Queen Elizabeth II's Dog: Breed

A great trendsetter, beloved by the entire United Kingdom, and the owner of an impressive collection of both ornate and classic hats—this is all about the legendary Queen Elizabeth II. In addition to her impeccable taste, she became famous for her love of one small dog breed. Over the years, the Queen's hats and fashion preferences changed, but her affection for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi remained constant. So, if you ask what kind of dog the Queen of England owns, the answer is definitely a Welsh Corgi. Thus, this breed has deservedly earned the nickname "royal," and all of Britain has warmed to these charming pets.

The history of the Queen of England's favorite breed

Welsh CorgiAccording to recent research, corgis originated in England, specifically Wales. They are a herding breed and are also known as small sheepdogs. The first recorded mention of the corgi dates back to the 10th century. The English queen's favorite dog breed was described in a code of laws. According to the law, shepherds whose dogs were killed while flocked were entitled to compensation in the form of an ox. At the time, this was a significant compensation, as other breeds might only pay a sheep.

Description and character of the breed

Visually, these dogs resemble foxes, only slightly plumper. They are short-legged, have large ears, and a small tail. But despite their outward clumsiness, corgis are still considered among the best herding dogs. They are very agile and quickly reach fairly high running speeds.

Corgis have medium-length fur, most often red. Tricolor specimens are sometimes seen. Another type of corgi, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, is typically black and white. However, it was the red-haired beauties that captured the heart of the Queen of England. They also have an elongated body and reach a height of up to 30 cm at the withers.

These dogs have a very positive personality. They are cheerful, playful, active, and very sociable. Corgis are also completely non-confrontational and get along well with other animals in the house. They are highly trainable and eager to learn new things. Cynologists recommend constantly challenging their pets so they have something to do with their energy. Corgis are very hardy and thrive in private homes with a small farm. Their innate herding instincts take over, and they happily clean up the barnyard.

How many corgis did the queen have?

Queen Elizabeth II currently has no royal corgis. Her last dog of this breed, Willow, passed away in 2018. Today, the only remaining dorgis in the royal household are Candy and Vulcan, and the era of red corgis at Buckingham Palace is effectively over.

Nevertheless, the love for corgis remains alive in culture: children's books, cartoons, and comics are created based on them. After the release of the Netflix series "The Crown," which tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II, interest in the breed soared again: after the first season, demand for corgi puppies increased by 16%, and after the second, by 47%. Last year, Belgian animators released the cartoon "The Royal Corgi," and millions of children around the world dream of getting a corgi puppy for Christmas.

Prince Charles prefers Labradors and Jack Russell terriers, while his son, Prince William, keeps spaniels. He's not particularly fond of corgis, noting, "They bark all the time, I don't know how she puts up with it." The only person who managed to befriend Elizabeth's corgi was Meghan Markle.

Most of the Queen's dogs were descended from Susan, the first corgi, who died in 1959 and was buried near Sandringham House. Until 2009, the Queen bred puppies herself, but later abandoned this practice after it was discovered that all of Susan's descendants were predisposed to cancer. Furthermore, Elizabeth was reluctant to leave her dogs with strangers. An incident in 1999, when a footman slipped a corgi into gin as a joke, only reinforced the need for caution.

Predisposition to diseases

Although the Queen of England's beloved dogs are able to live carefree in the palace and "deny themselves nothing," this breed is actually quite low-maintenance. It's enough to feed the animal properly and brush its thick coat once a week. Corgis also need to be given an outlet for their pent-up energy. Therefore, walks should be long and vigorous.

The most common condition in corgis is spinal dysfunction. However, if you prevent your dog from dancing on its hind legs or jumping off high objects on its own, you can maintain its health and extend its lifespan to 12-14 years.

Another dangerous condition that can affect the average corgi is obesity. Therefore, it's important to carefully select your dog's diet and allow them freedom of movement during walks.

How do dogs live in the Queen's palace?

The Queen's first corgi was a gift from her father, George VI. The future British favorite received this unique surprise on her coming of age. The dog was named Susan, lived a long life, and produced a litter of 30 beautiful puppies. The Queen preferred not to sell the puppies, but rather gave them to friends or kept them at the palace.

In 2009, the Queen stopped breeding corgis after some of her pets were diagnosed with cancer. Since this disease can be hereditary, Elizabeth II decided to break the chain.

The Queen currently has four dogs in her care: Emma, ​​Swift, Pharos, and Linnet. She is so close to her pets that she often takes them out and about with her, and they always travel with her. The Queen's beloved dogs are comfortable in carriages, limousines, and even at social events.

Buckingham Palace has a special apartment for dogs, including a dressing room and bathroom. The bedroom for the royal Pembroke Welsh Corgis has everything they need for a comfortable stay. It's furnished with wicker baskets and an abundance of silk pillows. Queen Elizabeth II's pack also has a separate schedule. They are served their morning meal by 5 a.m. It's no wonder that these four, and all their predecessors, have had their own chef. Therefore, the royal dogs are safe from obesity, as their diet is balanced and healthy. And they eat from porcelain dishes.

After death, all royal dogs are buried in the palace park with full honors. Susan, the founder of all Buckingham's corgi line, died at age 15, and her tombstone bears a touching inscription: "Susan, the Queen's faithful companion."

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