Discover Dogs 2012 Pictures

Here’s some of the dogs I photographed at Discover Dogs at Earls Court last Saturday. It was good to be back there again and I managed to meet up with some of the lovely people I’d been corresponding with over the year. This is a great event to go to if you’re already a dog owner or are thinking of getting a dog as 200 or so breeds are there on show. Enthusiastic and knowledgable breed owners are there to fill you in on everything you need to know about their particular breeds. I’m always intrigued to see so many different dogs all together; tall ones, short ones, fat ones, thin ones, lively ones, docile ones. They’re all there. I even managed to see a few that I recognised (and photographed) from last year like Vinnie the Dogue de Bordeaux and Bobby the Schnauzer. One dog I didn’t get to see however (although I know he was there because he was tweeting) was Lucky the Chihuahua. I did a dog photo session with Lucky a month or so back and some of the pics can be found after this post and on my Facebook page.

I’m also going to give a mention to the person with the best hair of the day, namely Bridget Orlando. She was photographing the poodles at the same time as me so I just had to get a shot of her with her closely-cropped, pink spotty hair. Bridget is an artist who paints people and animals – her dog portrait gallery has some lovely images – check it out.

Gizmo, Shih Tzu

Hugo, Australian Service Dog/Labradoodle (left) and Oscar, Labradoodle

Rascal, Jack Russell/Norfolk Terrier X

Rascal, Jack Russell/Norfolk Terrier X

Lyra (front), Cairo (left) and Cuba (right), Italian Greyhounds

Megan, Lowchen

Megan, Lowchen

Megan (right) and Sherry, Lowchen

Freddie, Lhasa Apso

Freddie, Lhasa Apso

Buddy, Mastiff

Ollie (front) and Tasha, Manchester Terriers

Sasha, Norwegian Bohund

Sasha, Norwegian Bohund

Nina, Pug

Nina, Pug

Silas, Standard Poodle being photographed by Bridget Orlando (Pet Portraits)

Silas, Standard Poodle being photographed by Bridget Orlando (Pet Portraits)

Silas, Standard Poodle being photographed by Bridget Orlando (Pet Portraits)

Maddy, Parson Russell Terrier

Bobby, Schnauzer

Finn, Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)

Finn, Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)

Flint, English Springer Spaniel

You better watch him – he’ll have your sandwiches!

Flint, English Springer Spaniel

Star, Smooth Fox Terrier

Star, Smooth Fox Terrier

Dilys, Welsh Terrier

Dexter, Wire Haired Daschund (left) and Dodger, Jack Russell X

Dodger, Jack Russell X (right) and Dexter, Wire Haired Daschund

Southern Golden Retriever Display Team

Ollie, Southern Golden Retriever Display Team

Elvis, Basenji

Priscilla, Basenji

Ralph, Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand)

Ralph, Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand)

Norman (left) and Nelly, Chinese Crested

Vinnie, Dogue de Bordeaux

Norman, Chihuahua under the legs of Vinnie, Dogue de Bordeaux

Norman, Chihuahua under the legs of Vinnie, Dogue de Bordeaux

Vinnie, Dogue de Bordeaux

Anya, Keeshond

Quesa, Italian Spinone

Winter, Italian Greyhound

Winter, Italian Greyhound

If you like the pictures, why not subscribe to my blog or ‘like’ my Facebook page for regular updates. I’ll add these pics to the online shop part of my website in case anyone would like a print done. Whatever you do, spread the word! If you recognise any of the dogs on here, let the owner know. And lastly, while I’m plugging my services, why not click on the link to find out about my one-to-one dog photo sessions – you may even be able to get one in before Christmas or buy a voucher for a session (which is valid for six months).

Diva Dogs Day Photos 5

Here’s the last lot of photos from Diva Dogs Day that I’m going to blog. The rest are on my Facebook page and I’m uploading all of them to the Online Shop part of my site in case anyone would like to buy prints or other items.

Tinkerbell, Chihuahua

waiting in the queue for Diva Dogs Day

Diva Dogs Day

Euro (at front) and Bo (behind), Chinese Crested

Chica, Afghan Hound

Dillian, Lurcher

Bella, Chihuahua and Coco, Pomeranian/Shih Tzu X

Minnie, Yorkshire Terrier (teacup)

Morticia, Miniature Pinscher

Trockie, Yorkshire Terrier

Tilly, Maltese

Tiffany, Chihuahua

Nancy (right) and Ned, Yorkshire Terriers

Dog show categories

Frankie, Shih Tzu

Gracie (left) and Angel, Bulldogs

(left to right) Pippachoo, Boo and Chi Chi, Chihuahua

David Van Day with Alfie, Yorkshire Terrier

Diva Dogs Day

Butler, Bulldog

Bo (right) and Euro, Chinese Crested

Binkels, Jack Russell/Chihuahua X

Flora (left) and Bella, Maltese

Rodney, Chihuahua

Papillon at Diva Dogs Day

Betsy, Chihuahua/Yorkshire Terrier X

Taco, Chihuahua/Jack Russell X

Billy Bum Bum, Poodle

Best in Show at Diva Dogs Day

Thanks to you all for looking, commenting and liking The Dog Snapper Facebook Page

Don’t forget you can see all the pics on the Facebook page and they have all been uploaded to the Online Shop in case anyone would like to buy prints etc.

Diva Dogs Day Photos 4

Well it seems as though the backlash has started about various things that did or did not happen at Diva Dogs Day.

At least two Facebook pages have been set up, Leave Your Diva Dogs Day Complaints Here and Diva Dogs Day Opinions That Can’t Be Deleted. Gripes are coming thick and fast from stallholders and disgruntled attendees. Whether the outside bit was an indoor shopping village is a matter of opinion. It had a roof of some sorts, but no walls, so was open to the elements. It’s a good job it remained dry on the day as I feel a lot of the expensive stock could have got wet if it had rained. A lot of complaints seem to be from those who had bought the £50 VIP tickets. I don’t know if this was worth it or not; I’ve seen the response from the organisers on how the VIP area worked and what was on offer. Reading posts from people on the FB pages would tell you that all was not well with this. If you’re going to charge £50 for a VIP ticket, you need to make sure they have a good experience. I’m sure some people did have a good time but they won’t be the ones coming on to these FB pages. On the other hand, complaints of broken glass being left on the floor and no water bowls left out for the dogs is just unacceptable.

Whether you consider TOWIE/Gladiator type celebrities as something to get excited about is a personal taste. I wouldn’t know them from Adam – not my thing. However, I did recognise David Van Day and I did have a brief chat with actress Rebecca Ferdinando (who was lovely); I didn’t know who she was but got chatting after I had photographed her with her dog Jackson (the pic is below).

On the plus side, there were experts to offer advice on dog training, dog welfare, puppy farms, dog fashion shows and the agility stuff going on outside, but all of this is standard stuff at a dog show or country fair. The Guiness World Record couldn’t be verified officially which was a bit of an anti-climax.

The way I see it, the whole event was a big promotional oppotunity for Louise Harris and her business. With TV cameras there to film the proceedings, even a purple Lhasa Apso was not going to be upstaged by a grown woman in a pink tutu with a book to sell.

It’s seems as though the organisers have over promised and under delivered, leaving the paying public feeling short-changed. So, the fight goes on and reading some of the posts, there’s a lot of unhappy people out there. Demands for refunds and threats to get Trading Standards involved, will carry on. I do believe that Louise Harris has offered some recompense to disgruntled punters – a 40% discount on any purchase from her store. Oh dear.

On a lighter note, I hope you like the pics. Comments always welcome.

Rocky, Chihuahua

Honey (right) and Tinkerbell, Chihuahuas

Elvis (left) and Blue, Chihuahua

Hero, Chihuahua

Mia, Chihuahua (teacup)

Louis (left) and Oscar, Maltese

Bulldog

Diva Dogs

Dillian, Lurcher (and still my favourite dog from the day)

Millie, Jack Russell/ Yorkshire Terrier X

Lady, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Snowy, Bichon Frise

Smudge, Whippet

Coco, Greyhound

Bella, Chihuahua and Coco, Pomeranian/Shih Tzu X

Sparkle, Maltese

Diva Dogs Day

Kirby, Miniature Doberman (left) and Shilo, Chihuahua

Lola, Chihuahua/Matese X

Bluebelle, Chihuahua

Scarlett, Rottweiler

Frankie, Shih Tzu

Louise Harris, Diva Dogs Day

Kandi

Bonnie, Cockerpoo

Bella, Maltese

Rebecca Ferdinando with her dog Jackson the German Shepherd

Gem Allen of Gempire Ltd with Betsy, Chihuahua/Yorkshire Terrier

Chi Chi, Miniature Pinscher/Chihuahua X

Cocker Spaniel on the Fit Fur Life treadmill

Dillon, French Bulldog

Best in Show at Diva Dogs Day

More to come tomorrow. Don’t forget, if you like what you see, please ‘like’ my Facebook page. I’ll be adding all the pics from the day to an album on the FB page very soon.

Diva Dogs Day Photos 3

Here’s the next installment of dog photographs from the Diva Dogs Show event at the weekend.

Rocky, Chihuahua

Honey, Chihuahua

George (left) and Bella, Pugs

Diva, Shih Tzu

(left to right) Prada, Coco Chanel and Gucci, Chihuahua

Chica, Afghan Hound

Daisy, Lhasa Apso

Mr Cuddles, Daschund

Daisybell and Tallulah, Chihuahua

Rodney, Chihuahua

Miley, Jack Russell

Poodle with pink fairy wings

Henry, Bulldog

Trockie, Yorkshire Terrier

Olly, Papillon

Diva Dogs Day

Sara Abbott, Animal Portraits

Odin, Bulldog

Star, English Pointer

Diva Dogs Day

Boo, Chihuahua

Bo (right) and Euro, Chinese Crested

Bo (right) and Euro, Chinese Crested

Scooby Doo, Mastiff/Labrador X

Best in Show at Diva Dogs Day

Sonny, Yorkshire Terrier

There’ll be more coming tomorrow and at the end of the week I shall upload all the pics to my Online Shop where you’ll be able to buy prints etc.

Please leave your comments about the pictures and like my Facebook page if you’d like regular updates of what I’m up to. I shall also be added all the pics to my Facebook page at the end of the week.

Alfie the Shih Tzu

Just look at this pampered pooch. Alfie, a Shih Tzu, gets to travel around with Jo from Southborough Carpets each day and has his own comfy cushion on the front passenger seat. Jo is a real talker so if she comes by, Alfie often has a long wait in the car.

Here he is as Jo is about to leave (Jo is one of these people that “doesn’t like having my picture taken”). So she hid while thrusting Alfie upwards so that he could say goodbye to Barney (in the last picture).

Thursday at Crufts

So I’m here and it’s huge and I didn’t know where to start.

There’s much grooming, clipping and general pampering going especially in the Poodle showing area. There truly are some wonderful pieces of sculpture going on here.

Here’s a few from Thursday.

Seven, Standard Poodle

Madison, Standard Poodle

Seven (left) and Madison, Standard Poodle

Pearl, Standard Poodle

Sailor, Golden Retriever (on the caninepartners.org.uk stand)

Baggins, Golden Retriever

A Manchester Terrier being photographed by Ponystep magazine

Elen Elf Addicted To Love, Toy Poodle

Spicer, German Spitz

Preston, Pointer

Lhasa Apso

Queenie, Toy Poodle

Shih Tzu

Drewe, Chow Chow

Suzi Q, (a very relaxed) Cesky Terrier

Atticus, Bloodhound

Orinell’s Ego Trip, Chow Chow

Bexhill Dogs Photographed

Change of scenery this week, with it being half term.

We all had a trip down to Bexhill and while Mrs Dog Snapper went in to the De La Warr Pavillion to have a look at the ‘Warhol Is Here’ exhibition, the three pups, Barney and myself had a stroll along the seafront.

Bexhill has some super dogs and so I had to approach some of owners about getting a couple of out-of-town dogs on the blog.

First up is Ruby, a four month old Dogue de Bordeaux. This breed always seems to get described as ‘like the dog from the film Turner & Hooch.’ I loved the out of season ice cream hut so Ruby was duly plonked in front of it to add a bit of seaside glamour.

The other dog that I can name is Saxon, a three year old Westie/Shih Tzu X, owned by a lovely lady who was just so friendly.

Ruby, Dogue de Bordeaux

Ruby, Dogue de Bordeaux

Ruby, Dogue de Bordeaux

Saxon, Westie/Shih Tzu X

Saxon, Westie/Shih Tzu X and Barney

Saxon, Westie/Shih Tzu X

Dog Walker in Bexhill

Dog Walker in Bexhill

Dogs In The Snow

No big rambling post today. Obviously we had a good covering of snow yesterday and I just had to get out there and photograph some dogs as you never know how long the snow will last.

I snapped them on my way to the bomb crater where I was going to meet up with my kids who were sledging.

There’s seven new dogs that I’ve not come across before and one that I do know.

Barney in Snow

Dizzy, Dalmatian

I was really pleased to come across Dizzy, as I’ve not yet featured a Dalmatian on this blog and this was the perfect day to photograph one. She was quite a little truffle pig with her nose very much in the snow most of the time, but looks great with her head up in a snowy backdrop. I’m not sure whether I prefer the original colour files or the black and white conversions. I like the way there’s a little splash of colour in the last remaining leaves, but having a white dog with dark spots on a largely white backdrop just works in b&w too.

Bridie, Bernese Mountain Dog – fantastic, a real live mountain dog comes along just when you need her!

Chance, Labrador

Chance, Labrador

Chance, Labrador

Gizmo, Shih Tzu

Gizmo, Shih Tzu

Gizmo, Shih Tzu

Fred, Labrador – that’s definitely the best way to get a sledge back up to the top of the hill

Fred, Labrador

Fergus, Labrador (only 5 months old)

Nelson, German Sort-haired Pointer – essentially this is nightmare to shoot – black dog on a white backdrop while trying to retain a bit landscape detail. Ends up looking like a studio shot. I ended up going in close to just shoot a portrait as the wider stuff didn’t work.

Nelson, German Sort-haired Pointer – this dog had the most amazing black coat, with this fantastic lighter marking on the underside as though he had been dipped in ash.

Murphy, Miniature Schnauzer

Murphy, Miniature Schnauzer – was quite at home been pulled along on the sledge (as well as going down the hill with the owner)

Dog Photography in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park

Change of scenery this morning. I took Barney over to Grosvenor Park after being contacted by a local Tunbridge Wells group called Friends of Grosvenor and Hilbert Park (FoGH).

FoGH launched in 2011 to support the Tunbridge Wells council bid for Heritage Lottery Funding. This process is still on-going and they are keen to promote use of the Park and have many events lined up for the future including an Open Meeting this Saturday (28th Jan) morning at St Barnabas School Hall.

Somebody from FoGH had seen my blog and asked whether I’d be interested in taking some pictures of the dogs that use the Park, so over I went.

I didn’t realise there was so much to it. I was born and brought up in Tunbridge Wells and have used the Park’s facilities, but only really to take the kids to the play area and the pond. There’s so much more to see further round and it’s a great dog walking space. I’ve got quite used to walking in the Southborough woods which are fairly enclosed and as a change, I really enjoyed being out in the open. Photographically, this made things simpler as I could spot dog walkers in the distance and shimmy on over.

Apparently there’s a group that meet up (could this be the Lazy Dog Walkers of Grosvenor Park?) on one of the football pitches each morning as a sort of social thing. I think I may have missed them by going a bit later but I will try to catch them in the next day or so.

Met some friendly owners and lovely dogs and I’ve grouped a few together here. Must mention Louise, the lady in red with the Westies (with the red coats). They all looked so colour coordinated. Louise sent me a lovely email after viewing my blog with suggestions about how to describe her dogs and much praise for what I was doing. There really are some nice people out there.

Suzy (left) & April, West Highland Terriers
(my favourite picture of the morning)

Suzy & April (right), West Highland Terriers

Suzy is a “cheeky little scamp and likes chasing squirrels, who always manage to run faster than her (thank goodness)”, she also has plenty to say for herself, unlike older and wiser April, who “is much more reserved and would rather be back at home curled up in front of the fire that traipsing round the park in the cold and wet.”

Daisy-May, Tibetan Terrier Cross (who is like “a hormone in a fur coat, if she doesn’t like a dog”)

Robbie, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

8 year old Robbie, is diabetic, needs insulin injections daily, has impaired hearing and only 25% vision.

Ness, Shih Tzu/Cairn Terrier Cross

Ness, Shih Tzu/Cairn Terrier Cross

Nina, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Nina, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Nina, now 4 years old, was rescued from her cruel owners at the age of one. She had been so badly kicked and punched that she had to have her front right leg removed. Luckily she was rescued by South Coulsdon RSPCA and rehomed by her loving new owner who told me Nina is “her best mate.”

Sky, Border Collie

Lily, Springer Spaniel

Alfie, Shih Tzu (has just had a haircut!)

Mia, German Shepherd (“loves sticks”)

Mia, German Shepherd

Poppy, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (has “a zest for life” but is prone to disappear)

Poppy, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (big yawn)

Poppy, Shih Tzu

Rosie, Labrador

Oh Dear, How Sad

Managed to slip over on a slimy tree root before taking these. One minute I was standing there, the next I’m a pathetic mess on the floor. Most importantly though, I kept the camera up…hurray.

Once the dogs had stopped laughing at me, I got to work.

These two are Smudge, an 11 year old Shih Tzu and Meg, a 14 month old Border Collie.

Flooded Path

Not sure if it’s still like this but the path linking Birchwood Avenue and the woods was a little waterlogged last Friday. Think the drain may need clearing.

Today’s top dog is Megan a two year old rescued Shih Tzu, with fantastic colouring to complement the fallen Autumn leaves.