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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
