Charlie, the Griffon Bruxellois

This is Charlie and he's one of the sweetest little dogs I've met. He's a Griffon Bruxellois or Brussels Griffon which is a breed of toy dog, named for their city of origin: Brussels, Belgium. The Griffon Bruxellois may refer to three different breeds, the Griffon Bruxellois, the Griffon Belge and the Petit Brabançon. Identical in standard except for coat and colour differences, in some standards they are considered varieties of the same breed.  You can see two of them HERE - photographed at the Monaco Dog Show. Sometimes they are called 'monkey dogs' presumably because of their cute expressions.

The little wire-haired dog in the foreground of the Jan van Eyck painting The Arnolfini Marriage is thought to be an early form of this breed.

Charlie is 10 years old, although you'd never know it and he lives in Monaco. Absolutely adorable. 

Exuberance!

This squirming bundle of Jack Russell terrier was at the recent Mechoui in Gorbio village.  I don't know her name.

Here she has leapt into the arms of Fabrice, who was chatting to her owner who is out of the picture to the right and is holding her lead.

Lola - the White Miniature Schnauzer

This lovely white Miniature Schnauzer is called Lola and lives in Monaco.  She was being groomed in a poodle parlour in Menton.Lola is 4 years old.

Miniature schnauzers come in four colours - black, salt-and-pepper, black-and-silver, and white.  I've never seen a white one before - have you?

Thaina - the Lucky Dog from Thailand

Meet Thaina.  She is a Thai dog and was run over by a car on the streets of Thailand when she was only a few months old.  Happily for her, she was taken to the vet by a young couple who arranged for her to be treated and eventually tatooed and vaccinated and then brought to France. She now lives in Menton. I photographed her in Gorbio where she was visiting her owner's mother who lives in the village.

Doreen or Uggie?

You'd think this little dog is a puppy, wouldn't you? In fact, Doreen is 5 years old.

She reminds me a bit of Uggie in 'The Artist' - slightly different markings but that same adorable face. Doreen lives in Monaco - I met her yesterday in the veterinary surgery in Cap d'Ail.

Tessa

 This is Tessa, a 4 month old Boxer puppy, playing near the beach in Garavan, Menton.  She lives in Grasse.

Gunja - and bone

Gunja is a cross between a Boxer and a Golden Retriever. She's the sweetest, gentlest dog and lives in the village of Gorbio.  Here you see her chewing a bone at the recent Méchoui (sheep roast picnic) - yes, the dogs eat as well as the people: there was a large dish of lamb and lamb bones, just for the dogs!


Gunja, is very polite -  here she greets friends at one of the tables. And with her owner and new baby, she says Hello to Gunilla and Alice. 

Helline - Lagotto Romagnolo

Isn't she absolutely gorgeous! Meet Helline, a 15 month old Lagotto Romagnolo (Italian Water Dog) - she looks somewhat like a large miniature poodle but stockier and with a much curlier coat - really tight curls as you can see. She's cute, intelligent and a ball of energy.

Helline lives in Menton for part of the year and is the first Lagotto Romagnolo on Riviera Dogs. This breed is also known as the Curly Coated Duck Retriever. Click on the link to read more.

Get Off the Coffee Table!

Get off the coffee table!  This was taken when Abby, the Cavalier was staying here. The other dog is Mia, one of my rescues. 

Once upon a time I had a sofa and comfortable chairs - long gone since they were taken over by the dogs.  Now it looks like the coffee table has gone too.

Ghost

Some dogs are just too beautiful for words, aren't they? This stunning Swiss Shepherd Dog lives in the village of Gorbio. He's two and a half years old and is called Ghost. Such gorgeous gentle eyes and such a kind expression.

Lunch Break

Two well-behaved Jack Russell terriers waiting whilst their owners eat lunch at the fabulous Restaurant Beausejour in Gorbio. 

Doggie Transport

An interesting dog carrier in a shoe shop in Menton...

Later, I saw one of the two Jack Russell terriers walking around the town (see small photo) and so presume that perhaps the other one is paralysed.

There's a cute and spoiled Yorkie on Menton Daily Photo  needing to get away from the crowds ...

Waiting ...

This little dog was tied up outside the Palais de l'Europe in Menton yesterday.  He didn't seem too bothered. If anything, he was more bothered by me taking his photo - so I didn't stay long. 

Balloo

This is a Griffon Korthals - such an appealing breed.  He's called Balloo, he's 7 years old and he has had a stroke but he's doing well.  I met him in San Remo, across the border in Italy although Balloo and his family live in Castres in south-west France.

A Griffon Korthals is a wire-haired pointing Griffon, thought to originate in Holland.

A Bed of Cobblestones

You'd think these ancient cobblestones in the village of Bussana Vecchia across the border in Italy, would be uncomfortable, wouldn't you?  Seems not. In fact, I worried for one second this little dog was dead as he didn't move until another dog came along and woke him up. 

Rita

This is Rita, a two and a half year old Brittany spaniel.  She's sitting by the 300 year old elm tree in Gorbio's square, waiting for her owners who are having a drink in the bar.  Her eyes never leave them. And in the photo below - they are coming, they are coming ...!

Ylan, Bouchette and Galinette

This is the adorable Ylan with Bouchette, the Bassett Hound and Galinette, the Shih-tzu - the dogs of the Restaurant Beausejour in Gorbio. The dogs' names appear in the wonderful Marcel Pagnol books.

In Step

In step ... a couple of poodles in Monaco.

Playtime in Cervo

Village dogs play in the square at beautiful Cervo in Liguria, Italy.