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