Author Archives: rsmalley

Cuban connection

I’ve never seen so many dachshunds as in Havana. All the animals on the island seem to be small breeds (cats, horses, other dogs) so it makes sense that dachshunds would be a popular choice. There were definately a few cross breeds between doxies and who knows what. Most of the dogs we saw on the streets were well fed although the people must be lacking in vet services as there were a number of injured dogs still getting around. Seeing a dog carcass well set into a lampost base on the last day was pretty disturbing. Havana is a city melting with lazy decrepitude. It could be one of the most beautiful cities in the world if only the buildings were restored and the streets cleaned up.

I don’t normally support people making money out of dressing their animals up in silly costumes but the dogs were in a good condition and I know the money is needed so I succumbed. Although I will say I thought the dummy routine to be very dodgy…

Hmmm

Havana showdogs

Bored

Good news

We’ve had news that Jessie is pregnant and the pups are due mid September. Exciting.

Gretel

Just watched an episode of the Swedish ‘Wallander’ series where the village idiot blows himself up along with a wire-haired dachshund called Gretel. Not fair – why did the dog have to get it?

Jessie

Tina just sent us a photo of Jessie.

Jessie

Jessie

Pride March, London

A few dogs made an appearance in the Pride parade today. Here’s one…

Proud doxie

Proud doxie

Rainbow

Rainbow

Windsor Dog Show

We went to the Windsor Dog Show yesterday and met up with Sue and Ian. Their Twix won her round and then came second overall! We also met Tina and Jenny who I spoke to, a few weeks back, about potential puppies later this year. We met Lily – a real sweetie. We spoke to a guy at a leather supplies stall, who gave us advice on getting a puppy collar and lead. When we said we were getting a wire-haired he pointed to the back of the tent where he had his 9 month minature. He said he was the best natured dog he’d ever had. Everyone says how lovely they are. I also fell for the Irish Wolf Hound big time.

Minatures on show

Minatures on show

Dogs on wheels

Dogs on wheels

Wirehairs on show (Sue in front)

Wirehairs on show (Sue in front)

A small herd of Irish hounds

A small herd of Irish hounds

Twix (in motion)

Twix (in motion)

Bolzano connection

We have returned from our week’s sojourn in Europe.  Much to our delight we saw the wire-hair in action. We saw a couple of them (on separate occasions) in Bolzano/Bozen and Gries, happily bounding by. Sorry no photo of the dogs so I have added a photo of the area were we first saw one.

Gries

Gries

Lily

I rang Jenny, in Wiltshire,  last night as her bitch Lily is likely to have pups in a few months. Lily is part of the Sunsong line but I can’t remember how exactly.  Jenny hopes to mate her with a male that has the chocolate colour gene in him. This way they may get some more choc coloured dogs.

I also talked to a lady in Putney who has another of the Sunsong line who may have pups about the same time as Lily.

Another link to the Sunsong family of dogs – http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/sunsong/gypsy.htm

Potential mother of our pup

Potential mother of our pup