Hulk

 

This is Hulk, a 3 month old Neopolitan Mastiff, who lives in Menton. He's pretty big at 3 months but will grow enormous and with all those folds of skin will need great care as he gets older.  A Neopolitan Mastiff (or Italian Mastiff) is an ancient breed originally used to guard property and family due to their protective instincts and fearsome appearance. Fang in the Harry Potter films was played by a Neopolitan Mastiff.

Birdy

Meet Birdy.  Isn't she too cute for words!  She's only 6 months old and has already got her owner sorted out with her very own carrying bag!

 Birdy and her charming owner, Patrick, live in Le Cannet.  I met them in Menton.

Xena and Lana

Not all Monte Carlo ladies strut around in 6 inch heels. Some, like these two ladies,  are more interested in their dogs and were taking a rest with them on a bench in the Casino Gardens.

The Griffon is called Xena and she is 4 years old. And the Jack Russell terrier is called Lana and she is 3.

Both are rescue dogs now living a wonderful life in Monaco with these two fabulous Monte Carlo ladies.

Cleo

A brisk wind meant this little 4 year old Chinese Crested needed her tartan jacket. She's called Cleo and lives in Menton.

Ugly Mia?

After all those beautiful dogs at Crufts, how about an ugly one! She's actually rather beautiful but the beginnings of a yawn can create a weird expression like this.

This is one of my rescue dogs, Mia, who is a Bassett Ariegois - a French hunting dog - sort of like a Bassett but with long legs.   She used to be terrified of the camera. She still is terrified of other people.  But now, when I'm photographing another dog, she'll push her way in and stare at the camera.

Sleepy Abby

This is little Abby, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel who lives in Beaulieu-sur-Mer - currently asleep on my coffee table!

Shaka (2)

If you've got a good memory you might recognise little Shaka. He made his first appearance on Riviera Dogs in September 2008. (click link) when he was 9 years old.

Here he is again, this time in his winter coat and of course an older gentleman now but looking really fit.   He's a mix between a Shihtzu and a Yorkshire terrier and lives in the village of Gorbio with his really nice owner, Muriel. 

Eole

This is Eole, she is from Brittany and was in Gorbio for a short visit with her owners.  Eole is 3 years old with such a gentle, steady, kind look in her eyes,  don't you think?

Benny

Benny is an immaculate 5 year old white Scottish terrier. who I passed on the way to the Fete du Citron in Menton.  Of course I had to stop and chat to him and his owners as they rested on a bench by the sea.  Benny and his family live in Luxembourg and are in Menton for the festival.

I thought he was a Westie with a long foreface and understood his owners to say he was a Westie but am now assuming I'm wrong, so have changed the words here. 

Tina, hunting dog of the future

Meet Tina, she's a three and a half month old hunting dog (she's a mix of hunting dog and terrier) and is being trained to hunt sanglier (wild boar).  She lives with a young hunter in the medieval village of Gorbio.  As you can see she does what all good hunting dogs do - walks along with her nose glued to the ground!

Fanny and Emma

Some of you will remember Fanny, the little poodle, who was abandoned outside my gate nearly three years ago.  She was in a sorry state at the time, an old lady of 13.  As you see, she is in much better health now although she still has problems including a dodgy heart.  She's a happy camper though and now that she barks less, I'm a happy camper too ...!

She's found an adorable friend in little Emma who is the daughter of the family who own Paisley and Raffa, the golden retrievers we saw in the last post.

When they collected their dogs, Emma fell for Fanny and it seems the feeling was mutual.

Raffa

This is Raffa - she lives in Mouans Sartoux with Paisley who we met last time.  Raffa is a dog who half closes her eyes when she sees a camera - don't you just love that expression in the main photo. She'll be 13 in June.

Paisley

 

This is Paisley enjoying a little sunshine.  She lives with her buddy, Raffa in Mouans Sartoux, near to Grasse - famous for perfume.  Paisley is almost 14 years old. Isn't she a beautiful dog?  Next time, we'll meet Raffa.

Maya the Mastiff

I met Maya, an English Mastiff, whilst shopping in Menton this morning.  Maya has appeared on this blog before - 4 or so years ago - but as she is the only English Mastiff in Menton I couldn't resist photographing that lovely slobby face once more. She's now 7 years old.

Click link to see Maya in 2008.

Speed on the Beach

This little Jack Russell pup was having the best time flying around Larvotto Beach in Monaco a couple of days ago.

Beagle time ...

A cute Beagle puppy who was enjoying the late afternoon sun with his young owner in Menton.

He's not at all sure he wants his photo taken ...

Giada - the glamour of Italy

Pink leopardskin coat, pink hair slide - the glamour of winter - she has to be Italian!

And she is. This is 13 year old Giada, whose owners will be selling bric a brac at the Broc Troc in Menton this weekend.

Hémy, the Havanese puppy

Meet Hémy, a Bichon Havanese puppy.  Isn't she too adorable!  She lives in Monaco with an old blind cocker spaniel called Goldy - click to see Goldy's photo.

Hunique - the Restaurant Les Terrasses Dog

Meet 5 months old Hunique.  She's Vanessa's new puppy at the Restaurant Bar Les Terrasses in Gorbio.  Hunique is a long haired German Shepherd Dog and already is such a sweet, well-behaved puppy but is one who guards the restaurant at night.  Look at those beautiful eyes.