The Dog of White Christmas

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.