The True Story Of The Queen's Most Constant Companions
On September 8, 2022, the whole world mourned the passing of one of the longest-serving monarchs in history. Queen Elizabeth II, easily one of the most beloved figures of our age, will be remembered for many things — not least her famous fondness for corgi dogs. She owned more than 30 of them in her lifetime. But how did this lifelong passion begin? And what happens to them now?
It’s complicated
Although Elizabeth is closely associated with her corgis, there are a few things that you should know. Most importantly, not all of them were actually corgis. Some were in fact so-called “dorgis” — which are corgi and dachshund cross-breeds. Secondly, it’s not that easy to keep track of them. It’s not as though she publicly shared details about her pets.
The dog mystery
On the other hand, we do know that she most likely had four dogs at the time of her death. But what most people don’t realize is that one of these four dogs was actually a cocker spaniel named Lissy. Then we have a couple of regular Pembroke Welsh corgis, Sandy and Muick, and an older dorgi, known as Candy.
How it all began
Amazingly, the late Queen’s relationship with corgis goes way back to the 1930s. Elizabeth is the first U.K. monarch to show such fondness for this type of. George VI and his wife Elizabeth got a young male puppy from breeder Thelma Gray in 1933. Named Dookie, he was the first of the royal corgis. This was the then-princess’ first exposure to this fine breed.
There was another
There was also another corgi named Jane that Gray gave them back in the 1930s. The poor Dookie passed away some time at the beginning of World War II. The family, though, was fortunate enough to have another puppy from Jane, named Crackers. Unfortunately in 1944 Jane was accidentally run over, a trauma which deeply affected Elizabeth. Still, she forgave the driver and acknowledged that it wasn’t his fault.
