time I bump into him, I must make sure that I have a chicken drumstick at hand, to properly thank him for his contribution!

Ridgeback's name comes from a strip of hair on their back, which grows in a different direction giving it a ridge effect. Incidentally, an almighty row erupted between the animal charities and the Kennel Club,(following the BBC documentary about pedigree breeding standards), as it is apparently accepted to euthanise puppies born without the ridge as they do not confirm to the breed standard, while being perfectly healthy in all other aspects. While the Kennel Club and Ridgeback breeders refuted these accusations by saying that this approach was never actively encouraged and only used where ridgeless puppies could not be successfully homed, one cannot help but think that there is something deeply unsavoury and disturbing in even considering a destruction of a dog, whose only fault is to be born without a trait that is only breed defining rather than an actual health issue.

The Welsh Beauty Queen

2009-03-18T23:08:00.006Z

Meet Indy, a real gem of a dog, in more ways than one. Indy is a Welsh Corgi, an belongs to a dear friend of mine. I was lucky to join Indy and Dean for a walk in the lovely Holland Park on Saturday.

Indy is such a little stunner that as we walked through the park, she turned many a head, and attracted lots of admiring glances from passers by. Sturdy and low, with fabulous sandy coloured fluffy coat, immaculately curled tail, perfectly shaped little face and eyes sparkling with bouncy attitude, she is a perfect Corgi. What she has in looks, she doubles in her character, as she is an incredibly charming and lively girl. She was very excited to be out and about, and was trotting along happily, making friends with dogs and children, and perusing the peacocks, which proudly displayed their fabulous plumage to the gathered crowds.

She did have a few naughty turns, and had to be gently reprimanded, but that's only to be expected. Corgis are fiercely intelligent, and as a herding breed, have a mind of their own and like to work independently.

Corgis are an iconic breed in every sense of the word. Not only their looks are very distinctive, but they are also the favourite breed of Queen Elizabeth II, and as such often receive as much of press coverage as the Royal Family themselves. If you have a look at this photo of the Queen and her Corgi, you would not be surprised to see our Indy on her lap, fitting in perfectly.

To find out more about Corgis, click here.

The Dog of White Christmas

2008-12-30T14:24:00.004Z

Meet Birgit, a 4-year-old Samoyed beauty.

I met her on a sunny Boxing Day in Wandsworth. It was hard to miss her as she was bouncing around happily, white and fluffy like a snowflake. Birgit played with such a verve and vigour that I simply could not take my eyes off her, and immediately decided to approach her owner.

It was a cold day and people hurried around wrapped up in as many layers of clothing as possible. Birgit, however, was unperturbed by the wintry weather, and in fact seemed to enjoy it. Samoyeds are a Siberian breed and as such, their thick, double-layered coat is particularly well suited to cold temperatures. The Swedish origins of her name suit her perfectly, bringing up images of snowy wilderness.

Her owner tells me that Birgit adores fun and games more than anything else, and it does not surprise me. Samoyeds are working dogs, bred to pull sleighs and herd reindeer in sub-zero temperatures, which means that they need plenty of exercise and have to be kept busy. The sheer energy of Birgit's bouncing around would rival a small power station. She was running around, jumping up and hopping about like a furry white kangaroo.

When I managed to get her sitting down to pose, I was taken aback by how graceful and beautiful she was. Her dark eyes shone in her happy white face, and I dare say, she was almost flirtatious in her bubbly buoyant attitude. Just look at the come-hither look in her eyes! No wonder her owner adores her, and she is clearly the apple of his eye.

For Birgit's coat to look as stunning and snow-white as it is, she needs a lot of brushing and a monthly bath. Interestingly enough, Samoyed's coat is semi-waterproof so it takes a long time to get it soaking wet. Samoyeds are a resilient and hardy breed. The first dog to reach the North Pole with Roald Amundsen was a Samoyed so the breed has a long history of serving the humans in the most inhospitable and challenging conditions on earth.

It was a real pleasure to meet Birgit. She was a truly adorable little spark, and brought a spirit of white Christmas to the otherwise snow-free London.

If you want to find out more about Samoyeds, please visit The Northern Samoyed Society.

The Jazzy Hooch

2008-10-28T21:25:00.005Z

Meet Hooch, an 11-year-old Staffordshire Bullterrier.

I bumped into Hooch outside the Brixton tube station on a rainy evening, as he was busking along Selwyn, his owner. As commuters were rushing out of the station in a steady stream, Hooch was looking on, his chunky sturdy body, and his wide friendly face unperturbed by the the crowds milling around him. His relaxed attitude had a bit of a real Hooch about him, rather like a warming shot of whisky on a cold day like today, so I just had to stop and have a chat.

His owner, Selwyn, was busy talking to a passer by, so I made my introductions to Hooch myself. Hooch, a true professional, knew how to work a fan straight away. At the first mention of the word treat, followed by my looking for the box in my bag, Hooch stuck his wide face inside it and proceeded to muzzle around, helping me to find it.

Several treats and suggestive looks later, I was seduced. Hooch was not only fabulously expressive in his manner, shooting surreptitious glances at the treat box, tilting his head and being an absolute charmer, but also very polite and gentlemanly, offering his paw and placing it firmly in my hand.

Selwyn, his owner, told me that the Hooch used to stay at home when Selwyn went out busking. Hooch, the natural born entertainer that he is, used to mope about being left behind, so Selwyn decided to take him along, on a condition that Hooch would busk too. And sure enough, once the saxophone sounded the first couple of bars of Gershwin's Summertime, Hooch joined in with a low howl, fully in keeping with the soulful jazzy tune!

Hooch is a real performer and loves dressing up. His favourite outfit is a policeman's uniform, but unfortunately, Hooch was not on duty today. Selwyn promised me that he will wear it next time around so stay tuned!

The light was not that great at the entrance to the station so when I initially looked at the pics of Hooch, I was a bit worried that they did not convey the full character of this very special dog. Then I decided to turn them black and white, and bingo! Hooch looked like a 30s jazz star in a smoky club.

I must say that meeting Hooch was a real highlight of the day. A dog with such a personality and panache is a real find. See you around Hooch!

To meet other London terriers please click here.

Days of Thunder

2008-10-05T18:45:00.007Z

Meet Thor. Not the Norse god of thunder, but an adorable Labrador puppy, who I bumped into in Brompton Road, just around the corner from the V&A museum.

Words cannot describe how adorable he was, with his chunky paws, happy clumsiness of a puppy, bounding enthusiastically on the leash, in very high spirits despite the miserable weather. Labrador puppies are known for their looks, and it's not a coincidence that the most famous puppy in UK is in fact a Labrador, the 'Andrex' puppy ads dog voiced by Rik Mayall, has become a part of the colloquial language and British culture.

Thor was, in fact, so vivacious and full of beans, that my friend Dean had to assist with the photo shoot, which resulted in one of the funniest shots on The London Dog to date. Just look at the paws akimbo, and the sheer radiance on his face (Thor's, not Dean's) - simply irresistible!

Thor's owner clearly adores him, and has gone through a lot of trouble to ensure that he got the healthiest and best Labrador pup he could find. Mind you, when he told me that Thor was first at his feet, chewing on his fingers and generally making himself immediately indispensable, it seems that it was Thor who chose and found his owner, not the other way around!

Thor is extremely sociable and his main hobby is pursuing other dogs in the park to play and frolick around. His owner also produced a chewed up rope toy from his pocket, which Thor loves to chew and play with in the park.

His puppy manners aside, when I offered him a treat, he was very well-behaved, titlting his head in a cutest way possible, and taking the treat very gently from my hand, so I do have very high hopes indeed for this young gentleman. Good luck Thor! I am sure you will grow up to be a real Labrador stunner.

To see other Labradors and Retrievers please click here

Dog's life

2008-09-21T09:21:00.008Z

No posts for a while as London Dog went to Marrakech for a much deserved holiday. However, as an intrepid explorer of all things canine, London Dog could not resist documenting the life of Marrakechi dogs.

Morocco is a Muslim country so dogs are not usually kept as pets as Q'ran sees them as impure. There are many interpretations of this, with some scholars seeing all dogs as inferior and impure, and some allowing exceptions, like in the case of working dogs, be it for herding sheep, police work or as guide dogs. Here is a useful and succinct explanation of the rules.

Having said that, I have seen people having dogs as pets so like all rules, they are to be broken. They seemed happy and well looked after, like the little Ruza below. I met him in one of the many enchanting tiny streets in the Medina. One has to haggle for everything in Marrakech, so even taking this photo was a bit of a business transaction. 10 dirhams changed hands, and I was allowed to take his photo. Ruza was very friendly and sweet, and very well looked after, with his coat silky and smooth. The breed is hard to determine, but a King Charles Cavalier comes to mind, just from looking at his snub muzzle, colouring and coat texture.

I also met this little fellow, who resides in a Dar Mimoun, one of the beautiful riad style hotels in the Medina. In the oasis of greenery and calm atmosphere of the courtyard restaurant, the little mutt was barking very loudly at the visitors, guarding his patch.

Unfortunately, there are also examples homeless dogs, that simply roam the streets and feed on scraps of food lying around. I saw this one, quite a young puppy, sleeping in the street, avoiding the heat in a shadow on an old wheelbarrow.

The homeless dogs live cheek by jowl with the enormous population of feral cats. Cats are a part and parcel of Marrakech life, hundreds of them walking around, lithe and thin, weaving around restaurant tables hoping for some food. They are everywhere, walking the streets, sleeping in the shade of the goods displayed in on the stalls, in the back alleys, and in the souks, the traditional markets.

However unfair or nearly heartbreaking it may seem to the Western eye, it is a reality of the poor countries, that animals like dogs and cats are very low down the pecking order. In a city where women, children, the old, infirm and disabled beg on the streets, a homeless dog or cat is the least of anybody's worries. It simply gives one another perspective on life, one not as clear cut and comfortable as the Western one.

Streetwatch

2008-09-12T17:39:00.011Z

Meet CJ. Not the CJ from Baywatch but an equally beautiful (and somewhat less cliched in her beauty), Border Collie and a Whippet cross.

I met CJ in South Molton Street today. I spotted her from a distance, as she was sitting in the middle of the pedestranised street, graceful and lithe, with a purposeful air of a dog waiting for its owner about her. Tom, her owner, was just few feet away, selling the Big Issue magazine.

The little stunner is nearly 2 years old, slim and elegant, both traits of a whippet, with that unmistakable alertness and intelligence of a Collie, that makes her very special indeed.

CJ is a rescue dog, and Tom got her in Edinburgh when she was a puppy and they have been inseparable ever since.

Tom had lived on the streets in the past, but recently he managed to get accommodation, and gets by selling the Big Issue, so luckily both him and CJ now have a home. Tom and CJ are regulars in South Molton Street, which is filled with lovely expensive boutiques, and in some way illustrate the rich tapestry of London life where fortune and misfortune live cheek by jowl.

CJ is a bright spark in Tom's life, his faithful companion and a comfort in difficult situations. She is also extremely well behaved, responsive, attentive and polite. She sat beautifully for the treats, and followed her owner with adoring eyes. Tom tells me that she is so intelligent that most of these behaviours are self-taught, which is definitely a dream of any unruly dog owner (yes, I am talking about you Kevin!).

I have recently written about Clyde, who also lives on the streets in London, and I sincerely hope he is feeling better now. The patient and loving companionship of an animal when one finds oneself in a difficult situation can never be underestimated so please spare a thought, and buy the Big Issue next time you see Tom in South Molton Street.

To meet other London Collies please click here, and to see Whippets and Greyhounds have a look here.

Amber-roo!

2008-09-08T18:48:00.006Z

It is the first time that London Dog features a dog and his owner in one shot.

There is a reason for this exception. Amber, a 6-year-old Alsatian cross, clearly adores her owner Tony so much, that there was no way I would get a photo of her without him in the picture too. Just look at the adoring eyes and trusting pose!

Amber, who came from the Battersea Dogs Home at the age of 9 months, is a perfect example of how an unwanted dog (she was abandoned by a motorway, not to put too fine a point to it, to die), flourishes and brings happiness to people's lives.

At the first attempt of taking a photo, Amber simply started bouncing up so high, that one could easily think that she was a Alsatian and Kangaroo cross! I have never seen a dog jumping so high with such grace and ease, so this lady clearly knows her tricks.

Amber clearly shows her Alsatian (German Shepherd) heritage in her dark coat with russet coloured patches, and beautiful hazel brown eyes.

She has a mischievous streak in her and uses her agility to her own devices. Her owner tells me that she opens kitchen cupboards and helps herself to food, especially flour which does become a very messy business indeed!

Amber was bright and sparkly when I met her, thanks to a 4 hour walk with Tony, who always makes sure that she has a super-long walk during weekends to compensate for the working week.

It was a pleasure to meet Tony and Amber, a perfect duo of a man and his dog, clearly adoring each other and sharing a very special connection that all devoted animal lovers will recognise as so rewarding in having a dog, especially one that was given a chance, not awarded to many abandoned dogs.

To find your perfect canine match visit the Dogs Blog.

To explore adoption options from Battersea Dogs Home, please visit their website.

Hair of the dog

2008-08-31T20:50:00.009Z

Meet Rocky.

I bumped into Rocky today in Amwell Street in Islington, during a local street fair. There were lots of dogs about but Rocky stood out a mile. I first thought that he was a Chinese Crested dog, but his owner was quick to clarify that he was a cross breed of the Chinese Crested and a Mexican Hairless dog, hence his size. Rocky is roughly a size of a whippet, and Chinese crested is much smaller as a toy breed, so he takes his size after his Mexican ancestor.

He is pratically hairless, bar the tufts of hair on is muzzle, paws and ears, so he needs protection from sunlight. His owner always makes sure Rocky wears sun block SPF 40 when outside to ensure that he is safe and protected in the warm sunny weather.

Rocky is very shy by nature, but he loves swimming and since he has been enjoying the odd dip or two, he had become more confident. It was very much in evidence as I was stroking his delicate skin, and he was happy to accept the attention.

Hairless dogs require a lot of care and attention due to their delicate skin, so I was very happy to see that his owners clearly adored him and took an exceptionally good care of him.

Chinese Crested dog is an ancient Chinese breed. One of the breed roles was to be a companion in bed as a sort of a hot water bottle as their bellies are always rather hot. I must say when I touched Rocky's belly, it was really warm and toasty so he would make an ideal bed companion! The breed originates from Africa and was futher developed in China. Mexican Hairless comes from Mexico of course, and is also known as Xoloitzcuintle (a bit of a tongue twister!) and comes in a variety of different sizes but you can see the breed in Rocky - the steel colured coat and the athletic physique clearly points to his Mexican heritage.

To find out more about the Chinese Crested please visit The Chinese Crested Cub of Great Britain

and to find out more about the Mexican Hairless dog, have a look here.

Little Miss Fluffy

2008-08-27T19:23:00.002Z

Meet Molly. When I spotted Molly trotting along the Clapham Common South Side on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I nearly jumped out of my seat as she was such an unusual looking dog, and while i could not quite identify the breed, everything about her seemed so different I just had to stop her owner for a chat.

Molly is a 9-month-old Puli, hence her highly distinctive look. Puli is a Hungarian pastoral breed, known for its very distinctive dread-locked coat. She is only a puppy so her coat hasn't achieved the full corded-like appearance of a fully grown Puli but she just looks adorable and her pink tongue being one of the few indications of where her little face is hidden under the halo of soft curls.

Puli's coat is a wonder of nature. Once it achieves this dread-locked look, it becomes virtually waterproof, which was one of the requirements of this ancient breed, as they would work in th fields with the sheep in all weather conditions.

Molly's owner told me that it was this distinctive look that attracted him to the breed. A spaniel was first considered but after some deliberation Puli won, and I am not surprised. Puli is a great breed. The patience, intelligence and determination inherent in any shepherd breed are always great characteristics, and Puli has them all. Molly loves walks and playing with her toys, and I am sure she will grow up to be one smart London shepherd dog!

It was a real treat to meet Molly, not only as she is simply a delightful, friendly and beautiful dog, but also to see a Puli on the streets of London is a rare occurrence, and it is always great to see a dog that stands out from the crowd.

To find out more about Pulis please visit The Hungarian Puli Club of Great Britain.

Friend for life

2008-08-25T21:10:00.007Z

Meet Clyde. Clyde is a 16-year-old Collie cross. I met Clyde in Knightsbridge today. Knightsbridge is the home of Harrods, the world's most famous luxury department store and the streets are filled well-heeled shoppers as expensive cars whizz by every minute.

It was in the hustle and bustle of the busy pavement near Harrods, where Clyde and his owner were sitting on the street together; his owner a homeless man begging for money, Clyde snuggled up in his lap. I started talking to Clyde's owner, and as Clyde looked a bit under the weather, I asked about his health. It turns out Clyde is ill. He has a serious kidney condition, triggered by his age. He only just got treated for it at the RSPCA hospital, and with no home to go to, both him and his owner were out on the streets, fending for themselves.

Clyde was snuggly wrapped up in a blanket, clearly suffering, his eyes full of sadness, his owner trying to make him as comfortable as possible on a busy street. There is a lot of cynicism surrounding homeless men with dogs. Many say that they use the animals for profit, trying to get sympathy and elicit more money from the passers by, while disregarding the well-being of the animal. I would not be as quick to pass such judgment, as there are many people who abuse and profiteer from an unethical treatment of animals from the comfort of their own home, while in the life of people who have fallen on hard times, sleeping rough and trying to find shelter every night, their dog is often their only friend.

Moved by their plight, I extended an offer of money, and the owner declined. He started crying and this is when I fully appreciated how much the dog meant to him, and it was not about the money. They have been together for years, for better and for worse and with Clyde's health deteriorating, his owner could lose his closest friend. A friend who would never judge, always be there and offer this unconditional comfort and love that one so appreciates in having a dog.

Clyde was well enough to have a couple of treats, but did not want to be touched as it clearly caused him some discomfort. I must say that I left them with a heavy heart.

Dogs Trust, the formidable UK dog charity, runs a scheme for homeless people with dogs, helping them to find a place to stay, especially during Christmas and the winter months, which is not easy, as most hostels will not accept people with dogs. Please think of Clyde and his owner, and give generously.

The Great Picnic Robbery

2008-08-24T09:53:00.006Z

Meet Gracie and Lola.

Gracie, the one with a direct happy gaze, is a sprocker, a colloquial name for a cross-breed between a Springer and a Cocker spaniel. Lola, the one looking away wistfully, is a pure Springer. You can see the slight difference in their shape and size, as Gracie has a smoother coat and sturdier body of a Cocker, while Lola has the adorable little fringe so typical of Springer spaniels.

I met Lola and Gracie at a birthday picnic in Highgate a week ago, and they were the life and souls(s) of the party. Happily bounding about, setting off on little adventures across the green and into the bushes, only to come back to snuggle up with the picnic guests, they were fabulous additions to the party crowd.

Bibi, their owner tells me that Lola and Gracie are as energetic and happy at all times. Lola is always first out of the door, always ready for a walk and loves chasing squirrels in Richmond where they both live. Gracie, on the other hand, loves swimming, and more importantly, helping herself to other people's picnic food. I must say that it was very much in evidence during our picnic, where both little minxes craftily made away with bits of food left unattended, sneaking away into the bushes with a piece of bread or having a bit of the barbecued sausage on the side. Not that all the food came from illicit sources, of course. The two charmers worked the crowd like a pair of PR professionals, immediately spotting the guests that were more likely to come up with the goods. Usually more of a authoritarian when it comes to the doggie discipline, I was bowled over but their good looks and lovely personalities so I finally succumbed and fed both bits of a veggie burger.

Lola has a bit of an aristocratic background. When Bibi was looking for dog, a friend's mother, a certain Lady of the Manor said to her daughter "Darling, I went out for a packet of tea and came back with a springer". Since then Lola settled happily in Richmond, and has her best friend Gracie to keep her company making a truly adorable duo.

Gracie and Lola were such a joy to be around. Their infectious enthusiasm and happy go lucky attitudes, (both inherent in the spaniel breed) were real highlights of the lovely afternoon.

To meet other London spaniels please see Max, Poppy and Connor who all work for the Met Police and the lovely Monkey, a King Charles Cavalier.

The Rastafarian Ruffian

2008-08-04T18:41:00.003Z

I met Rasta today as he was waiting in front of a supermarket in Islington with his owner. He immediately caught my eye as he looked like a very interesting mix of breeds. He has something of a Schnauzer in him but with a colouring of a spaniel so when I approached his owner I was surprised to find out that Rasta is in fact a 3-year-old cross between a Fox Terrier and a Tibetan Terrier.

After having another look, it of course made sense. The compact athletic body with, the saddle style patches of colour and the tufts of hair over his sparkly eyes point to his Fox terrier part, whilst the tasselled perky tail and the soft coat definitely comes from his Tibetan terrier side.

Rasta is a beautiful dog with bags of personality. Not only he offered me a paw like a real gentleman, but also stuck his muzzle into my bag and looked into my eyes persuasively, hoping that something tasty may come his way. He was not to be disappointed. When I offered him a treat, he sat nicely, tilted his head and took the treat from my hand rather gently.

Rasta is not as well-mannered as he seems at first and his owner tells me that he has a mischievous side to him. He loves playing football in the park, and does tend to get a bit carried away sometimes so let's just say that he does not adhere to the Premiership rules! He has a penchant for joining a game of football in the park, making away with the ball and then chewing through it. Although Rasta owner admitted to having to pay for many a football wantonly destroyed this way, it was very clear to me that Rasta's charm and personality made him so irresistible so his crimes were quickly forgotten and forgiven. Just look into these eyes, would you ever hold anything against him?

Apparently Rasta also loses his sense of hearing when off the lead in the park which is a characteristic shared with many dogs. Interestingly, my incorrigible Dachshund Kevin displays similar behaviour!

It was a real pleasure to meet Rasta. He is a charmer and a real character, and he put a smile on my way home. Mind you, my Dachshund Kevin was sniffed my hands with an air of outraged suspicion when I got there!

To find out more about Fox Terriers visit The Fox Terrier Club, and to learn more about Tibetan Terriers have a look at the Tibetan Terrier Association site.

To meet other London Terriers please see visit Poppy and Willy, Dillon, Prudence, Jack, Rusty, Gussie, Barney and Hank.

Henry, king of England

2008-03-17T20:20:00.005Z

Meet Henry, an English Bulldog. I was incredibly excited to bump into Henry in Borough Market today, and I literally bumped into him when he suddenly appeared in my path, his solid bulky body and short muzzle impossible to ignore. The bulldog, an iconic English breed, is no longer a common sight on London streets, but when you see one, you don't forget it quickly! In fact, the proverbial Englishman, John Bull, the "honest plain-dealing fellow, choleric, bold, and of a very inconstant temper", is often depicted with a bulldog, signifying the British spirit.

Henry, who appropriately bears the name of several English kings, has a fabulous personality. Not only is he friendly and loves attention, but he shows that slightly stubborn determined streak, so essential in the bulldog's character. He ran around me a couple of times, his mischievous eyes shining, and refused to pose for photos, trying to stick his muzzle right into the camera lens, and running away playfully when his owner tried get him to stand still. As a result, the photo isn't the best quality but Henry's personality definitely shines through!

At only 11 months, he is a big boy, sturdy and solid, and moving him out of the way was nearly impossible, especially when he decided to dig his heels in and enjoy a raw potato found on the floor. Henry goes to his owner's office every day, spending the day in his basket under the desk, running around the office and, of course, visiting Borough Market. In fact, the visits and resulting hunting expeditions, with Henry nibbling on the odd veg found on the floor, are one of Henry's favourite things, along with sitting on the sofa and watching telly with his owner in the evening.

It was a real pleasure to meet Henry, and I was delighted to meet such a beautiful example of the breed. The bulldog, a very old English breed, was originally bred to fight bulls in the pits of medieval and Tudor England. Bull-baiting, a cruel pastime, was finally banned in 1832, but the breed remained. Sturdy and incredibly strong, with a prominent jaw and mournful looking eyes, the bulldog is a dog whose beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. The breed has a very strong following, as bulldogs are docile, friendly and immensely loyal, and make great pets. They do have a willful and stubborn side to them so they need a consistent and patient owner.

To find out more about bulldogs visit Bulldog Breed Council

To see another bull-y sort of dog please visit a bulldog and mastiff cross called Biffer

The African Queen

2008-03-06T21:26:00.005Z

Meet Simba.

I spotted her from quite a distance as her smooth coat had such an unusual tawny reddish shade, gleaming in the afternoon sun in St George's Gardens, Bloomsbury. She is a beautiful dog, a Shar-pei and Staffordshire Bullterrier cross, with the compact, athletic body of a Staffie, but the wrinkled face and a colouring of a Shar-pei, especially the dark shading around her muzzle and mouth.

Her owner inherited Simba from his girlfriend, who called her Honey. You can see why when you look at her honey-coloured coat, but Simba somehow fits her perfectly. True to her name (Simba means lion in Swahili), she seems like a bit of a hunter. As I was watching Simba running around the park in a light-footed gait, lithe and graceful, I could not help but notice her calm and focussed demeanour. As I stood and chatted to Simba's owner, she managed to look into every nook and cranny of the park, and turn around every few seconds to see if her owner was still there.

Simba finally came along to say hello and, at the sight of a box of treats, she changed from an aloof African queen into the friendliest of dogs. She sat beautifully, and waited patiently with her hazel brown eyes shining in her wrinkled cute face.

She is the kindest of dogs, and her favourite pastime is playing with other dogs. A husky called Luna is her best friend and they often spend time running around the park together. I certainly look forward to see her again soon!

To meet other Staffies please see Kaiser and an Islington Shar-pei called Rebel.

Moomin Puppy

2008-02-11T21:26:00.000Z

Remember Sidney - the cutest pup in London of 2007? Well, it's 2008 and there is a new star in town.

Meet Moomin - a 12-week-old whippet puppy. I spotted this little cutie in Islington's Farmers Market, sitting by one of the stalls at the entrance. He was wearing a lovely checkered woollen coat and chewing on a stick that was nearly the same size as him.

Moomin is a new addition to his owner's family. They always wanted a whippet and Moomin seemed like the dream dog. One glance at this little beauty and you understand why. He is absolutely tiny, with white socks on his paws, an amazingly shiny and silky steel coloured coat and, better still, matching luminous grey eyes. He kept bouncing around in a happy carefree pupy fashion, attracting the attention of virtually every passer-by with his wonderful sparkling personality and fabulous looks.

Whippets were very much working-class dogs, known as the 'poor man's greyhound' and popular in the North of England. In perfect whippet fashion, Moomin comes from a terraced house in Birmingham. Before coming to London, he used to have hearty diet of scrambled eggs for breakfast, tuna for lunch and some tripe for dinner. He is now on puppy feed but still adores tuna, and will not refuse a treat either. He put his tiny paws on my knees while looking at me inquisitively, before scoffing the treat hastily. How could one refuse such a little charmer?

I am sure that Moomin's beauty and charm will only grow with age, as he is pretty special already. As an avid whippet fan and a fellow Islingtonite, I am genuinely lookinng forward to seeing Moomin again soon!

To learn more about whippets and meet another whippet beauty please visit Pearl

Northern Soul

2008-02-10T11:47:00.001Z

This little stunner is Bodie, an 11-month-old miniature long-haired Dachshund. Bodie isn't a strictly speaking a London dog, as he lives in Yorkshire, but he often visits and, looking as glamorous as he does, he fully qualifies as a London pooch.

I met Bodie at the corner of Bruton Street and New Bond Street in Mayfair on a busy Saturday afternoon, as he was walking down the street with his owners, attracting admiring glances. He immediately caught my eye, not only because I am a proud owner of a Dachshund called Kevin, so I adore the breed, but also because of his unusual creamy colouring, rather like a capuccino with a chocolate sprinkle here and there.

If you compare Bodie and another long-haired miniature Dachshund, Heidi, with her russet coloured locks, you can really see how different they look - Bodie's silky coat is a real showstopper.

Bodie got his name from a character in Point Break - a surfer movie from the Nineties. While his namesake was a rebellious surfer, Bodie seems rather mild mannered, thoughtful and a bit shy. This, however, as Bodie's owners tell me, is not entirely the case. At home, Bodie rules the roost and his favourite pastime is not doing as he's told, nipping at hems of trousers and having eggs and ham for breakfast. No wonder he turned up his perfectly shaped nose when I was trying to buy his favour by a way of a dog treat. He skillfully dodged my camera and refused to pose en face, despite my pleas.

As it turns out, Bodie knew what he was doing - just look at this photo. You get full view of Bodie's patrician profile, his soulful eyes beautifully enhanced by a bit of a natural eyeliner, his tasseled tail atrfully arranged on the floor, and his tiny and graceful body at a very flattering angle.

Bodie is going to a doggie school soon - I bet the little aristocrat will give his trainer a good run for his money. Good luck Bodie!

To see more London Dachshunds and learn more about the breed, please visit Heidi and Oscar, and also check out The London Dog himself, Kevin.

A Model Dog

2007-12-09T19:47:00.000Z

Meet Barney, who I came across in Islington's Upper Street this morning.

Barney is a 10-year-old Airedale Terrier. I spotted him from quite a distance, as his tall, elegant physique, paired with a reddish coat and graceful gait, made him stand out even on a dull rainy day like today.

After a brief chat with Barney's owner, I found out that his ease in front of camera is due to him being something of a professional. He has dabbed in modelling, showing off handmade collars for Holly and Lil, and he can also be seen on You Tube in a selection of videos, showing him frolicking about with his friends.

None of this, of course, comes as a surprise, as Barney is an exceptionally good looking dog. It seems that Barney is fully aware of his Adonis appeal and often uses his good looks to get away with mischief, like chasing cats or not offering his paw first for a treat! To be fair, the second I put my hand out to him, he looked at me from underneath his fringe and put his paw into my hand imperiously as if to say: 'I know I am fabulous, so a treat, please!'

The Airedale is one of the largest of the terrier group, and has a quite an interesting pedigree. The breed comes from the Yorkshire town of the same name, and they were originally bred to hunt otters, hence the double coat, which has an undercoat to keep them warm in the water, and a wiry curly layer of hair on top. They have a quite an unusual colouring, with a dark saddle-like patch, as seen on Barney, and reddish coat on the rest of the body.

Airedales are strong, quick-witted and extremely intelligent, which is why there were used in First World War for carrying messages across trenches and for locating injured soldiers on the battlefield. Indeed, an Airedale called Jack was was awarded a posthumous George Cross for "Gallantry in the Field".

To find out more about Airedales, visit the South of England Airedale Terrier Club

A Very August Terrier

2007-11-18T18:54:00.000Z

Meet Gussie. I spotted Gussie in Islington as he was walking across the road, perky and happy, with only his fur, but clearly not his spirits, ruffled by gusts of November wind.

At first, I thought that Gussie was a Norfolk Terrier but, after a chat with Gussies lovely owner, it turned out that he is a rescue dog with an unconfirmed pedigree. He is definitely a first-time cross, with a bit of West Highland Terrier and possibly Norfolk or Cairn Terrier in him, hence the round Westie face, sturdy little body, antenna-like short tail, and salt and pepper colouring of a Norfolk or Cairn.

Gussie is a 1-year-old rescue dog, from the Dogs Trust. He is still a tad timid but care and love has clearly done him good, as he is friendly and very chirpy. His owner, by her own admission fomerly very much a labrador person, fell for him head over heels and you can see why.

He has such a lovely, yet thoughtful, personality, with his black eyes shining in his little face. He is also full of beans, and persistently avoided my camera by running around playfully. I finally managed to snap him sitting at his owner's feet, looking smart with his white tie and pricked up ears. As you can see, he is always on the lookout for all things new and his favourite pastime is apparently squirrel chasing. My dachshund Kevin would definitely agree that squirrels are very annoying indeed! Fortunately, they beat a hasty retreat every time Gussie is around, knowing that one should not push one's luck with a terrier.

It was a real pleasure to meet Gussie. He is such a great example of how a dog unwanted, and perhaps even mistreated by somebody else, will flourish and enrich lives of his owners when given attention and love.

Good luck to you Gussie!

To see more London terriers please visit Poppy and Willy, Dillon, Prudence, Jack, Rusty, and Hank.

Beefy Biffer

2007-08-13T21:52:00.000Z

Meet Biffer. It was hard to miss him lounging lazily on the pavement next to his owner, who was waiting for her coffee outside a cafe in Liverpool Road in Islington.

He is only 9 months old, so technically is still a puppy and, although you can't tell from his formidable size, his buoyant and carefree attitude was very much that of a toddler, albeit quite a large one. When I came up to say hello, he welcomed me with a happy smile on his big friendly face and then immediately lay down with all four paws in the air, asking for tummy strokes! In fact, he pawed my hand imperiously as if to say, "Come on! I don't have all day, you know!"

Biffer is a Bulldog and English Mastiff cross, and it seems he has the best features of both breeds. He has the colouring of a Mastiff, with the characteristic shading around the eyes, but the short muzzle comes from his Bulldog side, as does his stocky and compact body. Mind you, he is a puppy so may still grow, as Mastiffs are one of the largest breeds in the world.

Biffer was very happy accepting treats from me but, all off a sudden, his face lit up and he leapt towards my fruit basket. It turns out that Biffer adores strawberries even more than dog treats. I gave him a couple and he wolfed them down enthusiastically, stalks and all. He then licked his chops lusciously and, after giving it a bit of thought, extended his paw to me and gave me what could only be described as a very firm handshake. Bearing in mind that his paw was almost the same size as my arm and his big brown eyes looked at me pleadingly, I decided to feed Biffer another strawberry.

Despite his size, Biffer is very gentle, good-natured and incredibly genial. He is such a friendly and amenable dog that he made my Sunday a very sunny one indeed.

Making a move

2007-08-13T21:41:00.000Z

Dear All,

Long time, no posts... London Dog has moved house, which, I am sure you all know, is quite a time-consuming affair, hence no posts for a while. We have settled now and I finally have time to scout for new London pooches. So, see you around.

Woofingly yours,

The London Dog

Yankee Woodle Dandy

2007-07-09T20:46:00.000Z

Meet Hank - a Woodle. A Woodle, you ask? Well, Hank is a cross of a Westie (West Highland Terrier) and a Poodle, hence the name - Woodle.

I met Hank on my way from work on Friday, in Tooley Street, near London Bridge. To be fair, I first spotted his very stylish owner, looking fabulous in a leopard print belted coat and fifties style sunglasses, then Hank, white and fluffy like a snowflake in her arms.

Theoretically, Hank isn't strictly speaking a London dog, as he lives in Brighton. However, seeing as Brighton is also called 'London-by-the sea', as it is as bustling, trendy and cultured as the capital itself, and Hank comes to town quite a lot, he is more than worthy of being a London dog.

Hank got his name from Hank Williams, the country music stalwart, as his owner has a soft spot for country and western music. If you think that Hank is a tough, cowboy dog, you'd be very much mistaken. He is incredibly pretty and dainty, with tiny paws and a beautifully groomed coat. His neat little body, silky soft fur paired with his cute face, with his dark eyes sparkling in his white face, is killer combination.

When I asked Hank's owner about his favourite pastime, she simply said 'loving', and she was clearly telling the truth. When I approached, Hank immediately jumped on my knees and showered me with kisses. He is very affectionate and adores a bit of TLC and attention. His tail, with a little tassel at the end, just kept on going, and his long fluffy ears were up all the time, as I stroked his friendly little face. Hank was not to be outdone by his owner on the style front. He was wearing a lovely red collar with bone shaped studs - the little dandy!

I wanted to make sure that I got a good photo of Hank, so I went to great lengths to keep him sitting and looking at me, including a couple of treats and making shrill noises to the great puzzlement of passers by. I was rewarded with an extra cute pose and lots of kisses goodbye. As I left Hank, I thought that this lovely encounter was a perfect touch to round off a busy week and kick-start the weekend.

Poodles are an old French breed, originally bred for hunting waterfowl, hence the think coat. They are also one of the most instantly recognisable dogs, due to the elaborate cut that their fur is often given, revealing their hind quarters and the fluffy hair on paws, chest and head. However, this is not a necessary part of daily coat maintenance, and a short clip, as seen on Hank, is perfectly sufficient. Poodles are highly intelligent and are used as guide dogs for the visually impaired, especially for children, as their size is more manageable than that of the more common guide dog breed - the Labrador. Affectionate, playful and devoted, Poodles make perfect pets, and their role has changed over years to that of a companion, rather than a hunting dog.

To find out more about Westies visit Poppy.

To find out more about Poodles, visit the The Poodle Club.

Dog and the City

2007-06-27T21:17:00.000Z

As I nipped out of the office for a breath of fresh air, I spotted a beautiful black labrador sitting outside a cafe next door cafe, staring intently at the entrance of the local Marks & Spencers. I assumed that she must have been waiting for someone and I decided to keep her company. She was distractedly accepting my stroking her and, despite me whispering assurances into her silky ear, she would not be persuaded to take her eyes off the door. I was shortly joined by an Italian gentleman who was watching her too from a nearby table, and was rather taken with her, and a couple of people who stroked her lovely head and complemented her on her good looks. It seemed that Jess was a bit of a hit with the busy City crowd.

Finally, Jess started wagging her tail enthusiastically, and I saw her owner emerging from the shop. Jess is a 4-year-old labrador bitch, and has recently had five lovely puppies. She lives in the country and comes down to London with her owner who works here. She definitely has that country girl freshness about her. Her coat is so amazingly shiny that, even on that dull, rainy day, it had a glow of polished ebony. She was very well behaved and sat down for treats with her intelligent and sweet face staring at me with almost questioningly, as if to say "Do you have any more?".

Her owner tells me that her favourite pastime is chasing rabbits and pheasants across the fields. This, of course, is not surprising, as labradors are a quintessential hunting breed, originally bred to retrieve waterfowl for gun. They have a thick coat and sturdy physique, well suited to swimming in cold water. Labs, as they are also known, are one of most popular breeds in the UK. Intelligent and energetic, with that characteristic happy-go-lucky attitude, they make fabulous pets but need a lot of exercise, as they are a working dog and, without the stimulation and challenge, they get bored and unhappy.

Jess gave me a spring in my step, as I walked away to the hustle and bustle of the office. Come back Jess - we love you in More London Place!

To meet other London labs please visit Bria and a guide dog - Lucy.

The Britpop Dog

2007-06-18T20:24:00.000Z

I met Jarvis in Islington's Farmer's Market on Sunday.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to go inside the market, as, with all the meat on display, I fear the temptation would be too much to resist.

Thus, I dog-sat Jarvis for a few minutes while his owner nipped out to get some eggs. Jarvis wasn't too happy and kept turning his friendly face, looking out for his owner, so I decided to sweeten the waiting time with some treats. He was very well behaved but wolfed down the treats and turned on a charm offensive, looking at me pleadingly with his beautiful hazel brown eyes. All that, however, was forgotten, when his owner returned, and Jarvis looked at her with such an expression of unbridled love that his whole face lit up instantly. Just look at his expression on this photo - this dog's heart belongs to mummy!

As I looked at him, I was trying to work out what breed could he possibly be, as he seemed to have the coat, markings and the nimble body of a Border Collie combined with the cheerful face of a Cocker Spaniel. His owner arrived just in time to explain that Jarvis was, in fact, a perfect mixture of the two, in more ways then one. He takes the love of chasing and intelligence from a Collie but enthusiasm and affection from his spaniel side, bypassing the less convenient characteristics of both, like the herding instinct of collies and the mad rapturousness of spaniels.

Jarvis was named after Jarvis Cocker, the lead singer of the Britpop band Pulp, which is the perfect name for a mix of two iconic British breeds, and, of course, a nice play on the name of the Cocker spaniel. I must say that he may have none of Jarvis Cocker's trademark gloom about him, but clearly knows how to work the crowd. He is such a friendly dog and almost invites attention with his smiling face. Several people stopped to give him a pat on the head while we were chatting.

It was a pleasure to meet Jarvis. He made a sunny day even brighter with his wonderful personality.

To meet other London spaniels and find out more about the breed, see Poppy, Max and Connor, the Met Police sniffer dogs, and Monkey, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

To find out more about Border Collies, see Jess.

Pugalicious!

2007-06-15T20:25:00.001Z

Let me introduce you to a little pug called Sidney, officially the cutest puppy in London. I met Sidney on my way to work one morning and, as I saw him trotting along the pavement, looking absolutely tiny, I immediately approached his owner for a chat. He is only 14 weeks old but his plucky personality already shines through. His adorable little face bears a constant expression of inquisitiveness. Being still a toddler in dog terms, Sidney has a lot to learn and he takes to his task with a admirable gusto. He first sniffed at my feet, then jumped up, then, when I kneeled down he took to gently trying his baby teeth on my hands. He is such a little bundle of joy, that I could not help but pick him up and give him a cuddle and kiss.

It seems that he was born with the outgoing personality of an intrepid explorer. His owner tells me that, when it came to choosing a pup, she wanted a pug bitch, but once she arrived to see the pups, Sidney climbed out of the dog bed and bounded over towards her. No wonder that, once the owner saw Sidney's loveable face, she fell for him head over heels and he was pronounced 'the one'.

Apparently, Sidney is always on the go, exploring the world for a whole day, so, by early evening, he suddenly drops off to sleep on the sofa.

Sidney is such a little charmer that I found it difficult to leave him and go to work. As I live in the neighbourhood, I am hoping to see much more of Sidney, and see him grow from a cute pup into a fabulous dog!

To find out more about Pugs meet Darcy and Oscar - a pair of Islington pugs.

To see a new hybrid breed of a beagle and a pug see Barney the Puggle.

The Samurai Prince

2007-06-03T20:36:00.001Z

Meet Blade, a 2-year-old Japanese Akita. He is such a strikingly beautiful dog that, when I spotted him running around a park near King's Cross, I immediately decided to introduce myself.

Despite his formidable looks and an impressive size (similar to an Alsatian but bulkier), Blade is extremely friendly, with his big, fluffy, bear-like face and kind, intelligent eyes. Large and muscular, beautifully proportioned, with the characteristic red fawn and black coat with spots of white, he is a truly fine example of his breed. Blade's owner clearly adores him and, in return, he is fabulously well behaved, responding immediately to her commands and, when offered a treat, extending his paw and sitting down nicely. The owner also tells me that Blade is great with children: patient, loving and affectionate and he even lets the little ones ride him like a horse!

The owners had air conditioning installed in their living room to help Blade keep cool, as his thick coat can be a bit much in the summer. He is clearly loved and pampered dog, his good manners, gentle character and wonderfully good looks being a testimony of their dedication to him.

Akitas are an ancient Japanese breed, originally bred for hunting, later briefly for dog fighting. Their temperament has changed over centuries and Akitas are now mostly very calm and laid-back in character. Akitas do have a stubborn streak in them, so they need a firm and patient owner but, providing they have the right upbringing, they make great family pets, just like Blade.

To find out more about Akitas, and to help re-home Akita in need please visit The Akita Rescue

The Cheeky Monkey

2007-06-01T22:24:00.001Z

Meet Monkey, a fabulous King Charles Cavalier. I met Monkey today in Borough Market. I spotted him straight away as he was such a lively and vivacious dog.

Monkey is one and a half years old and he still has that fresh and happy air of a puppy about him. When I approached him, he seemed rather unhappy, whimpering gently with his big, brown eyes full of sadness. Monkey is the most friendly and sociable dog you can imagine, so when one of his pack leaves, he gets a bit upset. It turned out that the owner's friend has just gone away to get some coffee and Monkey, the soppy lad that he is, was missing him! I immediately offered some dog therapy by a way of treats but our sad Monkey wasn't at all interested. This photo, shows him, looking out, with a longing expression on his cute face. It was amazing to see what a friend's return does for a dog. Monkey was so happy that he kept jumping up and wagging his silky tail, utterly transformed.

Monkey is the friendliest of dogs, an absolute darling. He has one weakness though - cheese. He is not allowed it though, so he gets it by sneaking and making sure that no one is looking when he is at it. He has a companion, his best friend, who is another King Charles Cavalier, whom he adores.

It was such a pleasure to meet Monkey - he is such a charming and loving dog.

The King Charles Cavalier is an interesting breed. They are a toy breed off-shoot from spaniels, one of the oldest English hunting breeds. They were named after Charles II who, legend has it, had a fabulous head of hair, soft as spaniel's ear. They come in three varieties, Blenheim, tricolour, and ruby, which is the rarest and, incidentally, our Monkey's colour. They even feature in a famous Van Dyck's painting, The Three Oldest Children of Charles I. Cavaliers are extremely affectionate, loving and dedicated to their owners, so do not like being left alone, just like Monkey!

To find out more about Cavaliers, visit The King Charles Cavalier Club

Rusty? Not a bit of it

2007-05-29T20:49:00.000Z

Meet Rusty. I have been seeing Rusty in the neighbourhood for a while now. Dapper in his raincoat, with an inquisitive little face, Rusty is a real character. He is not afraid to speak his mind either. The very first time my Dachshund Kevin decided to open his perfectly shaped muzzle to indulge in a bit of doggie argie-bargie, Rusty did not hold back and barked back feistily. I must say that, for once, Kevin was lost for words.

Rusty gets his unusual looks from his Cairn and West Highland Terrier parents. The bat-like ears and greyish black rough coat come from the Cairn Terrier, whilst his stocky, compact body and white socks and tie are the markings of a West Highland Terrier.

It's hard to believe, but Rusty is 7 years of age. He may be Rusty by name but definitely not by nature. He is so lively and full of beans that you would be justified in thinking that he was a puppy.

Despite jumping up to me to say hello, he refused the treat (unheard of!) and kept on barking excitedly. I only managed to get one photo of him with his mouth closed and, fortunately, it was a good one. Just look at these ears and his sparkling intelligent black eyes! He is a lad with attitude, that's for sure!

The Cairn terrier is an old Scottish breed from the Isle of Skye. The name comes from a Scottish word 'cairn', meaning rock. Cairns are lively, intelligent and strong-willed, so need a consistent and firm owner. Interestingly, Toto, the little dog from The Wizard of Oz was a Cairn terrier.

To find out more about Cairns visit the The Cairn Terrier Club.

To meet a West Highland Terrier see Poppy.

Heidi-Hi!

2007-05-27T21:51:00.000Z

This is Heidi. This minuscule lady is a miniature long-haired Dachshund and she immediately got my attention, as I am also a Dachshund owner. In fact, Kevin, my Dachshund and the original London Dog, is the co-editor of this blog.

Heidi's owner told me that she was fast asleep and had to be woken up for her afternoon walk, and you could tell that at the tender age of 13, Heidi likes her sleep. Trotting daintily in the afternoon sun, with her russet-coloured coat gleaming, she was standing with her eyes half closed basking in the sun rays. She cheered up once we started stroking her. First, she let me pet her and then she trotted over to my husband so he could benefit from the very special Dachshund therapy. Dachshunds, you see, always make sure to get the maximum attention from all available sources. She also likes playing with her teddies and being cuddled, just like Kevin!

She did not want to have her photo taken, so I had to bribe her with a treat. Even after that, Heidi kept turning away her cute little face. I managed to snap her in the end, sitting in her owner's arms, with her eyes half closed, trying to keep out the sun.

Heidi moved to London all the way from Middlesborough and it seems that she settled in just fine. After we said goodbye to her, we watched her owner take her to a little green across the road. As she waited patiently on the side of the road, a car stopped especially for her and Heidi crossed the road slowly. It seems that even the famously impatient London drivers fall under Heidi's gentle spell.

It was a real pleasure to meet Heidi, as she is such a sweet-natured, affectionate dog. To meet another Dachshund and find out a bit more about them, visit Oscar.

Little Miss Fabulous

2007-04-29T19:52:00.000Z

Meet a very charming lady called Pearl. I met Pearl in Islington on sunny Friday afternoon. As I walked home from work, I saw a beautiful whippet gently trotting along in their characteristic light-footed gait. Her looks and bearing reminded me of a whippet I used to know called Erin. In fact, she bore more than a passing resemblance to her. I picked up my courage and approached the dog and her owner, asking whether it was, indeed, Erin. It turned out that it wasn't her at all, but that the owner knew Erin, and what's more, we knew each other! We met once very briefly, a few years ago, via a mutual friend, and it was then when I met Erin and took this photo of her, which, incidentally, was one of the first entries on The London Dog.

Becca, Pearl's owner, has long been a whippet enthusiast, and it all started with her looking after her friend's whippets - Bas and Erin. Eighteen months ago, she decided that it was time to get her own share of whippet delight and she got Pearl. And real Pearl she is too. Dainty and delicate, with a silky smooth coat, and the stunning physique of fine runner, Pearl is a true gem. She really wanted to make the acquaintance of my Dachshund Kevin, who, despite his angelic looks and rather dimunitive size, isn't dog friendly. Kevin was watching, boot-faced, safely tucked away in my husband's arms, as I chatted away with Becca and was stroking and petting Pearl. He kept quiet until I started feeding Pearl treats. He immediately launched into a barking tirade, whilst Pearl, a real lady, was watching the little rogue, with a look of gentle puzzlement on her aristocratic, perfectly shaped little face.

Pearl loves running around it the park, and true to her hunting pedigree, she chases pigeons and squirrels. Becca also confesses to letting Pearl sleep in bed with her, which isn't at all surprising. Surely, you wouldn't let a princess like that sleep in a dog bed!

Whippets are hunting dogs, originally bred for sighting and outrunning small prey. In looks and posture, the whippet looks like a smaller version of a greyhound and, like greyhound, is an iconic English breed. They are especially popular in the north of England. In Crufts 2004, a whippet called Deedee won the Best in Show award, to the delight of all lovers and enthusiasts of this fantastic breed. Loyal, gentle and devoted, whippets make fabulous pets.

It was such a pleasure to meet an old friend and her fabulous dog. Being a massive fan of all sighthounds, I once again swore that a greyhound or a whippet will one day join our family. And Kevin will just have to learn some manners!

To meet other London hounds see Alfie, Mac, Conan and Teasel, and of course, Erin.

To find out more about Whippets visit The Whippet Club

Best in Show

2007-04-04T18:22:00.000Z

After a long break, the London Dog returns with a Crufts report! Crufts is the biggest dog show in the world and a real treat for any dog lover. As a proud owner of a Dachshund, who belongs to the hounds group, I decided to attend Crufts on the third day, when the hounds and terriers are shown.

Crufts takes place in the enormous NEC exhibition centre in Birmingham, and the sheer scale of the event is truly mind-blowing. Not only do you get to see hundreds of dogs being judged and learn all about different breeds in the Discover Dogs section, but also you can pay your dues to Doggie Mammon, in the shape of hundreds of stalls selling canine goods.

This beautiful delicate dog is a Saluki or Persian Hound, one of the oldest breeds in the world, and featured on Egyptian hieroglyphs. Salukis were used to hunt gazelles, similarly to their English cousins, the greyhounds, who were used to hunt large prey like deer. Salukis look very much like greyhounds, with the addition of tasselled ears and tail.

I was rather taken with the fabulous Borzois, also known as Russian Wolfhounds. They are amazing looking dogs; their heads are long and beautifully shaped, crowning a lean body covered in silky, curly hair. They are also quite tall, with a slightly aloof and aristocratic look worthy of a Russian prince from a Tolstoy novel.

Basset Hounds sat patiently in their boxes with their characteristic hang-dog air about them, preferring the philosophical approach to life in which the best things come to those who wait.

My favourite, greyhounds, were lounging lazily in their boxes, mostly fast asleep, making sure that they got their beauty sleep before going into the show ring. I also managed to have a chat with extremely friendly ladies from the West of England Greyhound Rescue as they sat in a special stall surrounded by these beautiful dogs, all rescued from dog racing tracks. I must say that I left that stall with a heavy heart. It is shocking that, in this day and age, abuse of racing greyhounds goes on largely unchecked and unpunished in a country like Britain and the dogs who retire from tracks still end up killed, maimed or simply thrown out by the side of the road, left to fend for themselves. It is thanks to greyhound rescues, the donating public and the amazing people who work for these charities, that greyhounds are being cared for, rescued and given another chance.

Dachshunds were not only visible but also audible from a long distance. There was much barking and macho posturing in the Dachshund section as they were waiting to go into the ring. All Dachshund varieties were present and it was joy to see them all, especially as, sadly, the Dachshund population is declining in the UK. These two ladies were exceptionally well-behaved and chose to rest before strutting into the ring to be judged.

This stunning Afghan Hound caught my attention as he was standing nearby with his owner. When I started to take photos, he posed with a calm air of a dog who knows that he is the true star of the show. He even collapsed on the floor in a sea of silky smooth, fawn-coloured hair, staring indifferently into the distance for a dramatic effect.

So all in all, it was a wonderful trip with the chance to see lots of beautiful dogs, many of whom I have never seen in real life before. I shall be definitely be back next year.

Click here to see more Crufts photos.

Doobie-Doobie-Doo

2007-02-13T22:20:00.000Z

It was a rainy afternoon and I decided to take a break from work and nip outside for a breath of fresh air. As I walked out, I noticed Doobie straight away - dainty, graceful and playful while walking with his mistress along a little water feature in More London Place, near London Bridge.

He had such an air of joy and happiness about him that I could not help but walk up and have a chat with him and his owner.

Doobie is a Yorkshire Terrier, a popular breed, much loved in Great Britain (consistently in the top ten favourite British breeds) and around the world. Doobie's fabulous long coat, in a colour scheme that could come from the finest London hair stylist, is his great asset. As he happily greeted me with licks and kisses, his fur felt soft and smooth like silk.

Doobie is a young pup, at 6 months, but his great personality already shines through. He is effortlessly charming and confident, and apparently, in his owner's words, instantly 'makes friends with everybody'. Doobie loves children and I was to witness it as he wagged his tail enthusiastially at the sight of a group of kids passing by. His owner tells me that Doobie loves walks and, the moment he spots little ones in the park, he is off like a shot to meet and greet. He is such a loving and affectionate dog that I found it difficult to say goodbye and go back to my office!

Doobie was constantly on the go, looking around with his jet black eyes, nuzzling around in my bag, where his great sense of smell immediately detected a box of dog treats, and jumping up into my arms. He is as light as a feather, a typical characteristic of Yorkies (as they are affectionally known), which were bred in the 19th century to be light and nimble, traits necessary in their role as vermin catchers. This energy and determination still remains in this tiny breed, which now belongs to the toy category and is favoured as a lap dog rather than a working dog.

More about Yorkshire Terriers: Lincoln and Humberside Yorkshire Terrier Club

See other London terriers: Chloe, Kaiser, Jack, Dillon, Prudence, Thistle and Miss Piggy

Is it a Pug? Is it a Beagle?

2007-01-16T22:00:00.000Z

No! It's a Puggle!

This exceedingly good-looking young gentleman is called Barney. As he approached from a distance, I thought he was a Boxer but his curly tail seemed odd if that was the case. Barney's unusual looks are those of a new hybrid breed called a Puggle, a mix of a Pug and a Beagle, so I was thrilled to meet him.

Barney is a stunning dog, with a lovely friendly personality. He is still quite young, at 6 months, he is full of enthusiasm and energy and his fur is still puppy-soft. He loves walks and running around the park. In fact, he loves it so much, that he often runs away, the naughty boy!

Barney's owners told me that he is being trained to be more obedient. I am sure they will succeed as he looks like a very clever dog to me. He immediately worked out that the box in my hand contained treats, and he gave me his paw without me even asking for it. He inherited the supreme sense of smell from his Beagle ancestors so he loves food and indulges in picking scraps of food off the pavement. Mind you, it must be that pesky dog trait, as my Dachshund, Kevin, does exactly the same thing!

It was a pleasure to meet Barney. He is not only very charming but also a beautiful example of his breed. Puggles are playful and energetic like Beagles but have the relaxed and home-loving characteristics of their Pug side, which makes them an ideal pet.

Art For Dog's Sake

2007-01-05T20:28:00.000Z

I met Poppy (top) and Willy (bottom) in the Cross Street Gallery in Islington. As I opened the door, Poppy ran over immediately to say 'hello', whilst Willy looked on cautiously. Poppy, a 7-year-old West Highland Terrier, and Willy, a 13-year-old Border Terrier, are resident dogs at the gallery and come to work every day. It looks like Poppy does all the PR and Willy takes care of security!

Poppy is a friendly little lady and happily accepted my stroking her, going even as far as rolling over on her back! Willy, on the other hand, while not being unfriendly, kept his distance and let Poppy do all the talking. He stared at me with his beautiful brown eyes, shining in a his cute, teddy bear-like face.

However, once I took out the treat box, Willy lost all his cool and came rushing forward, nudging my hand. Poppy was so excited about the prospect of a couple of tasty treats that she gave me her paw without me even asking for it, which was incredibly cute.

When it came to posing, Willy stood there as pretty as a picture, while Poppy became camera shy and kept running away to hide underneath furniture. I finally manage to snap her taking refuge with her owner, looking up lovingly into his eyes.

Willy and Poppy love walks and spending the day in the gallery with their owner. And, as far as I am concerned, they are the best advertisement a gallery could have!

West Highland Terriers are an old Scottish breed, bred for hunting small game and catching vermin. Westies' (as they are affectionally known) trademark white coat made them easily distinguishable from the prey when hunting on Scottish moors, while their spirited and energetic temperament made them ideal for flushing prey for gun. Westies are a very popular and much loved breed in UK thanks to their wonderful vivacious, yet friendly and sweet, personality.

To find out more about Border Terriers see Thistle, another Border Terrier from Islington.

To find out more about Westies, visit West Highland Terrier Club of England

See other London terriers: Chloe, Kaiser, Jack, Dillon, Prudence and Miss Piggy

A Christmas Tease

2006-12-23T23:59:00.000Z

Christmas in London is magical. The streets are lit up by thousands of lights and the shops have most amazing displays of Christmas fare.

And it was in one of London's most famous, and beautifully decorated, shopping arcades that I met Teasel, the resident dog at Pickett, in Burlington Arcade. Surrounded by exquisite leather goods, cashmere scarves and jewellery, Teasel greets the customers, pretty as a picture.

Teasel is not only an able sales dog, but also a does her bit for charity, as she is the Macmillan Cancer Support chairdog. Certainly a lady of many talents!

She is a greyhound and whippet cross, with the elegant athletic body of greyhound and all the daintiness of a whippet. Moreover, although she is 13 years old, you wouldn't tell from her youthful looks.

True to her hunting pedigree, Teasel loves running around in parks and hunting. Her last prey were some sandwiches snatched from Japanese tourists in Green Park, as our lady of substance has one weakness - food. After saying hello to me today, she immediately stuck her nose into my bag and nuzzled out a box of treats! She is so adorable that I ended up giving her several!

It was a real pleasure to meet Teasel - she is a wonderful little lady and the quintessential London dog - elegant, stylish and charming.

Meet other London hounds: Alfie, Mac, Conan and Erin

A Venezuelan Love Story

2006-11-07T22:24:00.000Z

Meet Chola and Cochi. The two lovely ladies came to London all the way from the Venezuelan island of Coche. I spotted them running around happily in Regent's Park this weekend.

Their owner was holidaying on Coche when she found them as puppies abandoned in a salt mine. Their brothers and sisters were already dead but Chola and Chochi, though very weak, were still alive and she immediately decided to take them with her.

She could not take them to the UK straight away, so she left the girls with a local woman, who was also a dedicated dog lover. Having herself rescued and owned several dogs, she looked after Cochi and Chola for six months until they were ready to go to UK.

The island of Coche has no indigenous dog population, but the dogs have been brought in by Portuguese colonisers. Chola and Cochi bear an uncanny resemblance to a Podenco, a Spanish Hound, (especially Cochi, with her stunning copper coloured coat) so they may be direct descendants of the Portuguese dogs.

Chola, which means 'the darker one' in the Cochi island dialect, is more daring and immediately came along to say 'hello'. Cochi, on the other hand, decided to keep her distance, pricking her lovely big ears only when I took a treat box out of my bag. The clever little lady worked it out in a second and I soon had her eating out of my hand. The owner tells me that, although both dogs are now settled and happy, they still have a thing for food, having been short of it in the past.

She also told me that Cochi and Chola still show their wild dog instincts and Venezuelan roots by dancing around and jumping, skilfully avoiding collision, when they play with each other, which reminds her of Capoeira - a South American dance/martial art.

It was a great pleasure to meet Cochi and Chola. They were such a lovely pair and their story is that of wonderful and heartening love of animals that truly knew no boundaries.

See Winston, a Podenco Canario, I met in London.

The Southbank Jewels

2006-10-20T07:16:00.000Z

I met these two ladies in Southbank, near Tower Bridge, as they were having their lunchtime walk. They are very precious indeed - their names are Ruby (right) and Pearl (left). Ruby and Pearl are Lhasa Apsos, an ancient Tibetan breed.

I spotted them in the distance as they gracefully strolled along the riverbank, being cute and ladylike. Ruby is a very sweet and charming, and certainly loves the treats. As I fed her a couple, she jumped straight on my lap and settled in, waiting for more. She is very friendly and playful girl, jumping up and down, and investigating all little things around her.

Pearl was, in turn, a bit aloof, letting Ruby coax treats out of me and then coming around only to get her share. Cheeky little monkey!

Their owner told me that they are lovely dogs, affectionate and kind, and I can believe him. Ruby and Pearl were such a charming pair that I found it difficult to leave them and get back to work!

Lhasa Apso is an old Toy breed and comes from Lhasa, an ancient sacred Tibetan city. Lhasas were also noble dogs, and it was a privilege and honour to own one. Even the Dalai Lama was once spotted with a Lhasa in his arms. Lhasa's are lovely companion dogs - affectionate, playful and loving but wilful and independently minded, so they need a patient and consistent owner.

More about Lhasa Apso: Lhasa Apso Club in UK

The Champion Boxer

2006-10-19T07:12:00.000Z

This young gentleman is Isaac, a Boxer puppy I met last Sunday in the London doggie paradise, otherwise known as Clapham Common, one of the biggest open spaces in London.

Isaac is so full of energy that, as he bounded happily towards me, I ended up with his cute face right next to mine and his paw on my shoulder! I didn't mind at all, his enthusiasm and joie de vivre was very enchanting. He is clearly a very pampered and confident dog, constantly on the go. Apparently, his best friend is a Newfoundland puppy, and they can play together for hours.

His marvellous athletic physique and his beautiful brindle coat, with snow white socks on his paws, paired with his inquisitive yet kind face, makes him a truly stunning dog. His owners are clearly besotted with him and I am not at all surprised - he is such a charming and beautiful dog. Just look at his face on this photo - how could you refuse him anything if he looked at you like that?

The Boxer is a German breed, created in late 19th century by crossing an English Bulldog with a Bullenbeisser, a German hunting breed. Boxers are intelligent, spirited and energetic, but devoted and loving, so make wonderful companions and family pets.

More about Boxers: The Northern Boxer Club

The Canine Canary

2006-10-10T06:58:00.000Z

I met Winston on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Green Park.

It was easy to spot him as he run across the grass with his beautiful athletic silhouette and a stunning Titian-red coat gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Winston is a Podenco Canario, also known as Spanish Warren Dog. It is a rare breed in the UK, and Winston was brought to London all the way from Spain.

He was rather uninterested in me and my camera, unsurprisingly perhaps, preferring a good sniff and run around the park, to talking to complete strangers. What I did not know was that Winston absolutely loves treats and, the moment he saw the box in my hand, he turned from an aloof aristocrat into the friendliest of dogs. He gave me his paw, while looking earnestly at me with his beautiful hazel brown eyes, and quickly wolfed down three treats. His owner told me that Winston is an exceptionally quiet dog and almost never barks unless you ask him to speak, which I think may be pretty much every owner's dream!

The Podenco Canario is a Spanish hunting dog, bred to catch rabbits. Podenco is one of several breeds to come from the Pharaoh Hound, the old Egyptian breed, often featured on hieroglyphs and paintings from ancient Egypt.

See another Spanish dog, Bamba, who is a Pharaoh Hound cross.

The Upmarket Beau

2006-10-02T12:46:00.000Z

Meet Beau. Beau is a 14-week-old St Bernard puppy.

I spotted him in Borough Market while he was sitting in front of Monmouth Cafe with his owner. He was deeply asleep, and looked like a big fluffy teddy bear. Thankfully, he wasn't at all cross at being woken up to do a bit of posing. The reason for that ease in front of the camera could be that Beau is used to a lot of attention and stars on his own website, called Strictly Beau.

Beau means beautiful in French and our Beau definitely fits the bill. He is incredibly good looking chappie with bags of charm. I was rather smitten with his big fluffy paws, speckled muzzle and a slightly mournful expression, which is so typical of a St Bernard. Apparently, sleeping and drinking tea are Beau's favourite things in life. He graciously accepted a couple of doggie chocs, before retreating underneath the bench again to get some more beauty sleep.

If you want to see what Beau will look like when he's grown up, you can have a look at his Dad.

The St Bernard is an old mountain breed, originally bred in the Alps. You may know the St Bernard as the dog with a mini barrel of brandy on his neck. They were, and still are, used to search and rescue people who become lost or fall victim to snow avalanches in the mountains. Although, I am not sure if they still ply the unfortunate tourists with brandy... St Bernards are large and strong, with a calm and focussed temperament. However, they can be a bit stubborn, so need a good, disciplined upbringing.

More about St Bernards: South of England St Bernard Club

The Italian Aristocrats

2006-09-26T21:32:00.000Z

These two tiny gentlemen are Chester (left) and Piccolo (right), a pair of Italian greyhounds. I met them several weeks ago in Islington, and as none of the photos I took of them were good enough I decided not to publish this entry. Today, I browsed through the photos again and when I saw Piccolo and Chester's little faces staring at me from the screen, I realised that it wasn't the quality of the photos that mattered, but telling their story.

Chester and Piccolo were rescued from a breeder who abused and mistreated Chester so badly that he has only four teeth left. The woman was stripped of her breeder licence and banned from breeding or keeping dogs for 12 years. It is hard to comprehend why anyone would hurt a dog, especially a dog so delicate, defenceless and gentle like an Italian Greyhound.

Despite these traumatic experiences, Chester and Piccolo are both trusting and loving, and are great with children. Chester is a little bit timid, while Piccolo is more daring, especially where food is involved. He jumped up to me the moment he saw the box of treats in my hand. In fact, he seemed to want both his and Chester's share, trying to pinch as many as possible right from underneath Chester's nose. Piccolo's penchant for food may explain his, shall we say, curvier figure.

Italian Greyhound is the smallest of the sighthounds (the group includes greyhounds, whippets, etc), and belongs to the Toy category. The graceful greyhound phisique, paired with a dimunitive size, gives Italian Greyhounds the unusual and exquisite look of a porcelain figurine. They are affectionate, loving and playful, so make wonderful companions.

More about Italian Greyhound: The Italian Greyhound Club

See another greyhound from Islington, called Alfie

Putting your best paw forward!

2006-09-18T20:45:00.000Z

Crufts' little brother, Scruffs, also known as the Islington Dog Show, took place this Sunday in Islington's Barnard Park.

I went to nose around and see what the Islington mutts were up to on this sunny Sunday afternoon.

Here is Molly, a Jack Russell Terrier and Border Collie cross who loves her ball so much that her owner used it as a reward in the agility course. In fact, she loves her ball more than her food, which is highly unusual for a dog. Molly is a beautiful girl, who came to London all the way from Ireland. She is alert and full of beans like a terrier, yet some of the Collie coyness and delicate charm shines through.

This is Chloe, an English Toy Terrier and an old friend from Thornhill Square. She's grown a little since I met her few months ago, but lost nothing of her charming enthusiasm. Here, she thoroughly ignores my camera, in favour of a stick. Still, makes a great photo!

Chloe's friend Charlie was saying 'hello' to Bentley the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Bentley is the one with the pretty amber- and white-coloured coat, and the unusual green-brown eyes. I must admit that, seconds after this amicable looking photo was taken, the lads indulged in a bit of barking at each other and had to be spoken to by their owners. Naughty!

This is Rebel, a Shar-Pei puppy. Rebel was a star of the show, winning the Tail Wagging competition. His unusual wrinkly looks are typical of a Shar-Pei, an ancient Chinese breed. Rebel is just recovering from a skin disease, to which Shar-Peis are prone. Judging by his happy face and constantly wagging tail, he is doing very well and let's hope he recovers fully soon.

This lovely little lady is Tigger, a young Lurcher bitch. Her unusual looks come from her parents - a Whippet and a Bedlington Terrier. Tigger, true to her whippet pedigree, caused some confusion when she decided to leave the competition ring in the middle of the agility challenge and have a run around the outside of the ring instead! She is a delightful little dog - happy, playful and charming. I was thrilled to meet Tigger, as I previously met her when she was still a puppy and it was a pleasure to see how she's grown up to be a little beauty. Tigger is friends with another lurcher from Islington called Conan.

Maddy, a 7-year-old King Charles Spaniel was very placid, watching the show from a distance, with a dignified calm true to the royal origins of the breed. Her beautifully groomed coat shone in the sun as she observed her less refined canine cousins running around and barking a lot!

It was a great day out for both the mutts and the owners!

Pug and Prejudice

2006-09-16T23:28:00.000Z

These two gentlement are Oscar and Darcy, who are both Pugs.

Oscar is the fawn coloured one, while Darcy is the moody looking black one in the distance.

I bumped into Oscar and Darcy in Islington last night, on my way home. Apparently Oscar is a bit of ladies' man and loves female company. He was very charming, with his cute wrinkled face nudging my hands asking to stroke him. This, however, did not extend to sitting down for his treats. Whilst he displayed a great fondness for them, he refused to sit and when I repeated the command he looked at me quizzically as if to say 'Sitting, my dear? I don't do sitting.' Neither did Darcy. He was suitably dark and brooding, like his namesake, Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and he kept his distance. He sniffed a treat I was trying to coax him with, and turned his back on me, showing his perfectly curled tail.

Their owner tells me that Darcy and Oscar are very loving and happy dogs, great with children but very much their own dogs.

Pug is an ancient Chinese toy breed, first mentioned as early as 960 AD. Legend has it that pugs were imperial dogs and could be owned only by the Emperor and his closest circle. Pugs were first introduced to Europe in the 16th century by the Dutch, who were trading with China at the time.

Their royal origins may be the reason why Pugs carry themselves with a great dignity, despite their dimunitive size and cute looks. Pugs are gentle, loving, constant and playful, so make fabulous pets and companions.

More about Pugs: The Pug Dog Club

A Spicy Sausage

2006-09-12T21:22:00.000Z

I was absolutely thrilled to meet Otto last Friday in London's Borough market. The reason why? Otto is a Dachshund, just like my dog Kevin. The only difference is that whilst Kevin is a smooth coat one, Otto is a wirehaired miniature Dachshund. Dachshunds are also affectionally known as sausage dogs, for obvious reasons.

Like every Dachshund, Otto is very charming and very friendly, with a smiling face and a inquisitive, yet slightly mischievous, attitude. His owner told me that Otto loves coming to the market, as he adores the plethora of smells and sounds.

As I chatted to Otto's owner, it became clear that, although Dachshunds have a unique personality among other dog breeds, they share many traits and characteristics that make them so loveable.

Otto loves cheese, roast chicken and lying in bed, preferably under the duvet, where he likes to get as hot as possible. Also, every time he does something naughty, he blags out of it with 'butter wouldn't melt' innocent looks! Amazingly, so does Kevin, my Dachshund.

Dachshunds are German hunting dogs, originally bred to track, flush and hunt badgers. They come in three main varieties: wirehaired, smooth coat and long-haired. In addition, there are several colour combinations, such as red, black and tan, and salt and pepper, and two sizes - standard and miniature.

Dachshunds are highly intelligent, lively and corageous, despite their size. In fact, due to the way they carry themselves and from the deep bark coming from their barrel-shaped chest, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were dealing with an Alsatian!

They are lovely dogs and have had a big celebrity following through the ages. Napoleon, Queen Victoria, the writer PG Wodehouse, and even Picasso were all Dachshund lovers. Artist David Hockney, a very avid Dachshund fan, dedicated one of his books to his dogs, Stanley and Boodgie. Dachshund are very special dogs and, once you have been bitten by the Dachshund bug, you will remain loyal to the breed for the rest of your life.

More about Dachshunds: Dachshund Club of UK

And a little plug for my dog: Kevin The Dachshund

Pining for the fjords

2006-09-07T20:38:00.000Z

Meet Homer, a 5-year-old Gordon Setter.

Homer is a very handsome dog, with his silky shiny black-and-tan coat and noble looks. He wasn't too keen to pose, as he was really excited about going to the nearby park for his evening walk, but a couple of treats proved to be just the right kind of encouragement. After a couple of minutes, however, Homer bossily pulled on the lead and indicated that standing around and chatting when a serious hunting dog wanted to have a good old run around the park was not on.

Homer's owner told me that, like all setters, Homer loves long walks, preferably in the woods. As there aren't many woods around London (Hampstead Heath being the closest one gets in London), Homer's owners often go to Norway, where he has an ample opportunity to roam freely among beautiful unspoiled nature. Now, that's what I call going the extra mile for your dog!

The Gordon Setter is an old Scottish breed used to flush for gun and retrieve game. Once popular, Gordons have been recently listed by the Kennel Club as being at risk of extinction. It is a shame as they are wonderful dogs, quick to learn, hard-working and loving towards family and children.

More about Gordon Setter: The British Gordon Setter Club

The Importance of Being Prudence

2006-09-03T18:18:00.000Z

As I approached the entrance of Islington's Farmer's Market this morning, I was greeted by an unusual sight. A tiny terrier, pretty as a picture, was seated in a baby pushchair, staring intently into the market entrance gate. This little lady is called Prudence and she is a 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier.

It turned out that Prudence, or Prue for short, was waiting outside the market gate for the rest of the family (owner's wife and baby daughter) to return from their weekly shop at the market, where dogs are not allowed. Prue was not to be distracted from her mission and, with a determination and single-mindedness so typical of Jack Russells and terriers in general, thoroughly ignored my camera and scorned my offer of a treat. Nothing would make her look away from the gate where her mistress and the baby would be coming from. It was heartening to see Prue to be so dedicated and loyal to her family. Her owner told me that Prue loves children and gets on fabulously with their baby daughter. You can certainly tell from this photo!

She is also very used to having her photos taken as her owners are both photographers and run an art gallery near Arsenal, where Prue spends most of her days.

In fact, Prue is so popular that she has her own My Space site, where you can see her play football!

Prue is such a lovely example of a Jack Russell, a through and through British breed, known for its fierce loyalty, bags of energy and plucky personality. Perhaps the most famous British Jack Russell of the moment is Chalky, the trusty canine sidekick of the TV Chef, Rick Stein.

To meet another Jack Russell, see Dillon.

More about Jack Russell: Jack Russell Club of Great Britain

A not-so-prickly Thistle

2006-08-31T20:49:00.000Z

Meet Thistle. She is a 9-year-old Border Terrier. Her very unusual name has been inspired by the Scottish origins of the breed, thistle being the symbol of Scotland. I met her today in Islington, as she was walking with her owner.

Thistle was placid and relaxed as she happily accepted several treats from me. In fact, for a moment she seemed a little too calm and collected for a terrier, as they are known as a gutsy and determined dogs. She was very charming, with great manners as she sat down nicely to get a treat, and a friendly little face.

Thistle's serenity ended in front of my very eyes as Tigger, Richmond Avenue's resident cat, appeared from around a corner. She cheekily paraded in front of Thistle, who, true to her terrier character, uttered a shrill bark. Fortunately, Tigger decided to take refuge underneath a nearby car, so the high-noon style confrontation was averted, while Thistle looked on with a great deal of concern and determination on her little face, as you can see on the photo above.

Border Terriers are a working and hunting breed, originally bred for flushing out foxes and catching vermin. They first appeared in the 19th century in the Scottish Borders area, hence the name. Like all terriers, they are very intelligent, alert and independently minded dogs. They are also very affectionate, adaptable and relatively easy-going, so make a great pet, both in the country and in town.

See other London terriers: Chloe, Kaiser, Jack, Dillon and Miss Piggy

More about Border Terrier: The Border Terrier Club of Great Britain

A Fine Bordeaux

2006-08-24T21:28:00.000Z

Meet Oscar. He is an 8-month-old Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as a French Mastiff.

I met him today on my way back from work and he immediately caught my eye from across the road, thanks to his formidable size and striking copper-coloured coat gleaming in the sun. He is a stunning dog, with beautiful green eyes and a wonderfully athletic phisique.

His owner told me that Oscar can be very stubborn, and I was to experience that. He steadfastly refused to pose and, each time I tried to catch him facing me, he'd turn his magnificent head or, as you can see on the bottom picture, stick his tongue out. In the end, I managed to take a couple of photos that show what a beautiful dog he is.

Oscar was rather timid and shy, which was very endearing and showed that, despite his majestic looks, he is still a puppy, just a very large one!

Dogue de Bordeaux is an ancient French breed. Some believe its lineage can be traced back to the medieval Alaunt breed, which was used for hunting, herding, guarding and bear- and bull-baiting. Dogues are a calm and collected breed, with a strong sense of self, so they need a firm and patient owner.

More about Dogue de Bordeaux: Dogue de Bordeaux Club of Great Britain

Puppy Love

2006-08-20T17:04:00.000Z

Meet Conan - not the Barbarian warrior played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film of the same name, but a 5-month-old lurcher from Islington.

Conan is adorable and bouncingly happy, like all puppies, yet he already betrays that delicate and languid lurcher charm.

For such a young dog, he showed great manners, and the moment he saw a treat in my hand he dutifully extended his slender paw to me as if to say: "I know that game. Here's my paw, now you give me that treat."

He was to get several more, as I was completely won over by his fabulously good looks and great personality.

His owner told me that, like all puppies, Conan loves food, walks and chewing things; a TV remote control and a couple of credit cards being his latest victims. One cannot help thinking that "less telly and shopping, more walks" could have been Conan's inspiration for this act of destruction. I strongly suspect that Conan was quickly forgiven for his chewing crimes, as he is so impossibly cute and charming.

To read more about lurchers and greyhounds, please see another lurcher, called MacPherson, and a greyhound called Alfie.

The Urban Sheepdog

2006-08-19T22:07:00.000Z

This is Jess. She is an 11-year-old Border Collie I met today in Thornhill Square in Islington.

Jess wasn't too keen on posing at first. As she circled around me with the typical gait of a Border Collie, I could not help but feel that I was being herded, which is not surprising as Collies are sheep dogs with a strong herding instinct. I decided that one way I could persuade her to strike a pose was to use the secret weapon - the treat. Jess decided that it was worth it, and sat down just for long enough for me to take a couple of photos.

Jess is a lovely, charmingly coy girl whose timidity and gentleness is incredibly endearing. She trotted around me, nudging for a treat but shied away from camera. I could not get her to pose looking straight at the camera for love or money (or treats), so you are here treated to Jess's beautiful profile.

Border Collies are an old British herding breed made famous by the Hollywood film Babe, which is about a sheep herding piglet whose adoptive mother was Fly, a Border Collie. They are extremely intelligent, energetic and have an instinctive desire to work. You will often see Collies in agility, herding and obedience trials. They need a lot of exercise and attention, otherwise they become bored and unhappy.

More about Border Collies: Border Collie Trust of Great Britain

Working Girl

2006-08-14T20:08:00.000Z

I meet Lucy in the crowded London Bridge tube station on Friday. As people were rushing to start the weekend, Lucy sat unfazed and completely indifferent to the crowds buzzing around her. Most dogs don't like to be in a crowd and will turn to their owner for guidance and protection. This time it is the other way around. Lucy has a job to do, and an important one, so she remains focussed and calm at all times. She is a guide dog to Christina, who is visually impaired and needs Lucy to help her in every day life.

Lucy is a 5-year-old labrador retriever. She is a beautiful girl, with a friendly face and kind and thoughtful eyes. She is an experienced guide dog and has been with Christina for 3 years now. She loves long walks and Schmackos dog treats. I tested the latter, and I can confirm that she indeed is a great fan of them. She wolfed down three Schmackos while staring at me intently, although she was looking at Christina out of the corner of her eye to make sure that her owner was OK.

Lucy shares her name, breed and job with probably the most famous guide dog in the UK. Lucy, a black Labrador, was the guide dog to the former Home Secretary David Blunkett and featured in the media quite a lot, whilst on duty with her owner.

Labradors are very intelligent and eager to please, which makes them ideal for training as a guide dog. Guide Dogs For The Blind Association is an organisation that trains puppies to become guide dogs. It takes around 18 months to train a puppy, and another several months training with the future owner to make sure that the dog and the owner can communicate effectively. They work for about 7 years before retiring and being replaced with a newly trained dog. This means that a lot of new dogs need to be trained up every year. You can help by sponsoring a puppy at GDBA.

Special thanks to Christina for chatting to me and letting me take photos of Lucy. I only spoke to Christina as I saw her waiting with Lucy seated by her legs. Never talk or offer food to a guide dog who is working. They have a job to do and should not be distracted, no matter how cute they look.

See Bria, a Labrador Retriever I met in Hyde Park Corner.

More about Labradors Retrievers: Midland Counties Labrador Retriever Club

Move over Tinkerbell...

2006-08-06T20:46:00.000Z

These two gentlemen are Mika (left), and Dr Dre (right). I met them today in Islington's Farmers' Market.

Mika and Dr Dre are Chihuahuas, a Toy breed made famous by Paris Hilton, the celebrity tartlet who owned a Chihahua called Tinkerbell.

These two fellows, however, could not be further from Tinkerbell, in her doggie couture dresses.

Mika and Dr Dre are two boisterous lads with attitude. In fact, as I was taking this photo, they were busy barking at Miss Piggy. Luckily, Miss Piggy, the sweet-natured Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is the market's regular, didn't pay much attention to the pair of little troublemakers.
They succeeded in getting a lot of attention, with the shoppers stopping by to have a look at the two barking cuties. They know how to do their own PR, that's for sure!

Chihuahuas are an ancient breed, but they first appeared in the form we know them now in Mexico in 1850s in the state of Chihuahua (hence the name). They are a smallest Toy breed in the world and come in two types - short- and long-haired. They are lively and intelligent, as well as deeply and constantly affectionate, so they make wonderful pets.

More about Chihuahuas: The British Chihuahua Club

The Two-Penny Princess

2006-08-06T17:01:00.000Z

This is Tuppence, a 2 year old Miniature Pinscher.

One word sprang to my mind when I saw her - adorable!

Tuppence is so pretty and delicate that one feels a bit clumsy and lumbering when stroking her. She's a playful and happy little dog, with a stunning copper coloured coat and a cute brown nose. Miniature Pinschers are mostly black and tan, so Tuppence is a rare and special little madam.

Her owner tells me that Tuppence is the baby of the family and loves cuddles. I am sure she is getting plenty of those - I was very tempted to cuddle her myself!

She made me think about Chloe - the English Toy Terrier who lives in the neighbourhood.

Miniature Pinschers are a German breed, originally bred to catch rats and mice. That means that, despite being classified as Toy breed, they are actually more like terriers in their character - alert, inquisitive and high spirited.

More about Miniature Pinscher: Miniature Pinscher Club of Great Britain

What's it all about, Alfie?

2006-08-04T21:27:00.000Z

Meet my favourite dog. My second favourite dog, to be exact, after my dachshund Kevin.

He's sleek, blonde, stylish and a true Londoner, just like his namesake in the film Alfie with Michael Caine, a cult classic from the Sixties.

Alfie is a greyhound, and a beautiful one too. He never raced and has been with his owner since he was bought from a man in the street six years ago as a little puppy. He lives in my neighbourhood and I am always on the lookout for him when I pass his house, as it is such a pleasure to meet him.

He has that lovely gentle, yet a little cheeky, personality that makes him very special. Note his beautiful eyes - thoughtful and kind but with a sparkle of mischief.

Alfie is so charming that everybody in the neighbourhood knows him and stops to say hello when he is waiting for his owner outside the supermarket, or when he is having his daily run around the park.

The sad news is that Alfie is leaving Islington in a couple of weeks. His owner is moving out and Alfie will go with him. I will miss Alfie very much but I know that he is such a wonderful dog that he'll do well wherever he goes. Good luck, Alfie!

Please see MacPherson, a lovely lurcher, also from Islington.

To support Greyhound Rescue or re-home a greyhound click on the names to go to the web page:

Tia Greyhound Rescue

Greyhounds In Need

Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue

Greyhound Rescues Directory

Greyhound Rescue Wales

The Office Junior

2006-08-01T21:39:00.000Z

I met Dillon in Green Park during his lunch break. Yes, a lunch break, as Dillon is a working dog. He comes to the office every day with his owner. Actually, he rides on the back of a scooter. A dog doesn't get any more cosmopolitan than that! The only difference is that, as we eat our sandwiches, Dillon does a bit of squirrel chasing in the park.

Dillon is an 11-year-old rough coat Jack Russell terrier. He is a plucky little lad, with a charming and expressive face. Jack Russells are known for their capacity for learning fast and Dillon was no exception. It took him seconds to work out that sitting down and posing nicely meant getting treats. He wolfed down a couple before settling down to look all cute and smart. It was a pleasure to meet Dillon and, as I walked away, I thought that it would be great if he could be in my office too!

The Jack Russell is one of the most popular breeds in the UK. The Jack Russell face, with its characteristic patch of colour on the eye, and a neat little posture, is integral part of the image of Britain, as seen here on this Edwardian painting by Arthur Wardle. Bred for hunting, Jack Russells are highly intelligent, determined, bold and energetic, which means that they need a lot of exercise and attention.

More about Jack Russell: Jack Russell Club of Great Britain

Jack The Bell Boy

2006-07-23T21:49:00.000Z

This is Jack. He is a two-year-old Scottish Terrier (also known as a Scottie) who is always at the door of a hotel near King's Cross station.

Jack is a an exceptionally good-looking little fellow, with a laid-back attitude. He likes to sit outside the hotel run by his owners and greet the guests. He gets a lot of attention, which he accepts with a regal air of a dog who knows his worth. He carefully examined three different treats I offered him and turned down all of them.

Jack's owner tells me that Jack is the best advert for the hotel. In fact, he is mentioned in the hotel reviews, and he even gets letters and postcards from the smitten guests long after they've left!

He recently had a haircut, which revealed the sturdy and shapely silhouette so typical of Scotties, along with the lovely trimmings of his jet-black coat framing his face. Jack posed skilfully, completely at ease with the camera, knowing which was his best side. He is a very pretty dog, with a great personality, and is a great asset to a recently regenerated King's Cross area.

Scotties are an inquisitive and determined breed, and full of energy, as they were bred to catch mice and rats. They make fabulous pets and companions, so they are a popular and much loved breed. Even George Bush has a Scottie called Barney. Let's just say that is one of his few reedeming features!

More about Scotties: North of England Scottish Terrier Club

All That Jazz

2006-07-20T19:57:00.000Z

Meet Jazz. She is a 7-year-old French Briard I met in Green Park on a hot Tuesday evening.

Jazz is a beautiful and friendly girl who loved the attention, and was very happy to accept a couple of treats as a reward for posing. She was a real charmer too. On this photo, she is just about to tilt her head in a cute way. Apparently, she is not fond of squirrels and asking her 'Where is the squirrel?' gets Jazz to pose nicely. It certainly worked here!

Briards are a very old French breed, used in herding sheep. They are extremely intelligent and likely to please so respond very well to training. They are very charming and have a mind of their own, so need strong leadership. Thanks to their great hearing and intelligence, they were used during World War I as Red Cross dogs and ammunition carriers. Briards were first introduced in UK only in 1969 so they still remain a fairly rare breed.

More about Briards: The British Briard Club

Mac The Dog

2006-07-16T21:53:00.000Z

Meet a very special dog. His name is MacPherson (Mac for short), and he is an 11-year-old lurcher I met in Islington this Sunday.

I was thrilled to meet MacPherson for several reasons. First of all because lurchers and greyhounds are my favourite breeds. Secondly, because Mac is an ex-racer, and his story is one of immense suffering and abuse, with, fortunately, a happy ending. Lastly, he is a beautiful dog with a lot of personality and charm.

MacPherson was adopted from a dog rescue in Ireland. His owners made an appointment with the rescue a day before visiting and were told that there were three lurchers up for adoption. On the night before their visit, however, the dog home was broken into and the thieves stole two of the lurchers. The one they left was Mac. He had hardly any hair left on his flea bitten coat, only one eye and a sore paw. All of it the result of long-term abuse before he ended up in the rescue. Mac's owners took one look at him and knew he was the one. They nursed him back to health and, five years on, Mac is in a fantastic shape, with his paw healed and his coat smooth and silky – a scar where his left eye used to be being the only reminder of his harrowing experience.

Mac's plight is, unfortunately, that of many greyhounds across the UK.

Greyhounds and lurchers are sight-hounds bred for outrunning the prey during a hunt. They are also used in sports racing, as they can achieve speeds up to 45 mph and are the fastest dog breed in the world.

Unfortunately, the world of greyhound racing has a dark side. Animal Aid - an organisation dedicated to animal welfare reports:
About 25,000 greyhound puppies are registered every year in the British Isles. The number bred is substantially more, but thousands of young dogs are killed because they fail to make the grade as racers. Annually, at least 10,000 greyhounds are 'retired' from racing at an average age of just two and a half, due to injury or because they are considered no longer good enough to race. The fate of only 20% of these animals is recorded. The other 80% effectively vanish. The greyhound racing industry itself admits that 500-1,000 retired greyhounds are killed every year but the true figure is, sadly, far higher. Unwanted greyhounds are frequently drowned, poisoned or shot. Others have been found abandoned with their ears cut off to prevent them being identified by their tattoo. Very few are rehomed to adoptive families. [Source: Animal Aid]

The British Greyhound Racing Association has acknowledged this situation is unacceptable and is working in association with the Dogs Trust to improve it. It has also pledged money and support towards re-homing retired greyhounds.

Mac was lucky enough to be adopted by a pair of lovely, caring people who gave him the love and attention that greyhounds need. Contrary to popular opinion, greyhounds do not need lot of exercise. Mac's owners tell me that he is actually a bit of a couch potato. Greyhounds are gentle, loving and benevolent dogs, with a unique graceful physique that makes them so special.

So, special thanks to Mac's owners for letting me take photos of him and telling me his story. Big thanks also to MacPherson, who posed patiently, although he was tired after a long walk and wanted to get home and lie on his sofa!

Support Greyhound Rescue or re-home a greyhound (click on the names to go to the web page):

Tia Greyhound Rescue

Greyhounds In Need

Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue

Greyhound Rescues Directory

Greyhound Rescue Wales

A dog who lunches

2006-07-15T23:05:00.000Z

I met Rio today in Old Compton Street in Soho. He was sprawled on the floor next to his owner, who was having a lunch with a friend.

Rio is a cheerful and friendly 18-month-old old beagle with a beautiful white and strawberry blond coat. He looks pampered and groomed like a typical Soho dog who lunches. Note his beautiful amber eyes. In fact, I was so mesmerised by them that, in no time, I was feeding Rio dog treats!

His owner told me that Rio, true to his hunting pedigree, scavenges like mad and runs away during walks. He is such a charmer, however, that he is quickly forgiven!

See another Beagle, from North London, who is a lady of leisure: Liffey

More about Beagles: The Beagle Club

A safe pair of paws

2006-07-07T19:58:00.000Z

Meet Connor. He is a two-and-a-half-year-old springer spaniel who works for Metropolitan Police Dog Unit as an explosives sniffer dog. He works with Max and Poppy (click on their names to see them), whom I met in Green Park few weeks ago.

It was the first anniversary of 7/7 London bombings today, and Connor was on duty at King's Cross station this morning, making sure that Londoners were safe on their journey to work.

Here, Connor is taking a well-deserved break from work. By a way of saying thank you for his hard work, I gave Connor three dog treats, which he wolfed down like any dog would. He wouldn't say no to another one, but he had to go back to work so, with regret, we parted.

Connor was very friendly, with kind brown eyes, lovely speckled paws and that bubbly and inquisitive spaniel personality.

I certainly felt reassued by Connor's presence at the station this morning. He is among the very special London dogs, along with Max, Poppy and all the other Met Police dogs who are working for safer London.

Special thanks to Connor's handler, who kind enough to let me take photos of his dog.

More about Springer Spaniels: English Springer Spaniel Club in UK

The Country Gentleman

2006-07-04T20:31:00.000Z

I met Shikhar in Green Park. It was a stiflingly hot day and Shikhar was taking a bit of a dip in the park's fountain.

He is a Weimaraner, just like Blue (click on Blue's name to see him and read about Weimaraners), who I met just a few weeks ago. The only diference between the two dogs is that Shikhar is a long-haired Weimaraner, which are even rarer than short haired ones.

Shikhar is a stunning dog with strikingly blue eyes and a beautiful cappuccino-coloured silky coat.

He is only a part-time London dog, as he normally lives in the country and comes down to London twice a week with his owner.

Despite the unforgiving London heat, Shikhar was in high spirits, running around happily and taking occasional sips of fountain water, his tongue hanging out being the only evidence of the hot weather.

He was very well behaved, like a real gentleman, and graciously accepted a dog treat from me.

More about Weimaraners: Weimaraner Club of Great Britain

The Little English Princess

2006-06-23T22:15:00.000Z

I met Chloe in Thornhill Square, in Islington.

She is a 5-month-old English Toy Terrier, which is quite a rare breed, so it was a real treat to see her!

As you can see from the badge on her harness, Chloe is a keen England supporter! She is a delightful little dog - graceful, neat and playful. She is very inquisitive, focussed and full of beans, like all terriers, yet she has beautifully sleek features of a Miniature Pinscher.

English Toy Terriers are an old English breed, originally bred to catch rats and rabbits. The Toy Terrier ancestors were called Black and Tan Terriers. They were carried by gentlemen in their pockets on hunts and sent to ground, as necessary, to flush out foxes. Unfortunately, Toy Terriers face extinction in UK. The Kennel Club is trying to prevent the breed from disappearing by allowing the English Toy Terrier to be crossed with Manchester Toy Terrier, which looks only marginally different. Let's hope that the breed will survive as they are genuinely wonderful little dogs.

More about English Toy Terriers: English Toy Terrier Club in UK

A lady of leisure

2006-06-21T22:06:00.000Z

This is Liffey, doing her best rendition of that Marylin Monroe dress moment from "The Seven Year Itch" on Broadway. Broadway in London's Crouch End, that is.

I met Liffey this morning, pretty as a picture, as she was waiting for her owner to finish his coffee. Liffey is a sweet and very docile Beagle bitch. She is a rather well travelled and cosmopolitan dog. She was born in Australia, lived in Singapore and moved to London a couple of years ago.

She posed for me patiently and sat when I asked her to sit. Which is more than you can say of my Dachshund Kevin, who only sits for treats! She is placid, loves children and is very friendly. Her owner told me that the only time she goes wild is when her beagle tracking instinct kicks in, and she scavenges for bones on the street. Very unladylike, Liffey!

Beagles are hunting dogs that hunt in packs. They are athletic, love exercise and make great pets, but need discipline. Their sense of smell is so superb tha they often get carried away, so they may be disobedient during walks.

More about Beagles: The Beagle Club in UK

Snow White

2006-06-20T20:55:00.000Z

Meet Kaiser - a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, also known as a Staffie.

Kaiser is an absolutely stunning dog and a beautiful example of the breed. In fact, he stopped me in my tracks when I saw him walk down the street.

He looks very athletic, pampered and happy in his snow-white coat. His owner told me that Kaiser's good looks are down to a good diet and plenty of excercise.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers, despite their history (they were bred for dog and bull fighting), are dedicated and loving dogs who are fiercely loyal and affectionate, given the right upbringing.

It is the 5th most popular breed in UK, but there is a dark side to the Staffies' popularity. Many people buy them not for their loving nature, intelligence and affection for children, but because of their reputation for tenacity and ferociousness. Many Staffies end up in dog rescues after being abandoned, or worse, after being rescued from illegal dog fighting rings.

It is good to think outside the box and see Staffies for what they are (despite their formidable exterior) – loving and good-natured dogs. They are famous for their disarming smile so when you see one, give it a cheeky grin!

More about Staffordshire Bull Terrier: East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club
Rescue a Staffie: Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue

Kind of Blue

2006-06-18T21:24:00.000Z

Blue is a Weimaraner who lives in my neighbourhood. You see Blue once and you remember him for a long time, as he is so strikingly beautiful. I also know Blue because he is an extremely patient dog and he thouroughly ignores my Dachshund Kevin, who always barks at him from across the road!

Blue posed for me with a thoughtful expression on his face. Note his amazing amber eyes and silver grey coat - rare in dogs, but typical for Weimarners. Weimaraners are highly intelligent and graceful gundogs who are used to point, retrieve and track game. They can also be trained as sniffer dogs, and make fabulous companions and pets.

The Weimaraner was developed in the independent state of Weimar, in today's Germany. The nobles of Weimar jealously kept their dogs from other ownership and preserved the excellent characteristics of Weimaraners. It was not until World War II that any significant numbers of the dogs reached owners outside Germany. The Weimaraner was first introduced to Britain in 1952, so it is still a fairly rare breed in this country. (Source: Weimaraner Club Of Great Britain Online)

More about Weimarners: Weimaraner Club Of Great Britain

The Pub Landlord

2006-06-17T21:07:00.000Z

Meet Yogi. Not the food-obsessed bear from Jellystone Park, but the resident Alsatian at the Star&Garter pub in Soho.

I met Yogi, as he was relaxing, cool as a cucumber, in front of the Star&Garter in Poland Street. Yogi is a 3 year old Alsatian with a bit of media career. He modelled for a dog and cat cartoon for Nikolodeon and it doesn't suprise me, as he is a stunning dog. He has a beautiful, multi-coloured fluffy coat, carefully groomed every day by his owner to keep it smooth and silky.

He has an uber-cool air about him, like a real Soho-ite, and he posed beautifully, with the indifferent air of a real professional. His owner told me that Yogi often lies right across the threshold of the entrance to the Star&Garter. Who needs bouncers when you have an Alsatian at the door!

Alsatians, also known as German Shepherds, are working dogs, often used as guard, military, search and guide dogs because of their intelligence, ability to focus easily and capacity for learning. They also make wonderful pets and companions.

More about Alsatian: GermanShepherd.com

Keeping it in the family

2006-06-16T22:07:00.001Z

I met this lovely family in the busy Grovenor Place, just off Hyde Park Corner roundabout. The owners told me that they had a long standing family tradition to give their dogs names starting with a B, hence Bamba (top) and Bria (bottom).

Bamba is an unusual cross of the rare Pharaoh Hound, also known as an Egyptian hound. That is where she gets her lovely, distinctive ears, which give her a very charming, inquisitive air. Bamba is a new London dog, as she arrived to London only a few days ago from Spain with her owners. She has a beatiful, rich copper colour coat and amazing amber eyes. She has something of the timidity and gentleness of a greyhound about her, until she pricks up her big ears and all of the sudden you can see her Pharaoh Hound ancestors in her. I am sure that once she settles here, Bamba will be very happy.

Bria is a 9-year old serene and placid retriever. She has a beautiful creamy, almost white coat, unusually light colour for a retriever. She belongs to Bamba's owner's Mum, who was kind enough to let me take photo of Bria too. She was rather indifferent to my camera, which was justified. Bria is a dog of habit and it was past her dinner time, so she wanted us to know that it was not fair to keep her waiting any longer! She sprawled on the pavement with all her four paws out, never minding the traffic and noise.

More about Pharaoh Hound: Pharaoh Hound Club of America

More about Labrador Retriever: Labrador Retriever Club in UK

Springing into action

2006-06-14T21:24:00.000Z

Let me introduce you to Max (top) and Poppy (bottom), who are very special dogs indeed. Poppy and Max are English springer spaniels, who work as explosive sniffer dogs for the Metropolitan Police Dog Support Unit.

I was thrilled to meet this lovely pair in Green Park, where the officers (who are also their handlers) took them for a walk. Poppy is older and more experienced, but both Max and Poppy come from Battersea Dogs Home. Phil, Max's handler, told me a little about Max, an abandoned puppy handed in at a dog rescue. From the start, he showed a lot of potential, and was consequently put on a sniffer dog training course. Max is only 2 years old but he completed his sniffer dog course in January 2005 and has since worked on London Underground, in the aftermath of 7/7 London bombings.

To an unknowing eye, Max and Poppy looked like two very happy dogs bouncing around with the usual spaniel vivacity, playing with sticks found in the grass. Once called by their handlers, however, their training and discipline showed as they responded immediately and came to heel. Poppy really wanted to play with her stick, so that lovely photo of her shows her lifting her front paw, asking for the stick in a very lady-like fashion.

English springer spaniels are gundogs, which find, flush and retrieve for gun. They are excellent at tracking a scent and are eager to please, which makes them ideal for training as sniffer dogs. They are also wonderful companions – affectionate and kind.

A very special thanks to the officers who were so kind to let me take photos of the dogs and spent time chatting to me. And I walked away feeling that London was a little safer in their hands (and paws!).

More about English springer spaniels:
English Springer Spaniel Club in UK

The likely lads

2006-06-12T20:40:00.000Z

I met these two Scottish lads in Liverpool Street in Islington as they were strutting in a typically dapper terrier fashion.

They are Scottish terriers, also known as Aberdeen terriers or, affectionally, Scotties.

Don't be fooled by their cute looks and minute size - they were bred to catch mice and rats so they are determined, alert and full of energy.

These two Scotties are beautiful examples of their breed - full of beans and inquisitive, with lovely jet black coats.

More about Scotties: North of England Scottish Terrier Club

Play Dominos

2006-06-12T17:39:00.000Z

I met Domino in Green Park, where she was walking with her owner.

She is a cross of unknown parents, although watching her run makes you think of a Border Collie.

Domino is 14 years old. Mind you, from the way she was bouncing around, skilfully avoiding my camera, you would think she was a puppy.

She is a friendly and endearing girl who came from Battersea Dogs Home, which proves that you can get a friend for life when you adopt a dog.

Little lady

2006-06-11T21:02:00.000Z

Meet Erin, outside Tate Modern.

Erin is a young whippet bitch. She looks quite thin to the untrained eye but there is no need to worry. Whippets look like that, and Erin here is an extremely fine example - beautiful and delicately built.

Erin is very shy but don't be fooled by her innocent looks. Seconds after this photo was taken, she was asking people eating their lunch outside Tate Modern for a bite to eat. Not that shy after all.

Whippets are one of my favourite breeds. They are gentle, affectionate, trusting and loyal. They are a hunting dogs and are very athletic. They also race, like greyhounds.

More about whippets:

Whippet Club

The mysterious Chow-Chow

2006-06-11T20:32:00.000Z

I met this lovely Chow-Chow as he stood outside a house in Islington waiting for his owner to come downstairs. The beautifully coloured fluffy coat shone in the sun and thanks to a hot day, the purple tongue Chows are famous for, was on display.

More about Chow-Chows:
Chow Chow Club in UK

Miss Piggy

2006-06-11T20:14:00.000Z

This is Miss Piggy. She is a Staffordshire Bullterrier bitch.

Miss Piggy comes to Islington's Farmers' Market every Sunday with her owner.

She is really friendly little dog with a charming smile and a lovely spot of colour on her ear.