Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain as well as Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. She also adopted the additional title of Empress of India on 1 May 1876.
She was also a loving and caring woman and had a number of pets whom she treasured dearly. When her husband, Prince Albert died, her love for animals helped her heal emotionally. Here are some of Queen Victoria’s Royal Pets:
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Victoria Royal Pets: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dash
The childhood of Victoria had been lonely as well as brutal as her mother had an overbearing control.
Her love and companionship of her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dash was clearly shown. Sir John Conroy gifted her dog in 1833.
Victoria Royal Pets: Nero, Hector, Eos, and Lory
Dash passed away after the marriage of Victoria and Albert in 1840. Victoria also had an association of Nero, a greyhound, and Hector, a large Mastiff. When Albert moved to England he brought a greyhound from Germany whose name was Eos from Germany.
They also had a parrot named Lory. In 1837 when she conquered the accession to the throne, she was gifted with a pair of goats by the Shah of Iran from which a royal goat herd was established at Windsor Castle.
Goats from this herd went on to become regimental mascots for such units as the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Royal Pets: Shetland ponies (Alma and Flora), Picco and Jacquot
A pair of Shetland ponies (Alma and Flora) was also presented by King Victor Emmanuel to her. Moreover, she also owned Picco which was a Sardinian pony, and a donkey named Jacquot.
John Brown Pet Horse
She used to ride regularly. By after the death of his husband, Victoria experienced a great depression and a long period of mourning.
To bring her out of her bad mood, a Scottish gillie named John Brown at Balmoral Castle was engaged. This horse really helped her to bring her back to a normal state.
Dash, Turri Pet Dogs
Victoria had a great love for her dogs. This is proved by the diary entry written on the day of her coronation as Queen of England.
It is stated in her diary entry that she came home and gave Dash a bath, through various collies, terriers, greyhounds, and Pomeranians, and to her final breath, she loved her dogs.
Another incident that shows her love for her dogs is that when she was dying in 1901 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, she made a last request to have her favorite Pomeranian named Turri placed beside her on the bed.
The Legend of Islay
The much-loved companion of Queen Victoria was Islay for only five years. As he was involved in a dispute with a cat, it led to his death on 26 April 1844.
According to Queen Victoria, Islay was a very loyal pet and that is why he was her favorite. Whenever Islay used to see Queen Victoria he would sit up and beg for a biscuit.
Queen Victoria, as well as Sir Edwin Landseer, also made the painting of Islay. He is buried in Adelaide Cottage, Windsor Castle.
Queen Victoria’s Beloved Pomeranian dogs
During the springtime in 1888 when she visited Florence, Italy, she fell in love with a beautiful male with auburn hair. No, we are not talking about her husband, Albert but about Volpino Italiano.
He was a dog with a cute little nose and big intelligent eyes. After seeing these dogs, she used to get reminded of her grandmother.
Victorias Royal Pets
The Pomeranians were the Queen’s new love of her life. She introduced four new members to the Royal household—Marco, Gina, and two others. Marco and Gina both won prizes in the show ring.
Due to the powerful influence of Queen Victoria on popular culture made Pomeranians became one of the most fashionable toy breeds, especially like Marco which was the smaller, red-coated ones. At one point in time, Queen Victoria had 35 Pomeranians in the royal kennels.
In 1891, she showed six of the dogs at the opening of Cruft’s—now the world’s largest international dog show—their names were Fluffy, Nino, Mino, Beppo, Gilda, and Lulu.
Queen Victoria’s Pugs Pets
Queen Victoria was also very famous as a royal enthusiast. She had 36 pugs.
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