I read recently that France has more dogs than any other European country, but what breed of dog do the French choose? There may be as many as five hundred ‘official’ breeds of dog, not counting mongrels or mix-breeds, such as ‘pekidors’.

Ted’s family have always had dogs. When he was a boy, the family dog, Judy, was a mongrel; fast, very clever, and much loved by all. His elder brother now has two Border Collies, his younger brother has three black Labradors, and for years it was Ted’s plan to have two English Pointers. However, the time had to be right; his work meant a constant change of countries, cultures and climate, he would have to wait.