Sniff, sniff ...

The fluffy white dog is a Coton de Tuleur and the one in the foreground is a Jack Russell mix.  They were having fun playing together by the sea at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin this morning. I didn't ask their names.  Simply because I was trying out a new lens and didn't think the photo would be any good -  but I quite like the shape they make together with the terrier's legs all over the place ... and he's got such a lovely face.

The Monte Carlo Westies

Two Westies hoping for a morsel from their owners who are having a coffee and a croissant in the luxurious Metropole centre in Monte Carlo. 

They are mother and son.  Mother in the foreground is called Twiggy and she's 5 years old. Her son is 2 and he's called Tuky.

They live in Monaco. 

San the Chow

This is San, a soulful looking Chow.  She's 8 years old and posed by the fish stall in Carnoles, where her owner was working. 

Note her blue/black tongue which is typical of this ancient Chinese breed.  The Chow is easily recognizable in pottery and sculptures of the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 22 A.D.).

Tess

In the last post, we met little Victoria, who had been found in a rubbish bin at 4 weeks and now lives in the mountain village of Sospel, above Menton. 

This is her new friend, Tess.  Tess was bom in the house next door and Victoria's family just had to have one of the pups.  She's now three years old and as you see, a wonderfully gentle soul.

Victoria who was found in a rubbish bin

This is Victoria who, at the age of four weeks, was found in a rubbish bin in Monaco - dumped in a plastic bag.   That was in 2001 and since then has had the happiest of lives.  You can read Victoria's story and see photos when she was younger, by clicking on the link.

Victoria is now 10 years old and  lives in Sospel, a village above Menton.  She now has a canine housemate who we'll meet in the next post.

Lilou and Poupi

These two Cavaliers - two years old and half-sisters -  were competing at the Agility competition in Menton.  I'm really not sure if the little beauty in the main photo is THIS DOG (flying over the fences)  or not. What do you think?

They are called Lilou and Poupi and live in Cannes.

Flying Staffie

A flying Staffie at this year's Agility Show in Menton.

Flamme - the 'Moth' Dog

This is Flamme, an eleven year old Phalene who lives in Switzerland. I met her in Menton.

A Papillon (butterfly) has its ears UP and a Phalene (moth) has its ears DOWN.

Nourse

This little dog lives in the medieval village of Gorbio and can often be seen under her owner's chair in the Bar/Restaurant Les Terrasses. When I asked what mixture of breeds she is, her owner told me she s a 'Gorbarine' - as she said, you often see small dogs who look like Nourse.  A wiry coat, terrier like face but with an undershot jaw.  And oozing intelligence.  Nourse is 18 months old.

Jen

Jen, the dachshund, was guarding her bench and really didn't want her photograph taken ... grrrrrrrr

Eros

Eros is a beautiful Tervuren I met at the Agility competition in Menton.  He's three years old and lives in Menton. A beauty.

Bramble

Meet Bramble - a cute Cairn Terrier.  Bramble is just over a year old and lives in Monaco.

Hanoi

This is one tough little puppy.  Only 3 month old and just a handful in size, but she thinks she's a fully grown big dog! I met her at the Fete de la Branda in Gorbio.

Hanoi is her name and she lives in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Adorable!

Ambra

Ambra is a 5-month old Golden Retriever who lives at Mortola Superiore, just across the border in Italy - and in Germany.  So young and yet so well-behaved for a puppy Golden.  Very well trained by her owners, Sigi and Manfred!

Here you see her drinking out of the 'source' in the medieval village of Gorbio and in the last photo she wants to play with a male Golden she has just met outside the church - he's called Tom and lives in Monaco.

Double Cream

This lovely whippet competed at the Agility competition in Menton.  He's four years old and he's called Double Cream but his owners call him DD. He lives in Cannes. 

Three Shelties

Three well-trained Shelties, waiting their turn to compete at the reeent Agility competition in Menton.

They live in Mandelieu and left to right are called: Bluebell Lady, Deslys d'Amour and Fleur de Lyla. They are 6, 3 and 1 and a half years old.  Adorable!

Agillity! - the Golden

Another flying dog, this time a Golden Retriever about to land. The smaller photo shows him with the backdrop of the Old Town of Menton and in the last photo he's weaving in and out of the poles. Clever dog!

The Flying Cavalier

There was an Agility competition in Menton recently so expect lots of photos of dogs jumping over fences! 

Isn't this Cavalier amazing - I never knew this breed did agility.

Plume, the Golden Oldie

This lovely old Golden Retriever lives in Gorbio village and recently attended the Blessing of the Animals.

He's called Plume and is 13 years old. Such a gentle soul. Such a lovely breed.

Mia

Here's a Riviera Dog who happens to be one of mine. This is Mia - some of you know she had a terrible life before she came here three and a half years ago. 

Now, she's in pretty good shape physically, still terrified of strangers and normally gets up and moves when I pick up the camera.  Yesterday was a bit of a breakthrough though because she saw the camera, looked at me through sleepy eyes and stayed where she was. So here she is ...