Isabel and the royal canine companions
Isabel had a lifelong affection for dogs, a passion that mattered almost as much as horses. In 1944, when she was still a young princess, her parents gave her a corgi, starting a long line of canine companionship that would become inseparable from the royal image. Over the years, the monarch’s affection for dogs grew into a symbol of the era, and the corgis earned a place in the public’s imagination as the court’s beloved dogs.
During Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign, these little dogs—affectionately called the queen’s dogs—accompanied her on milestones and in quiet moments alike. The first of her dogs, a bitch named Susan, accompanied her on her honeymoon and later became a fixture in archival footage and newspaper libraries from that period.
Elizabeth II with her first corgi, Susan, remains a defining image in royal canine history.
The corgis are noted for their small size, sturdy build, and distinctive appearance. They stand out with their compact frames and lively expressions, often described as having a sheepdog character in a much smaller package.
When she reached the age of ninety, the queen stepped back from breeding. Willow, the last of her corgi line, marked the end of a dynasty that began with Susan. In a notable moment, during Prince Philip’s hospital stay, her grandson Andrew gifted two small dorgis—cross breeds of corgi and dachshund—continuing the royal tradition of canine companionship in a new form.
This blend of corgi and dorgi continued to reflect the queen’s fondness for small, spirited dogs that could share life inside royal rooms and gardens alike.
Carlos III will be proclaimed king this Saturday by the Council of Ascension
Drawing attention to the present and future of the royal family, the proclamation marks a new chapter in the monarchy’s long history of canine associations and ceremonial duties.
a room of its own
Among the queen’s adopted dogs, the royal canines enjoyed spaces and care that reflected their special status. In the palace, royal corgis often had dedicated attendants and a comfortable resting place, underscoring the affection the royal household held for its canine members.
Corgis and dorgis were not the only dogs under the crown’s care. Elizabeth II also looked after cocker spaniels and Labradors, and she sometimes welcomed dogs from troubled pasts into the royal dwelling. In a few cases, a dog like corgi whisper would pass into the queen’s hands after the loss of a staff member, joining a lineage of animals tied to royal life.
characteristic
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the breed most associated with the queen. It is a small dog with short legs and a foxlike face. The coat is straight, of medium length, and highly water resistant. Colors range widely, from brown and white to cinnamon, sand, and sometimes black. Adult corgis typically measure between 25 and 30 centimeters at the shoulder; males usually weigh 10 to 12 kilograms, females 9 to 11 kilograms.
Partners in film and television
Elizabeth II’s corgis did more than pose for official photographs. They often appeared in royal portraits and family moments, and they even shared the screen in promotional materials for films featuring the monarch. In 2012, a corgi companion joined a promotion with James Bond actor Daniel Craig.
Beyond promotional uses, Elizabeth’s corgis and dorgis became part of the broader storytelling of her life on film and television. The Crown on Netflix continues to chronicle moments at Buckingham Palace that include the presence of these dogs, and the royal canines remain a recognizable facet of the queen’s daily life as depicted on screen.
And if a dog breed accompanies the on-screen queen, the canine presence can carry significant weight in a portrayal, underscoring the bond between the monarch and her animals.