Royal Dogs in History: From Ancient to Modern Times

From ancient times, royal dogs have played a significant role in the lives of monarchs and their families. The Egyptians revered dogs as sacred animals, often mummifying them and burying them with their owners to ensure a comfortable afterlife.

The ancient Greeks and Romans also valued dogs as loyal companions, with the Greeks even worshipping the dog-headed god Anubis. In fact, the Romans were known to have kept dogs as guard animals, using them to protect their homes and families.

One of the most famous royal dogs in history is Laika, the Soviet space dog who became the first animal to orbit the Earth in 1957. Laika's bravery paved the way for future human spaceflight, and she remains a beloved figure in space exploration history.

In modern times, royal dogs continue to be cherished members of royal families, with many serving as official mascots and companions. The British Royal Family, for example, has a long history of keeping dogs as beloved pets, with Queen Elizabeth II's corgis being a particular favorite among the public.

The British royal family has a long history of keeping pets, with Queen Victoria being a notable example. She had over 30 dogs, including a favorite Pomeranian named Turi.

The Queen's love for dogs was passed down to her descendants, with Queen Elizabeth II having more than 30 corgis during her reign. These dogs were not just pets, but also working animals, helping the Queen with her daily tasks.

Many royal pets have been given special treatment, with some even having their own staff and living quarters.

In ancient China, dogs were a symbol of good luck and prosperity. They were often kept as pets by royalty, who believed that dogs had the power to ward off evil spirits.

The ancient Chinese thought of dogs as loyal companions and often depicted them in art and literature. The famous Pekingese breed was a favorite among the royal family, with Empress Wu Zetian being particularly fond of them.

Empress Wu Zetian was known to have dressed her Pekingese dogs in elaborate clothes and jewelry, showing just how much she cherished them.

During the Middle Ages, dogs were essential for hunting, a popular pastime among the nobility in England.

King Edward III, who ruled from 1327 to 1377, was particularly fond of hunting with his pack of greyhounds, which were specially bred for the sport.

The royal greyhounds were so highly valued that laws were passed to protect them from theft and harm.

King Henry VIII was also known for his love of hunting, and he kept a pack of hunting dogs to accompany him on his hunts.

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The Victorian era was a time of great love for dogs among the royal family. Queen Victoria, in particular, was an avid dog lover who owned many different breeds.

Her favorite breed was the Pomeranian, which she received as a gift from her cousin, King Frederick William IV of Prussia. The Pomeranian, named Turi, was said to have accompanied the Queen everywhere, even on her travels abroad.

Queen Victoria was so famous for her love of dogs that she was gifted a Pekingese dog from the Chinese Imperial Court. This was a significant gesture, reflecting the high esteem in which the Queen was held by foreign leaders.

For more insights, see: Pomeranian Dog History

In the early 20th century, King Edward VII was known for his love of Terriers. He owned several Terriers, including Caesar, who famously accompanied him to his coronation in 1902.

Caesar was a beloved pet, but sadly, he passed away shortly after the coronation.

Toy Spaniels have been a favorite among European royalty for centuries. They've been a popular breed since at least Tudor times.

One of the most beloved Toy Spaniels was Queen Victoria's pet Dash, given to her on her 17th birthday. He was a loyal companion and even had his own epitaph after he passed away in 1840.

Dash's epitaph is a testament to his wonderful nature: "His attachment was without selfishness, His playfulness without malice, His fidelity without deceit." It's clear that Dash was a very special dog.

Queen Victoria's love for Toy Spaniels didn't stop with Dash - she also had a Pomeranian named Turi, who accompanied her everywhere, even on her travels abroad.

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Princess Elizabeth received her first corgi, Susan, as a gift for her 18th birthday in 1944.

Susan was a Pembroke Corgi and was a constant companion to Elizabeth for many years, even accompanying her and Prince Philip on their honeymoon.

Susan had two puppies, Sugar and Honey, a year after Elizabeth gave birth to Prince Charles. Sugar became a nursery pet for Prince Charles and Princess Anne, while Honey belonged to the Queen's mother.

After a long and happy life, Susan died at Sandringham in January 1959 and was buried in Queen Victoria's pet cemetery.

The initial gravestone inscription for Susan read "Susan / died 26 Jan 1959 / for 15 years the faithful companion of the Queen" but was later adjusted to read "for almost 15 years" after the Queen realized Susan's birthdate was incorrect.

The history of royal dogs is a fascinating one, and some breeds have had a particularly close relationship with royalty. Beagles, for instance, were bred to be excellent hunting dogs and have been favored by royalty since the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Their small size and big hunting spirit made them a popular choice, with King Henry VII of England keeping "glove beagles" for hunting. These tiny beagles were so small they could fit into the palm of a leather glove!

Bichon Frises, on the other hand, have been a favorite of European royalty for centuries. They were adopted by royal women, men, and children, and often appeared in portraits of royalty, looking fabulously attired. King Henry III of France loved them so much that he kept a few around his neck in a little ribbon-adorned basket.

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Beagles have a rich history that's deeply connected to royalty. They were bred to be excellent hunting dogs and their ancestors were brought to England by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest in 1066.

King Henry VII of England kept beagles so small that they could fit into the palm of a leather glove, known as "glove beagles", for hunting.

The Shih Tzu has a rich history as a "lion dog" that dates back many dynasties in China. They've often been symbolic gifts to the imperial leaders of China.

Their imperial history is impressive, reaching back to periods where they were carried in the sleeves of Chinese royalty. Some periods saw them being carried in the sleeves of Chinese royalty.

The Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi, who ruled China from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, was a particular fan of the Shih Tzu.

The Great Pyrenees is known as the "royal dog of France" due to its long history of importance to French royalty.

They were discovered by French nobility in the 17th century.

Louis XIV declared them the "royal dog" in 1675, showing just how much he loved them.

The Great Pyrenees were adopted as guard dogs for the chateaux and elaborate palaces of the period.

For more insights, see: History of Great Danes Dogs

The Corgi is a beloved breed that has been associated with the British Royal Family since the early 1930s. The first Corgi owned by the Royal Family was given to Queen Elizabeth II as a gift in 1933.

Queen Elizabeth II became a devoted Corgi owner and owned over 30 of them throughout her reign. The Queen's love of Corgis started with a British nobleman named Thomas Henry Thynne, whose children had a pair of Corgis as pets that the young Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret fell in love with.

The Queen Mother reportedly picked out the first Corgi, Dookie, because of his slightly longer tail, remarking, "so that we can see whether he is pleased or not." Dookie holds the honor of being the first of many Welsh Corgis owned by the royal family.

Dookie was joined by another Corgi named Jane, and the royal family took great care of their pets, with the children's job being to brush and exercise them. Unfortunately, Jane died in 1944 after being accidentally run over by a car.

The Queen's Corgis have had a palace life that's truly regal, sleeping in wicker baskets in a "corgi room" and dining on steak and chicken. They even traveled with the Queen to her various homes.

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