Bianca

A rather wet Bearded Collie, Bianca, rests below a wall by the beach in Menton. Her pretty owner has just received a sprig of Lily of the Valley from a young man - see them both on Menton Daily Photo. Lily of the Valley is traditionally given in France on the 1st of May - to apporte bonheur - give good luck. Bianca is only 18 months old and quite hyperactive - it took a lot of shots to get one of her reasonably calm. Typical Beardie behaviour! She lives in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.

The WC Dogs - America & Banjo

Meet the two chihuahuas who belong to the friendly lady who looks after the toilets on the Sablettes Beach in Menton. The smooth coat in her bed is an old lady called America - she is 17 years old. The beautiful young one with the long coat, is Banjo and he's only 3. You can see where they spend their days on Menton Daily Photo today.

Yopi and Janus

It'll be the Historique Grand Prix in Monaco this weekend and wandering around photographing the beautiful old cars, I came across these two lovely dogs. They have the most beautiful eyes and I wish the photo was slightly sharper - the sun was too strong for my camera setting. Perhaps I should say my camera setting wasn't right!

The pale one of the left is Yopi, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen who is two and a half. The other one, a mix, is Janus and he's 10. Both were found at SPA refuges in France and they live with their very nice Dutch owners in Monaco. They told me that Yopi can get very scared - suddenly scared - and it's probably because of something that occurred in his life earlier. Hopefully he'll grow out of it. He is a beautiful dog, wagging his tail at me - you'd not realise he can be so scared at times.

Nora

Nora is 11 years old and I had the pleasure of meeting her walking around the market in Menton. You can just see cheeses in the background! Actually she wasn't walking but was being carried in her owner's arms. Hardly surprising with all the crowds and anyway an old lady deserves a bit of consideration, wouldn't you say? Nora was on holiday in Menton from the north of France.

The small photo is slightly out of focus but with that expression and her tongue out, I had to show it.

Windswept

I know nothing about this dog except he stood here, alone, whilst I took his photo. He looks rather windswept, doesn't he? So that's what we'll call him. In fact it was a lovely day - no wind! He's cute, isn't he? He was hanging around the Old Town of Menton - probably lives around there somewhere.

The Brocante Dog

Surrounded by bric-a-brac, he belongs to a stall holder at Menton's Brocante, run by the Lions Club. Notice a lump on his head? - really quite big. His owner told me it's not serious, just a fatty lump and nothing to worry about. He's a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and something else - she didn't know what. Certainly a bigger breed as he's taller than a Cavalier. The size is more obvious if you look at the photo of him on his owner's lap on Menton Daily Photo.

Daisy

Daisy has had a somewhat unsettled life. She had many owners - we don't know how many. When her last owner died, the family didn't want her and she was passed around until she was eventually put into the marvellous Sans Collier Provence. She was looked after in four different foster homes - all good people, caring for her until a permanent home came along. And it did. Luck was about to change for our heroine.

She now lives with Laura and Michael in Cap d'Ail, which is near to Monaco. Laura and Michael have always had poodles and when their last rescue poodle, Ziggy, died far too young, they rang Sans Collier Provence to see if they had a poodle. And of course they did!

I'm not sure who loves who the most but there is much mutual adoration. Daisy has gained 2 kilos, she has 13 teeth - you can see one in the photograph! She's estimated to be about 12 or 13 years old and is the happiest friendliest poodle you can imagine.

Lucky dog - lucky owners.

The Statue

This handsome Shar-pei was on the beach in Carnoles - part of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and he didn't move for at least 10 minutes. He stood in this position - just like a statue. His owner patiently waited as you see in the small photo (click to enlarge). Eventually, the Shar-pei saw a small dog approaching him and then he took off to say Hello to him.

Morning walk

I met these three gorgeous Shih-tzus walking along the promenade above Larvotto Beach in Monte Carlo. They were being walked by a really nice guy who works for their owner.

He gave me their names but stupidly I'd left my pen in the car and can only remember two of them - Valentina and Petrea.

You'll find 'The Butcher's Dog' today on Menton Daily Photo. Just click on the link.

Monaco Dog Show - Honey

The Kooikerhondje - or Kooiker Hound is a spaniel from Holland. Originally used as a working dog, particularly in duck hunting. This beautiful dog is called Honey.

Monaco Dog Show - Moth Dog

There are two types of Papillon - the Papillon (Butterfly or prick-eared) and the Phalène (Moth or drop-eared). The American Kennel Club consider them to be one breed but in other countries they are two separate breeds. The lady who owned these dogs told me that the Phalène was the original Butterfly dog.

Monaco Dog Show - Ready to go Home...

A gorgeous Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees) at the show. Does he want to be there? I wonder?

Monaco Dog Show - Pimpy

Meet Pimpy the Pumi, who lives in Padua in Italy. I wrote about Pimpy's owner, Aurora in an earlier posting. Click on the link to read about this lovely young lady who adores dogs and shows them so well.

Or click on Aurora's Pumi website - a rare Hungarian breed. Isn't she gorgeous.

Monaco Dog Show - Cacharel

This puppy, at 4 months, was too young to be exhibited but nevertheless was walking around the exhibition space, naturally close to where the American cockers were being shown. He is related to the beautiful American we saw yesterday. He lives in the Bouches-du-Rhone. How cute is he?!

Monaco Dog Show - Best-in-Show

I always have a very soft spot for American cocker spaniels. My Milou was an American cocker bred by the La Vigie kennel in Switzerland, which is where this lovely dog comes from. Milou was black tho. Look at the way this dog swishes his head - he knows how gorgeous he is. And look how beautifully presented he is too.

Monaco Dog Show - Pipo

Meet Pipo, a lovely chocolate Labrador who lives in Peille, a hill village above Monaco. Pipo is two years old. What a love!

Monaco Dog Show - Lowchen

I don't know the name of this dog - just snapped him or her at the show. The Lowchen is a member of the Bichon family. and shares, with the Pekinese, the name of Little Lion Dog. This is because it's always shown in a 'lion clip' complete with mane and fluffed tail, giving it the appearance of a lion in miniature. It is an affectionate, happy, healthy little dog, known in Europe for several centuries.

Monaco Dog Show - Ally & Vzan

Two Shar-peis at the show. Above you see Ally - she's the girl. And with her below, is Vzan, the male. Just look at Ally's wrinkles. Enough to make you look in the mirror and feel your own skin is perfect! These two come from Toulouse in south-western France.

Monaco Dog Show - the Borzois

Such beautiful creatures waiting patiently for their turn at the dog show. I always find it fascinating why we choose the breed of dog we do. Somehow the small lady sitting in the chair and her Borzoi don't seem to go together - which is nonsense of course, because obviously they are more than happy. I also got the impression (could be wrong) this lady is very much a 'doyen' of the breed as people kept coming up and talking to her.

Monaco Dog Show - Cuddled up

Lots of exhibitors keep their dogs in cages when they are not preparing them for the ring or showing them. The dogs are used to it and it's a sanctuary from the chaos of the exhibition hall and the owners know their dogs are safe.

Here you see two Old English Sheepdogs. These made the long journey from Holland - one a champion and one a puppy - both girls. How's this for togetherness?!

Monaco Dog Show - Austin

Sitting with a friend who has a Springer Spaniel, I looked to my left and saw this face under the chair next to me. He's a two and a half year old English Setter - just look at that expression!

Monaco Dog Show - 'And God Created Dog'

Perhaps they are fed up with all that brushing? These two shih-tzus are taking a rest from the exhausting business of looking beautiful. The one on the left - see below - has a hairstyle I've never seen in the showring before, but perhaps I've not looked at Shihtzus in the ring lately - true. Sure she must think she's Brigitte Bardot and we've gone back to the sixties. Have you ever seen the 1956 film - And God Created Woman?

Monaco Dog Show - Arak

Sitting in the sunshine, waiting for his class, this is Arak, a beautiful Sloughi. Arak lives in Nice.

Monaco Dog Show: a Campervan Dog

This lovely soft-coated Wheaten was staying in a campervan for the duration of the show. Anyone who comes to the Monaco Dog Show in a campervan will have a million-dollar view as they are allowed to park just along from the Heliport, right on the sea and looking over to the lovely port of Fontvieille.

Monaco Dog Show - Appaloose

This beautiful St. Bernard, Appaloose, comes from Aix-en-Provence and is two and a half years old.

Monaco Dog Show - a gaggle of dogs

Whilst at the dog show I had the good fortune to meet such a nice Italian young lady, Aurora. How pretty is that name! She's a professional handler from Italy, spoke perfect English, and she kept bringing more and more dogs into an empty ring for me to photograph - rare breeds such as a Pumi and a Kooikerhundje - you'll meet these dogs over the next days. In this photograph, whilst walking to the carpark I saw her with these five dogs - two Pugs, a French bulldog, A Griffon Bruxellois (that's the little furry one - front left) and a Petit Brabancon (also a type of Griffon - front right).

Do click on the link to see a photograph of Aurora on Monte Carlo Daily Photo today. And for Aurora's own website, please click on the link in the next paragraph.

As I wrote on Monte Carlo Daily Photo, Aurora is the best sort of dog handler, enthusiastic, loves the dogs yet handles them in a calm and professional manner. Hardly surprising as she's won an enormous amount of Junior Handling Awards. She also speaks perfect English.

Monaco Dog Show - Bundle of love

Look at this great big baby! And look at the size of his water bowl. This is yet another mastiff - this time the Neopolitan Mastiff. Last year's photos of the breed were probably better, although not so soppy and adorable (!) so please click on the link to take a look. Possibly the same dog.

Monaco Dog Show: Jinng

Here's another mastiff, this time a Tibetan Mastiff called Jinng. Too much sun on her face to really see those eyes but she's a beauty, as you can see. Jinng lives in Italy. Tomorrow a Neopolitan Mastiff, then a smaller breed.

Monaco Dog Show -Tundra

Tundra is a Spanish Mastiff who lives in Italy and came to Monaco to compete at the dog show. Just look at that amazing, massive head. I was allowed to approach - but not too close. They were bred to herd, but also to guard, after all. There are many different types of mastiff and I'll feature another seen at the Monaco Dog Show in a few days. Valázquez featured a Spanish mastiff in his famous painting, Las Meninas. Click on the link.

Monaco Dog Show - I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. de Mille

Combs, bands to hold up this apricot poodle's top-knot - and don't you love the coloured bags which I can only assume are poop bags. Maybe I'm wrong but I love the idea of a different colour poop bag for each day of the week!

You can see a French Bulldog being judged on Monte Carlo Daily Photo today.

Monaco Dog Show - Rouchka and Visconte

The Monaco Dog Show was held in the circus tent in Fontvieille last weekend and so lots of opportunities for me to add breeds to this blog that I might not otherwise see. Meet two beautiful Bloodhounds from an area around Montpellier and Sete in south-western France, who made the trip to Monaco - and won! Look how adorable they are together!

This was a lucky encounter for me as I got talking to their owner, Lisa, and we got to discussing the problem I have with Beau, my Bruno de Jura (a breed not so far removed from a bloodhound, after all). I told her how Beau gets abscesses every few months in the area under his ears. Indeed, the vet has already removed both eardrums. She told me that these breeds get an infection of the salivary glands that can't be cured by operation or by antibiotics and she is going to give me a homepathic remedy that works. Soon as I've posted this, I'm emailing her.

Sheri, a regular reader (thanks, Sheri) has a painting of hounds which she's posted on her fascinating blog about the art of quilting. This photograph reminded her of the painting. Take a look. I so agree.

I'll be posting dogs I met at the show over the next week or so. Tomorrow - a smaller breed!

Maya

It's 2 p.m. and whilst it's only March, it's a warm day in the sunshine. Time for this caring owner to give her lovely Mastiff a drink. Maya is two years old and lives in Menton. I love the gentle hand on that beautiful and massive head in the last photograph.

Sophie

Meet Sophie, a three year old Golden Retriever I met in the port of Garavan in Menton. Please click on the link to see this beautiful laid-back dog with her young owner. He thinks she's a horse!

Bilbo

No, he hasn't broken his leg. This is Bilbo, an Old English Sheepdog, who became a Riviera Dog for a couple of days. He lives in Barcelona and came to the Riviera to compete in a dog show, just across the Italian border, in San Remo. He and his owners, good friends of mine, stayed here for a couple of nights. Here he is on the lower terrace.

And he won - so he's now an International champion! And the socks? That's to keep his feet clean prior to the show.

Bill

Bill, this bright-as-a-button 2 year old Yorkie was sitting by his owner's shopping basket whilst she took a coffee break near to the market in Menton.