Dog and the City

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!