Shaemus, a Golden Retriever, and our always-charming Viggo on the Riverdale Footbridge
(All images enlarge in a new window with a click.)
Stella, Viggo, and big Murphy at Withrow Park
In my mind, I see the stereotypical “birder” – from wide-brimmed Tilley hat to sensible walking shoes and in his/her hands a check-list of birds (s)he is hoping to see. There is one difference, however. Instead of birding, what I see is someone engaged in “dogging” his way through my neighbourhood with a checklist of must-see dogs. And as I glance at his list I see that most everything is already checked off! If the incredible variety and number of dogs that one sees every day is any indication, then the Riverdale/Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto must be a dogspotter’s dream!
(Please see the end of the post for full disclosure with respect to my “birder” description.)
two Poodles (Oka and Zuna) running on the Don Valley trail
If you notice any errors in identification of the following dogs, let me know and corrections will be made! I will also keep adding to the collection over the next few days so do take a peek in a week or so for some new faces. In the meanwhile, what I will have to do is take Viggo out on walks outside of our regular times so that we meet a wider cross-section of the myriad dogs of Riverdale and Cabbagetown. Goin’ to the dogs indeed!
Sequoia, a Bernese Mountain Dog, down in the Don Valley
Benny, a terrier mix, guarding “his” street
Clarence along with Viggo and Cosmo
Tibetan mastiff visiting Riverdale- his family was sliding on the hill nearby
Shibu Inu (a Japanese Spitz breed) at Riverdale Park East – I didn’t catch this young guy’s name
the usual motley crew around Takeo, the giver of premium treats!
Viggo and a Golden Retriever exchanging greetings on the Don Valley trail
Maggie the Pyrenean Mountain Dog patrolling her pasture in Riverdale
Toshi the Australian Shepherd at Withrow park for a mid-afternoon visit
dogs getting some attention at Withrow Park
Mira the Alaskan Klee Kai- all that’s missing are her amazing blue eyes
Baxter the French Bulldog at Withrow Park dog park
up close and way too personal – the perils of pointing a camera from a crouched position
Joey a mixed breed – all eyes for his owner
Oka the Poodle complete with ice beard!
Kuba the Polish Lowland Sheepdog
play time down in the Don Valley- a husky-lab mix leads the way
Cosmo the Portuguese Water Dog- a buddy of Viggo’s since puppy days
Misha on Riverdale- getting on in years but still on the job!
Siberian husky at Withrow Park
Viggo in “full disclosure” mode for a new acquaintance, an Airedale Terrier
Timber the Brittany Spaniel reluctantly going for a walk
Sequoia with a delightful grin on her face
Layla the Portuguese Water Dog down in the Don Valley
Riverdale Park West– a Boston Terrier contemplating his ball
Takeo dishing treats at Riverdale Park West
close-up of a beagle- name unknown
riverdale dog coming in for a treat or some attention while I try to take a respectable shot!
looking for a third ball – a mixed breed? (a Golden Retriever +?)
Viggo hoping to score a treat – not sure about the breed of the dog conducting the sniff test
Bye Bye, snow! Viggo in the Don Valley on a cloudy day with +6 C temperature
Toby the Portuguese Water Dog in the Don Valley- last week’s snow is going fast!
Luna the Labrador Retriever pup sniffing something good now that the snow is gone
Riverdale Park West- mixed breed…any guesses?
an unnamed dog looks on as Stella and Murphy, two Bernese Mountain Dogs, join Viggo in checking out a Withrow Park arrival!
Springer Spaniels at Riverdale Park
Springer Spaniel at Riverdale Park East
Viggo, Polar (a Samoyed) and Marlow (a Sheltie)
Bella in her hot pink booties at Riverdale Park West
Brodie the Jack Russell terrier doing the rounds along the fence at Riverdale Park East
my first German Spitz sighting! His name is Leo. Where’s that checklist!
Patterson the Newfoundlander on his afternoon stroll in Roverdale
Rowboat, a Portuguese Water Dog at Riverdale Park
Riverdale Park East Bernese Mountain Dog
festive dachshund on the porch
Full disclosure: I own four Tilley hats of various colours and shapes and always choose sensible hiking boots for my rambles with Viggo. I have also been known to create checklists for most everything I do. Perhaps I should take up birding!
Pop Quiz- name any five breeds in the video below!
BTW- I found a great list of dog breeds that may prove very useful! Click here. Another useful resource is the Dog Breeds:A – Z page created by Phil Fernsby. Click on the title to access!
Update-
Well, so much for originality! I thought I had made up the word “dogspotting” until I googled the term and found along with the title of my post another 10,000 uses of the word! One of the links led to an iOS app which lets you keep track of the dogs you have spotted- the veritable digital checklist I had made fun of in the introduction! Check it out at the iTunes Appstore here.
Ramblin' Boy 
Riverdale Park West- mixed breed…any guesses?
I have the same exact dog, I’ve been searching the web forever for her breed and that pic is the closest, most identical I’ve come across, lol maybe they’re related. But we know she is a Siberian husky, and we think Spitz also, Spitz is what I searched and came across this, so hm???:)
If your dog looks like at all like the one in the pic, then what a gorgeous dog you’ve got!
There sure seems like some spitz in there, given the pointy ears, but my wife thought the shape of the snout seems to suggest a Dutch or maybe Belgian Shepherd. She also thought the coat might indicate some samoyed.
Does this compare with yours – http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/belgian-tervuren/
That one time I took a picture of that dog in my post was the only time I ever saw him/her!
Chantel, enjoy the mystery!
we have a dog that look like that 1 but its australian shaped mix, no other dog look close other than german spitz mixes, although my dog isn’t as big its a medium size dog. still not sure though… for now though i call him an aussie spit dog 😛 “Riverdale Park West- mixed breed…any guesses?”
Wowzer, what a surprise! So the story goes, I’m about to get our PWD clipped and decided to look at some on line to show the groomer an appropriate cut. (She’s new to us…) And who do I find but our Rowboat right there, live and in person, on the net. Couldn’t believe it but delighted to think she’s model-worthy. (Like I didn’t think she was.) Anyway, I clicked on your blog and there she is, indeed, on the field – Riverdale, that it. So, FYI the unnamed Portie in from your dogspotting in Riverdale is Rowboat, who happens to be vacationing for the summer on the Northumberland Strait in NS. See you in the fall!
Ah … the wonders of the internet! You’ll notice that Porties are a popular breed here in Riverdale – Oka, Toby, and Cosmo – and who knows, sometimes Rowboat without knowing it! – are just a few I see on a regular basis. I’ll get to the post and get Rowboat’s name in there!
And two months later I finally do! Do say “hi” if you and Rowboat walk by Viggo and me in “Roverdale”!
A friendly correction. After Layla the Portuguese Water dog, there is a photo of a Boston Terrier you refer to as a Jack Russell.
Beautiful photos though! I really enjoyed reading through
Earthmann – correction made! Thanks for taking the time. Haven’t looked at that post for years and ended up thinking – “I need to do a 2019 version of this!”
Thanks ggreat blog