CORGIS IN THE NEWS
Her Majesty the Corgi Whisperer
Californian cowboy who became a close adviser to the Queen tells of her remarkable affinity with animals: By Elizabeth Sanderson PUBLISHED: 18:11 EST, 12 May 2012
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2143588/Her-Majesty-Corgi-Whisperer-Californian-cowboy-closer-adviser-Queen-tells-remarkable-affinity-animals.html#ixzz1vihwCpal
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2143588/Her-Majesty-Corgi-Whisperer-Californian-cowboy-closer-adviser-Queen-tells-remarkable-affinity-animals.html#ixzz1vihwCpal
More interest shown in Queen's dogs
The Queen's favourite dog has seen a boost in popularity in the Diamond Jubilee year, according to the
Kennel Club. An increasing number of people are showing an interest in corgi breeds after a long period of "worrying decline",
the organisation said. The number of people looking for Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies, the Queen's favourite breed, has increased by more than a third (37%) in the past four months, statistics from the Find a Puppy website show.
A total of 5,783 people have searched for the dog on the website, which details breeds for sale across
the country, since the beginning of the year. There has also been a 10% increase
in the number of Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies registered with the Kennel Club in
the first three months of 2012, compared with the same time last year. Searches
for the Cardigan Welsh corgi, an endangered breed which is cousin to the Queen's Pembroke Welsh
corgis, on the Find a Puppy website have soared by 59% in the first four months of 2012 compared with the last four months of last year.
In total, 2231 people
have searched for Cardigan Welsh corgi puppies. The breed is one of 29 native
dogs considered vulnerable to disappearing because fewer than 300 puppiesare registered a year. But puppy
registrations for Cardigan Welsh corgis have increased, with 17 new dogs
registered in the first quarter of the year, compared with 10 for the same
period in 2011.
Last year the breed
topped the 100-mark for the first time in a decade, with 108 puppies
registered.
Kennel Club. An increasing number of people are showing an interest in corgi breeds after a long period of "worrying decline",
the organisation said. The number of people looking for Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies, the Queen's favourite breed, has increased by more than a third (37%) in the past four months, statistics from the Find a Puppy website show.
A total of 5,783 people have searched for the dog on the website, which details breeds for sale across
the country, since the beginning of the year. There has also been a 10% increase
in the number of Pembroke Welsh corgi puppies registered with the Kennel Club in
the first three months of 2012, compared with the same time last year. Searches
for the Cardigan Welsh corgi, an endangered breed which is cousin to the Queen's Pembroke Welsh
corgis, on the Find a Puppy website have soared by 59% in the first four months of 2012 compared with the last four months of last year.
In total, 2231 people
have searched for Cardigan Welsh corgi puppies. The breed is one of 29 native
dogs considered vulnerable to disappearing because fewer than 300 puppiesare registered a year. But puppy
registrations for Cardigan Welsh corgis have increased, with 17 new dogs
registered in the first quarter of the year, compared with 10 for the same
period in 2011.
Last year the breed
topped the 100-mark for the first time in a decade, with 108 puppies
registered.
Diamond Jubilee sees increase in pet Corgis
They're the loyalist of subjects.
Content to trot dutifully behind their Queen, the royal corgis are her most
faithful four-legged friends. Now Diamond Jubilee fervour has boosted demand for the patriotic pooches.
According to the Kennel Club, popularity of Pembroke Welsh corgis, the Queen's preferred breed, rose by a third this year. Christine Corbett, from Elmstone Hardwicke, has owned corgis for more than 20 years. Her son Neil, 35, has a corgi, Charlie, and Christine's just taken on her latest new puppy Harvey.
"Corgis sometimes have a bit of a bad reputation – but you have to treat them
like a person, with love and affection, then they'll give it back," she
said. "It's their loving nature I adore – they will sit at the back door waiting
until I get home.
"I can't really say a bad word against them and I love watching them playing
by chasing each other." "I've always found them to be lovely dogs. The size is ideal because I don't
want a big dog." She was won over by her first corgi Jess, who died aged 13 in November, and
went on to get current dog Cadie, now 13. She acquired puppy Harvey to keep Cadie company.
"We love going car racing and we've got a camper van specially for the dogs, who needed comfort and their own individual spaces," she said.Christine's vet Dan Farmer, from Honeybourne veterinary surgery, in Cheltenham, warned that some corgis could have a bad temperament – although he admitted it may be that they were just afraid of seeing a vet.
"In my experience, they can be a little bit grumpy, so it would be wise to
choose carefully from a breeder whose own dogs are to be trusted," he said.
"They were originally bred as cattle dogs, where nipping heels is part of the
job description.
"I understand the Queen has had a little bit of trouble with hers." The Queen owns corgis Monty, Willow and Holly.
And the pampered pets have gained a bad name for terrorising footmen, driving Prince Philip mad and knocking butler Paul Burrell down the stairs. The Queen's father King George VI introduced the breed to the family, buying
one named Dookie in 1933. Her Majesty was given a corgi named Susan for her 18th birthday, from whom
numerous successive dogs were bred.
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: "Sadly dog breeds go in and out of
fashion, so after a long period of worrying decline for the corgi breeds, it's
reassuring to see an increase in numbers.
"It is a wonderful tribute to the Queen that the popularity of her chosen
breed and its cousin, the Cardigan Welsh corgi, has increased in her Diamond
Jubilee year."
Content to trot dutifully behind their Queen, the royal corgis are her most
faithful four-legged friends. Now Diamond Jubilee fervour has boosted demand for the patriotic pooches.
According to the Kennel Club, popularity of Pembroke Welsh corgis, the Queen's preferred breed, rose by a third this year. Christine Corbett, from Elmstone Hardwicke, has owned corgis for more than 20 years. Her son Neil, 35, has a corgi, Charlie, and Christine's just taken on her latest new puppy Harvey.
"Corgis sometimes have a bit of a bad reputation – but you have to treat them
like a person, with love and affection, then they'll give it back," she
said. "It's their loving nature I adore – they will sit at the back door waiting
until I get home.
"I can't really say a bad word against them and I love watching them playing
by chasing each other." "I've always found them to be lovely dogs. The size is ideal because I don't
want a big dog." She was won over by her first corgi Jess, who died aged 13 in November, and
went on to get current dog Cadie, now 13. She acquired puppy Harvey to keep Cadie company.
"We love going car racing and we've got a camper van specially for the dogs, who needed comfort and their own individual spaces," she said.Christine's vet Dan Farmer, from Honeybourne veterinary surgery, in Cheltenham, warned that some corgis could have a bad temperament – although he admitted it may be that they were just afraid of seeing a vet.
"In my experience, they can be a little bit grumpy, so it would be wise to
choose carefully from a breeder whose own dogs are to be trusted," he said.
"They were originally bred as cattle dogs, where nipping heels is part of the
job description.
"I understand the Queen has had a little bit of trouble with hers." The Queen owns corgis Monty, Willow and Holly.
And the pampered pets have gained a bad name for terrorising footmen, driving Prince Philip mad and knocking butler Paul Burrell down the stairs. The Queen's father King George VI introduced the breed to the family, buying
one named Dookie in 1933. Her Majesty was given a corgi named Susan for her 18th birthday, from whom
numerous successive dogs were bred.
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: "Sadly dog breeds go in and out of
fashion, so after a long period of worrying decline for the corgi breeds, it's
reassuring to see an increase in numbers.
"It is a wonderful tribute to the Queen that the popularity of her chosen
breed and its cousin, the Cardigan Welsh corgi, has increased in her Diamond
Jubilee year."
The Royal Pets
Over the years, the Royal Family seem to have embraced dogs as their favoured
pets. Formal portraits from the 17th century onwards show kings, queens and
their children happily posing with their beloved animals, from pugs to
greyhounds, King Charles Spaniels to Corgis.
Some pets have even merited their own portraits, and, as in many households,
were considered very much members of the family. When Queen Victoria’s beloved
Collie, Noble, died at Balmoral in 1887, he was buried in the grounds of the
castle and given his own gravestone, which read:
'Noble by name by nature noble too
Faithful companion sympathetic
true
His remains are interred here'
A terrier named Caesar belonging to King Edward VII was given even greater
status when, having outlived the king, he walked behind His Majesty’s coffin in
the funeral procession.
The current Queen is, of course, associated with the Corgi. The breed was
introduced to the Royal Family by her father, King George VI, in 1933 when he
bought a Corgi called Dookie from a local kennels. The animal proved popular
with his daughters and was described as ‘unquestionably the character of the
Princesses’ delightful canine family’ and ‘a born sentimentalist’. A second
Corgi was acquired called Jane who had puppies, two of which, Crackers and
Carol, were kept.
For her eighteenth birthday, The Queen was given a Corgi named Susan from
whom numerous successive dogs were bred. Some Corgis were mated with dachsunds
(most notably Pipkin, who belonged to Princess Margaret) to create
‘Dorgis’.
At present, The Queen owns three Corgis: Monty, Willow and Holly and three
Dorgis: Cider, Candy and Vulcan.
The Queen’s corgis travel with her to the various residences, with Her
Majesty looking after them herself as much as possible given her busy
schedule.
Other members of the Royal Family own dogs of various breeds. The Duchess of
Cornwall owns two Jack Russell terriers, Tosca and Rosie.
pets. Formal portraits from the 17th century onwards show kings, queens and
their children happily posing with their beloved animals, from pugs to
greyhounds, King Charles Spaniels to Corgis.
Some pets have even merited their own portraits, and, as in many households,
were considered very much members of the family. When Queen Victoria’s beloved
Collie, Noble, died at Balmoral in 1887, he was buried in the grounds of the
castle and given his own gravestone, which read:
'Noble by name by nature noble too
Faithful companion sympathetic
true
His remains are interred here'
A terrier named Caesar belonging to King Edward VII was given even greater
status when, having outlived the king, he walked behind His Majesty’s coffin in
the funeral procession.
The current Queen is, of course, associated with the Corgi. The breed was
introduced to the Royal Family by her father, King George VI, in 1933 when he
bought a Corgi called Dookie from a local kennels. The animal proved popular
with his daughters and was described as ‘unquestionably the character of the
Princesses’ delightful canine family’ and ‘a born sentimentalist’. A second
Corgi was acquired called Jane who had puppies, two of which, Crackers and
Carol, were kept.
For her eighteenth birthday, The Queen was given a Corgi named Susan from
whom numerous successive dogs were bred. Some Corgis were mated with dachsunds
(most notably Pipkin, who belonged to Princess Margaret) to create
‘Dorgis’.
At present, The Queen owns three Corgis: Monty, Willow and Holly and three
Dorgis: Cider, Candy and Vulcan.
The Queen’s corgis travel with her to the various residences, with Her
Majesty looking after them herself as much as possible given her busy
schedule.
Other members of the Royal Family own dogs of various breeds. The Duchess of
Cornwall owns two Jack Russell terriers, Tosca and Rosie.
|
|
Warm welcome for the Queen in Sherborne
THOUSANDS of people flocked to Sherborne to welcome the Queen to Dorset on
Tuesday. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were visiting the town as part of the
South West stage of their Diamond Jubilee tour, which went on to Salisbury in
the afternoon and then to Yeovil and Crewkerne on Wednesday. he royal party was
greeted by crowds of well-wishers, many of whom had braved several hours of wet weather
to secure prime spots around Sherborne Abbey. The showers eased as the Queen and
Duke of Edinburgh visited a Mad Hatter's tea party attended by local schoolchildren.
The Queen then visited a food fair on the Abbey Green while the duke toured an
exhibition featuring works by craftspeople, including stonemasons and woodworkers, in the abbey.
The royal party then travelled to the Digby Memorial Church Hall in Digby
Road for a 1952-themed coffee morning with guests and staff from residential
homes across Dorset.
It was a memorable day for the Badham-Thornhill family from Holton and their
corgis Floss, Millie and Mole. A member of the royal party spotted the patriotic
corgis in their red, white and blue tinsel and ushered them to the front of the
crowd so they could meet the Queen.
Tom Badham-Thornhill said: "The Queen came over to talk to us and told us how
much she liked Sherborne - especially as the rain had stopped.
"We had hoped the corgis would get noticed but we never expected to get that
close. It was a great experience and I am glad to have played a tiny part in the
Jubilee celebration."
Brett Sutton, head chef at Sherborne's Eastbury Hotel, also got to speak with
the Queen when he presented her with a hamper full of local produce during the
food fair.
"The Queen was very chatty and was very interested to hear about local
sourcing. She was surprised that the hamper was hers to take away, and we were
assured that she would be eating Dorset sausages, bacon and eggs for breakfast
the following morning.
"It was a very special day and a great honour," Mr Sutton said.
Jacqui Baker spent two months organising the working exhibition in Sherborne
Abbey, and said she was delighted that hundreds of people made time to browse
after the royal visit.
Mrs Baker explained that the Duke of Edinburgh was presented with an icon
painted by iconographer John Coleman, who was not well enough to attend.
"The duke spoke with every exhibitor and asked some very pertinent
questions," she said.
"It was wonderful. The rain stopped the moment the Queen got off the train
and she looked glorious in fuchsia pink.
"It was such a wonderful day for Sherborne and I feel very privileged to have
been involved with it."
Pictures by Ian Sumner
Tuesday. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were visiting the town as part of the
South West stage of their Diamond Jubilee tour, which went on to Salisbury in
the afternoon and then to Yeovil and Crewkerne on Wednesday. he royal party was
greeted by crowds of well-wishers, many of whom had braved several hours of wet weather
to secure prime spots around Sherborne Abbey. The showers eased as the Queen and
Duke of Edinburgh visited a Mad Hatter's tea party attended by local schoolchildren.
The Queen then visited a food fair on the Abbey Green while the duke toured an
exhibition featuring works by craftspeople, including stonemasons and woodworkers, in the abbey.
The royal party then travelled to the Digby Memorial Church Hall in Digby
Road for a 1952-themed coffee morning with guests and staff from residential
homes across Dorset.
It was a memorable day for the Badham-Thornhill family from Holton and their
corgis Floss, Millie and Mole. A member of the royal party spotted the patriotic
corgis in their red, white and blue tinsel and ushered them to the front of the
crowd so they could meet the Queen.
Tom Badham-Thornhill said: "The Queen came over to talk to us and told us how
much she liked Sherborne - especially as the rain had stopped.
"We had hoped the corgis would get noticed but we never expected to get that
close. It was a great experience and I am glad to have played a tiny part in the
Jubilee celebration."
Brett Sutton, head chef at Sherborne's Eastbury Hotel, also got to speak with
the Queen when he presented her with a hamper full of local produce during the
food fair.
"The Queen was very chatty and was very interested to hear about local
sourcing. She was surprised that the hamper was hers to take away, and we were
assured that she would be eating Dorset sausages, bacon and eggs for breakfast
the following morning.
"It was a very special day and a great honour," Mr Sutton said.
Jacqui Baker spent two months organising the working exhibition in Sherborne
Abbey, and said she was delighted that hundreds of people made time to browse
after the royal visit.
Mrs Baker explained that the Duke of Edinburgh was presented with an icon
painted by iconographer John Coleman, who was not well enough to attend.
"The duke spoke with every exhibitor and asked some very pertinent
questions," she said.
"It was wonderful. The rain stopped the moment the Queen got off the train
and she looked glorious in fuchsia pink.
"It was such a wonderful day for Sherborne and I feel very privileged to have
been involved with it."
Pictures by Ian Sumner
MODERN DOG MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Pembroke Welsh Corgi By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen
By Marian Buechert | Photographs by Deborah Samuel
“Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to HM The Queen…. Warrants have always been regarded as demonstrating excellence and quality, and are highly prized.”—The Royal Warrant Holders Association
When Dookie the Pembroke Welsh Corgi entered King George VI’s household in 1933, a gift to the then-Princess Elizabeth, he inspired a lifelong bond between the future queen and the breed that has spanned almost 80 years and, while not officially recognized with a royal warrant (after all—warrants are issued only to tradespeople! Sniff!), has certainly fixed the royal seal of approval on the Corgi. Her Majesty prizes her Corgis so highly, in fact, that they are permitted the run of the palace, providing companionship for the queen during her daily activities, and appearing in many photos of Her Majesty and the royal family. The queen, it is said, prepares food for her dogs with her own hands and feeds them herself.
Surprisingly, the Corgi’s roots lie not in marble halls and gilded bedchambers but in the mud-and-manure-caked corrals and dirt-floored huts of 12th-century Wales. Setting aside the charming but unlikely folktale of children finding puppies left by fairies in the woods, the true story of the Pembroke Corgi’s background is almost as hard to pin down. As with many ancient working breeds, there is little direct evidence in word or picture to prove how the Corgi came to be; unlike the pets of aristocrats, working dogs were largely undocumented and tended to be lumped together as “curs”—not a derogatory term in those times, but simply used to distinguish ordinary canines from dogs of high breeding.
One theory is that the name corgi derives from cur; another that the name was a blending of the Welsh cor (dwarf) and ci (dog). Dwarf dogs they were, bred low but fast to work cattle and other livestock, and to kill rats in home and stable.
The Pembroke’s northern cousin, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, is likely the older of the two breeds, but whether the Cardigan is an ancestor of the Pembroke, or whether the breeds evolved separately from very different canine ancestry, is debatable. Whatever the case, the two Corgis are similar in appearance to a casual observer, but do have distinct characteristics.
The Pembroke is shorter and trimmer, with upright, pointed ears and a sharp muzzle contributing to a “fox-like” face. The Cardigan is sturdier in body and head, with larger, more rounded ears sitting lower on the head. It also sports a long, bushy tail, while the Pembroke’s tail should be very short. The more popular of the two at 27th ranking in American Kennel Club registrations vs 86th for the Cardigan, the Pembroke must be red, fawn, sable, or black and tan, with optional white markings. The Cardigan may be any colour except white.
The Pembroke Corgi should be double-coated, with a thick, soft undercoat and coarser guard hairs on the outside. Some Pembrokes, known as “fluffies,” are born with an extra-long and soft coat. This does not mean the dog cannot be a wonderful companion, but it is considered a serious fault in a show or breeding dog, and fluffies should not be sold as rare (i.e., high-priced) individuals.
The two Corgis share a heritage of farm duties, but the Pembroke is said to be livelier and busier. Deborah S. Harper, author of The New Complete Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Howell; 1979), writes: “…the [Pembroke] Corgi is an energetic dog, full of life, quick in movement and mind….Yet, while a Corgi is always ready for the task at hand… he does not indulge in tiresome perpetual motion.” In his Why We Love the Dogs We Do (Free Press; 1998), Stanley Coren includes Corgis in the “Clever Dogs” group, and writes: “These intelligent dogs have a work ethic and willingness to learn that make them the easiest breeds to train….[they] are most often successful when complex activities have to be learned.”
Many Corgis will show a tendency to herd and guard—not surprising considering their heritage—but which may lead to behaviour problems if not controlled and channeled through socialization and training. Gossip has it that even the queen has difficulty with her nippy dogs on occasion.
The breed is generally sturdy and healthy, typically living up to 15 years. As in many other breeds, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (an eye abnormality), and von Willebrand’s disease (VWD; a blood clotting disorder) are genetic issues being addressed by responsible breeders. While most Corgis can run, jump, and twist well enough to herd cattle or compete in agility, some are afflicted with disc (back) problems and those dogs will need to lead quieter lives. As stated on the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Canada website: “Keeping your Corgi fit and in good weight will help avoid many health problems.”
Although hobnobbing with bluebloods may be all in a day’s work for some Pembroke Welsh Corgis, sadly, none has ever been granted the title of prince. Yet, the cur dog with humble roots may still be laughing all the way to Buckingham Palace, as the Prince of Wales is merely a king in waiting, while the Corgi was long ago crowned as monarch over the queen’s heart—By Appointment to Her Majesty.
By Marian Buechert | Photographs by Deborah Samuel
“Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to HM The Queen…. Warrants have always been regarded as demonstrating excellence and quality, and are highly prized.”—The Royal Warrant Holders Association
When Dookie the Pembroke Welsh Corgi entered King George VI’s household in 1933, a gift to the then-Princess Elizabeth, he inspired a lifelong bond between the future queen and the breed that has spanned almost 80 years and, while not officially recognized with a royal warrant (after all—warrants are issued only to tradespeople! Sniff!), has certainly fixed the royal seal of approval on the Corgi. Her Majesty prizes her Corgis so highly, in fact, that they are permitted the run of the palace, providing companionship for the queen during her daily activities, and appearing in many photos of Her Majesty and the royal family. The queen, it is said, prepares food for her dogs with her own hands and feeds them herself.
Surprisingly, the Corgi’s roots lie not in marble halls and gilded bedchambers but in the mud-and-manure-caked corrals and dirt-floored huts of 12th-century Wales. Setting aside the charming but unlikely folktale of children finding puppies left by fairies in the woods, the true story of the Pembroke Corgi’s background is almost as hard to pin down. As with many ancient working breeds, there is little direct evidence in word or picture to prove how the Corgi came to be; unlike the pets of aristocrats, working dogs were largely undocumented and tended to be lumped together as “curs”—not a derogatory term in those times, but simply used to distinguish ordinary canines from dogs of high breeding.
One theory is that the name corgi derives from cur; another that the name was a blending of the Welsh cor (dwarf) and ci (dog). Dwarf dogs they were, bred low but fast to work cattle and other livestock, and to kill rats in home and stable.
The Pembroke’s northern cousin, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, is likely the older of the two breeds, but whether the Cardigan is an ancestor of the Pembroke, or whether the breeds evolved separately from very different canine ancestry, is debatable. Whatever the case, the two Corgis are similar in appearance to a casual observer, but do have distinct characteristics.
The Pembroke is shorter and trimmer, with upright, pointed ears and a sharp muzzle contributing to a “fox-like” face. The Cardigan is sturdier in body and head, with larger, more rounded ears sitting lower on the head. It also sports a long, bushy tail, while the Pembroke’s tail should be very short. The more popular of the two at 27th ranking in American Kennel Club registrations vs 86th for the Cardigan, the Pembroke must be red, fawn, sable, or black and tan, with optional white markings. The Cardigan may be any colour except white.
The Pembroke Corgi should be double-coated, with a thick, soft undercoat and coarser guard hairs on the outside. Some Pembrokes, known as “fluffies,” are born with an extra-long and soft coat. This does not mean the dog cannot be a wonderful companion, but it is considered a serious fault in a show or breeding dog, and fluffies should not be sold as rare (i.e., high-priced) individuals.
The two Corgis share a heritage of farm duties, but the Pembroke is said to be livelier and busier. Deborah S. Harper, author of The New Complete Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Howell; 1979), writes: “…the [Pembroke] Corgi is an energetic dog, full of life, quick in movement and mind….Yet, while a Corgi is always ready for the task at hand… he does not indulge in tiresome perpetual motion.” In his Why We Love the Dogs We Do (Free Press; 1998), Stanley Coren includes Corgis in the “Clever Dogs” group, and writes: “These intelligent dogs have a work ethic and willingness to learn that make them the easiest breeds to train….[they] are most often successful when complex activities have to be learned.”
Many Corgis will show a tendency to herd and guard—not surprising considering their heritage—but which may lead to behaviour problems if not controlled and channeled through socialization and training. Gossip has it that even the queen has difficulty with her nippy dogs on occasion.
The breed is generally sturdy and healthy, typically living up to 15 years. As in many other breeds, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (an eye abnormality), and von Willebrand’s disease (VWD; a blood clotting disorder) are genetic issues being addressed by responsible breeders. While most Corgis can run, jump, and twist well enough to herd cattle or compete in agility, some are afflicted with disc (back) problems and those dogs will need to lead quieter lives. As stated on the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Canada website: “Keeping your Corgi fit and in good weight will help avoid many health problems.”
Although hobnobbing with bluebloods may be all in a day’s work for some Pembroke Welsh Corgis, sadly, none has ever been granted the title of prince. Yet, the cur dog with humble roots may still be laughing all the way to Buckingham Palace, as the Prince of Wales is merely a king in waiting, while the Corgi was long ago crowned as monarch over the queen’s heart—By Appointment to Her Majesty.
SUTTER BROWN - UNLEASED
(02-24) 04:00 PST Sacramento -- Call me Sutter. Sutter Brown. California's first dog, the shortest, cuddliest member of Gov. Jerry Brown's and Anne Brown's nuclear family.
You may rub my belly.
Yes, I am a good corgi, a Pembroke Welsh corgi, to be exact.
Yes, I am handsome.
Yes, I would like another treat.
I don't get all this talk about rancor in Sacramento. Wags say that Dad can be too cerebral and too aloof and he doesn't suffer fools gladly. But everyone loves me.
I can walk into any office - of any lawmaker, Democrat or Republican - and people smile. They run for their camera phones to take my picture. They laugh when I stick my snout into their wastebaskets. Then they repeat the Team Brown talking point about my sniffing out waste, fraud and abuse.
You've got to love this town.
In politics, they say, the power is in knowing where the bodies are buried. But the key to happiness - and balancing budgets in the face of a daunting deficit - is in knowing where to find life's crumbs.
Yet life here isn't all squeak toys and treats. The Politician Whisperers do work me like a dog. Meet and greets. Guard duty. Photo ops. Someone keeps sneaking me one-pagers about great first dogs. Checkers. Buddy. Fala.
If you ask me, Bo Obama has yet to grow into the position. Think Diana, Princess of Wales, Bo. You want to be the people's pooch.
Here's a trick that works for this old dog. Lie on your back for 20 minutes a day. Show the joy.
Then there's Barney Bush, who earned his kibble when he bit a member of the White House press corps. But that's a move only a lame-duck dog can get away with.
Tuesday, the keepers of my retractable leash set me up for an interview with this Saunders lady from The San Francisco Chronicle. She's a Republican. In a show of bipartisanship, they want to throw her a bone - but not too tasty a bone. Before she arrives, the handlers all stand around and tell me I have to stay on message.
Guys, I try to tell them, my body is so close to the ground that I don't need pointers on how to keep my paws planted on terra firma. But do handlers listen?
She takes me to the office of Republican Senate leader Bob Dutton, where GOP senators are caucusing over lunch. Corgis are, after all, herding dogs. Can I nip a few heels to corral a Republican vote or two to get Dad's tax increase on a special election ballot in June?
No. That's what concessions are for. But I can stand outside the door and bark.
Dutton knows how to come when he's called. The door opens. But then he picks me up. Me, the first dog, as if I'm a she-cat. He pats me on the head and dubs me "the taxpayers' watchdog" - without even letting me lick the lunch meats.
Saunders takes me out to the Capitol grounds for her big exclusive - my first sit-down interview - which her pack-mate Carla Marinucci videotapes for my public.
Saunders begins:
Do I call Jerry Brown "Dad" or "Master"?
"Or Zen Master?" She thinks she's really funny.
After she starts asking me about redevelopment, I realize I have more important business to attend to.
Saunders comes prepared with a plastic sleeve from her newspaper. You see, I know the real reason why a conservative columnist got the first interview with California's first dog: The guys in the press office wanted to give new meaning to the term "scoop."
You can watch the scooper interview on Debra J. Saunders' blog at www.sfgate.com/ blogs/debra-saunders
You may rub my belly.
Yes, I am a good corgi, a Pembroke Welsh corgi, to be exact.
Yes, I am handsome.
Yes, I would like another treat.
I don't get all this talk about rancor in Sacramento. Wags say that Dad can be too cerebral and too aloof and he doesn't suffer fools gladly. But everyone loves me.
I can walk into any office - of any lawmaker, Democrat or Republican - and people smile. They run for their camera phones to take my picture. They laugh when I stick my snout into their wastebaskets. Then they repeat the Team Brown talking point about my sniffing out waste, fraud and abuse.
You've got to love this town.
In politics, they say, the power is in knowing where the bodies are buried. But the key to happiness - and balancing budgets in the face of a daunting deficit - is in knowing where to find life's crumbs.
Yet life here isn't all squeak toys and treats. The Politician Whisperers do work me like a dog. Meet and greets. Guard duty. Photo ops. Someone keeps sneaking me one-pagers about great first dogs. Checkers. Buddy. Fala.
If you ask me, Bo Obama has yet to grow into the position. Think Diana, Princess of Wales, Bo. You want to be the people's pooch.
Here's a trick that works for this old dog. Lie on your back for 20 minutes a day. Show the joy.
Then there's Barney Bush, who earned his kibble when he bit a member of the White House press corps. But that's a move only a lame-duck dog can get away with.
Tuesday, the keepers of my retractable leash set me up for an interview with this Saunders lady from The San Francisco Chronicle. She's a Republican. In a show of bipartisanship, they want to throw her a bone - but not too tasty a bone. Before she arrives, the handlers all stand around and tell me I have to stay on message.
Guys, I try to tell them, my body is so close to the ground that I don't need pointers on how to keep my paws planted on terra firma. But do handlers listen?
She takes me to the office of Republican Senate leader Bob Dutton, where GOP senators are caucusing over lunch. Corgis are, after all, herding dogs. Can I nip a few heels to corral a Republican vote or two to get Dad's tax increase on a special election ballot in June?
No. That's what concessions are for. But I can stand outside the door and bark.
Dutton knows how to come when he's called. The door opens. But then he picks me up. Me, the first dog, as if I'm a she-cat. He pats me on the head and dubs me "the taxpayers' watchdog" - without even letting me lick the lunch meats.
Saunders takes me out to the Capitol grounds for her big exclusive - my first sit-down interview - which her pack-mate Carla Marinucci videotapes for my public.
Saunders begins:
Do I call Jerry Brown "Dad" or "Master"?
"Or Zen Master?" She thinks she's really funny.
After she starts asking me about redevelopment, I realize I have more important business to attend to.
Saunders comes prepared with a plastic sleeve from her newspaper. You see, I know the real reason why a conservative columnist got the first interview with California's first dog: The guys in the press office wanted to give new meaning to the term "scoop."
You can watch the scooper interview on Debra J. Saunders' blog at www.sfgate.com/ blogs/debra-saunders
Five reasons why California Gov. Jerry Brown should keep the corgi dog
California Gov. Jerry Brown starts his first full day in office Jan. 4 by walking to the Capitol with his wife, Anne Gust Brown, in Sacramento. Out in front is Sutter, a Welsh corgi dog that is living with the Browns on a trial basis.
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
By Francine Kiefer
posted January 7, 2011 at 12:38 pm EST
To adopt or not to adopt – is it even a question?
California Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife Anne are considering making a Welsh corgi named Sutter a permanent member of the first family in Sacramento. Their former dog, a lab called Dharma, passed away last year. The corgi actually belongs to Governor Brown’s sister, but she’s moving to Chicago, sans Sutter, and now the cinnamon-colored pooch is padding around with the Browns on a trial run.
The advantages of corgis are many, but here are five from this former corgi owner:
1. Corgis are herders, which will come in handy as the governor tries to corral notoriously late lawmakers during the budget season and drive them to a timely agreement. The critters may be short (half-a-dog high, two-dogs long), but they know how to nip at the heels.
2. In an age of globalization, a corgi adds international panache to a household. It’s hard for Californians to think beyond their state (it has everything, after all). But these are the favorite canines of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, who has a passel of them at her palace. Look for them in movies about the royals: The King’s Speech (now in theaters) and The Queen (2006).
3. Corgis will make even your enemies your friends. No one can resist the fox-face of a corgi, even perfect strangers. I was once walking our little guy, Chester, when a woman pulled up in a great big Cadillac. The window on the passenger side slid down, and the blond-headed driver leaned over: “Ooh, ooh, that dog is so cute!” The window slid up, and the Cadillac moved on.
4. On those tough days when nothing is going right, a corgi will always be there for you. Trying to close a $28 billion deficit? Sutter will sense this, and come lie at the governor’s feet or put a paw on his knee.
5. No scent of scandal with a corgi. These dogs have a sweet fur (and personality to match) such that when you pet them, your hand comes away clean – no dog smell.
6. Corgis are smart, and the governor will sound smart when he answers the eternal question about what breed he has: Pembroke or Cardigan? The correct answer is Pembroke (the Pemmies have no tail; the Cardigans do).
You may have noticed I've offered more than five reasons. I couldn't help myself. Just watch, the Browns won't be able to resist either.
posted January 7, 2011 at 12:38 pm EST
To adopt or not to adopt – is it even a question?
California Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife Anne are considering making a Welsh corgi named Sutter a permanent member of the first family in Sacramento. Their former dog, a lab called Dharma, passed away last year. The corgi actually belongs to Governor Brown’s sister, but she’s moving to Chicago, sans Sutter, and now the cinnamon-colored pooch is padding around with the Browns on a trial run.
The advantages of corgis are many, but here are five from this former corgi owner:
1. Corgis are herders, which will come in handy as the governor tries to corral notoriously late lawmakers during the budget season and drive them to a timely agreement. The critters may be short (half-a-dog high, two-dogs long), but they know how to nip at the heels.
2. In an age of globalization, a corgi adds international panache to a household. It’s hard for Californians to think beyond their state (it has everything, after all). But these are the favorite canines of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, who has a passel of them at her palace. Look for them in movies about the royals: The King’s Speech (now in theaters) and The Queen (2006).
3. Corgis will make even your enemies your friends. No one can resist the fox-face of a corgi, even perfect strangers. I was once walking our little guy, Chester, when a woman pulled up in a great big Cadillac. The window on the passenger side slid down, and the blond-headed driver leaned over: “Ooh, ooh, that dog is so cute!” The window slid up, and the Cadillac moved on.
4. On those tough days when nothing is going right, a corgi will always be there for you. Trying to close a $28 billion deficit? Sutter will sense this, and come lie at the governor’s feet or put a paw on his knee.
5. No scent of scandal with a corgi. These dogs have a sweet fur (and personality to match) such that when you pet them, your hand comes away clean – no dog smell.
6. Corgis are smart, and the governor will sound smart when he answers the eternal question about what breed he has: Pembroke or Cardigan? The correct answer is Pembroke (the Pemmies have no tail; the Cardigans do).
You may have noticed I've offered more than five reasons. I couldn't help myself. Just watch, the Browns won't be able to resist either.
ROYAL BONES ??
MSNBC.com
9th century bones may be of 1st royal corgi Archaeologists make find at ancient royal dwelling in Wales The Associated Press updated 3:32 p.m. CT, Wed., April 21, 2004 , LONDON - Corgis, the little dogs with the short legs, may have a long royal history.
Archaeologists from Cardiff University said Wednesday that ninth century bones unearthed in Wales may be those of the first Welsh corgi to be kept as a royal pet.
They have been analyzing bones found at an ancient royal dwelling in a bog in the Brecon Beacons, a hilly area of southern Wales.
“We have the foreleg of a corgi-sized dog, which, dare we suggest, might be a much-favored ancestral royal companion,” said Alan Mulville, of the university’s School of History and Archaeology, who is leading the study.
Britain’s current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, got her first corgi as an 18th birthday present in 1944 and is a well-known lover of the breed. Her mother, the late Queen Mother Elizabeth, also had corgis.
Experts believe the crannog — a lake or bog dwelling built on stilts or a man-made island — at Llangorse Lake was the royal residence for the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog, dating from around A.D. 890. Tree ring dating of oak planks from the crannog indicate that it was built between 889 and 893.
Crannogs are normally associated with Scotland and Ireland, and the Llangorse crannog is the first to be discovered in Wales.
“Our analysis of the types of animals eaten, the parts which were eaten and how old they were when they were eaten suggests high status, even a kingly diet, which possibly makes the crannog one of Wales’ earliest royal residences,” said Mulville.
The archaeologists have asked the Welsh Corgi Club to help them test the find against those of more recent corgi skeletons.
“Not surprisingly,” said Mulville, “the club is rather excited at the prospect of 1,200-year-old evidence of the breed’s royal association.”
Sylvia Hughes, the club’s honorary secretary, said she always believed the breed had royal links dating back hundreds of years.
“It has been rumored for some time that there were always royal links, but it was good to hear the news,” said Hughes, who has owned corgis for almost 50 years.
The sturdy, short-legged breed originally was used to herd animals. “Corgi” is the Gaelic word for “dog.”
Queen Elizabeth II is often accompanied on walks by a pack of the dogs, some of which she has bred herself. The queen also has owned “dorgis” — crosses of corgis and the late Princess Margaret’s dachshund.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. var url=location.href;var i=url.indexOf('/did/') + 1;if(i==0){i=url.indexOf('/print/1/') + 1;}if(i==0){i=url.indexOf('&print=1');}if(i>0){url = url.substring(0,i);document.write('URL: '+url+'
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9th century bones may be of 1st royal corgi Archaeologists make find at ancient royal dwelling in Wales The Associated Press updated 3:32 p.m. CT, Wed., April 21, 2004 , LONDON - Corgis, the little dogs with the short legs, may have a long royal history.
Archaeologists from Cardiff University said Wednesday that ninth century bones unearthed in Wales may be those of the first Welsh corgi to be kept as a royal pet.
They have been analyzing bones found at an ancient royal dwelling in a bog in the Brecon Beacons, a hilly area of southern Wales.
“We have the foreleg of a corgi-sized dog, which, dare we suggest, might be a much-favored ancestral royal companion,” said Alan Mulville, of the university’s School of History and Archaeology, who is leading the study.
Britain’s current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, got her first corgi as an 18th birthday present in 1944 and is a well-known lover of the breed. Her mother, the late Queen Mother Elizabeth, also had corgis.
Experts believe the crannog — a lake or bog dwelling built on stilts or a man-made island — at Llangorse Lake was the royal residence for the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog, dating from around A.D. 890. Tree ring dating of oak planks from the crannog indicate that it was built between 889 and 893.
Crannogs are normally associated with Scotland and Ireland, and the Llangorse crannog is the first to be discovered in Wales.
“Our analysis of the types of animals eaten, the parts which were eaten and how old they were when they were eaten suggests high status, even a kingly diet, which possibly makes the crannog one of Wales’ earliest royal residences,” said Mulville.
The archaeologists have asked the Welsh Corgi Club to help them test the find against those of more recent corgi skeletons.
“Not surprisingly,” said Mulville, “the club is rather excited at the prospect of 1,200-year-old evidence of the breed’s royal association.”
Sylvia Hughes, the club’s honorary secretary, said she always believed the breed had royal links dating back hundreds of years.
“It has been rumored for some time that there were always royal links, but it was good to hear the news,” said Hughes, who has owned corgis for almost 50 years.
The sturdy, short-legged breed originally was used to herd animals. “Corgi” is the Gaelic word for “dog.”
Queen Elizabeth II is often accompanied on walks by a pack of the dogs, some of which she has bred herself. The queen also has owned “dorgis” — crosses of corgis and the late Princess Margaret’s dachshund.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. var url=location.href;var i=url.indexOf('/did/') + 1;if(i==0){i=url.indexOf('/print/1/') + 1;}if(i==0){i=url.indexOf('&print=1');}if(i>0){url = url.substring(0,i);document.write('URL: '+url+'
');if (typeof FDCPUrl == 'function'){FDCPUrl();}else if(window.print){window.print()}else{alert('To print his page press Ctrl-P on your keyboard \nor choose print from your browser or device after clicking OK');}} URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4798993/
President Obama's Limo Deters Bullets, Missles, and oh yes....CORGIS !!!
As noted in the story below, the photo shows that the US President's limo can not only deter bullets, missles, and rockets..oh my, but the Royal Corgis as well. Corgis are quite clever you know.
Watch out for the Corgis!
By OLIVER MATHENGE
Posted Wednesday, April 1 2009 at 22:59
A rocket-grenade launching limo, 200 secret service staff and a medical team carrying pints of blood are just a glimpse of President Obama’s security detail as he attends the G-20 summit in London.
The President’s security teams have swept venues he and his wife Michelle will visit for electronic bugs, food has been tested for poison and even the air quality has been measured for bacteria.
Manholes in city roads have been bolted down, bins removed and British security snipers placed in tall buildings across the city.
President’s entourage
Among those in the president’s entourage is his 6ft 5in personal aide Reggie Love. Mr Love works out with the president and watches sport with him. He will be trusted to keep the president supplied with gum — which he chews to beat his old cigarette smoking habit.
President Obama’s security detail makes that of any other president look like a joke, but security experts say the threat of an attack against him is high. His entourage includes decoy vehicles and aircraft, making it nearly impossible to establish the vehicle he is travelling in.
While in London, the president’s 200 secret servicemen watch over him — conspicuous with their shirt-cuff radios, dark suits and Ray-Ban sunglasses.
According to the BBC, all police leave has been cancelled as thousands of anti-capitalist and climate change protesters are taking part in demonstrations in London to coincide with the G20 summit.
The £250,000 limo dubbed The Beast that President Obama is cruising in, is equipped with rocket-propelled grenades, a night-vision camera and pump-action shotguns to destroy would-be attackers.
The Beast’s titanium superstructure is capable of shielding the president from a chemical weapons attack. Its sealed interior forms an impenetrable “panic room” if the vehicle is attacked.
The car contains a teargas cannon, oxygen tanks and bottles of the president’s AB blood type. The limo can drive at speeds of more than 60mph (96kph) with punctured tyres. The five-inch rocket proof glass is so thick that President Obama needs fluorescent light to read in the darkness.
The journey from Washington was aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One — a Boeing 747-200B — which has its own gym and a presidential suite, complete with a small dining room. Among the officials on the flight was a military officer carrying America’s nuclear missile launch codes.
This gives the American president the capability to launch a nuclear strike from the craft. The plane which can travel at speeds of 630mph (1,013kph) cutting the flight duration by three hours from the normal eight hours. It is fitted with armour-plated wings able to withstand a nuclear blast from the ground and flares to confuse enemy missiles. It has 85 telephones and 19 televisions.
When President Obama touched down at Stansted Airport, a VH-3D helicopter — Marine One — flew him across London alongside a group of identical decoy aircraft. His stop was the US ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, London.
While in transit, a selection of iced teas will keep the president refreshed in his various modes of transport. His wife Michelle will have eight of her own staff, including a secretary, a press officer and bodyguards.
According to Skynews, Terror expert Prof Paul Wilkinson says his security team will be well aware of the president’s vulnerability in the UK.
“President Obama’s image in Europe and the UK is very favourable. People look to him as a great beacon of hope — that will be understood by his minders. But among these people, could be those whose plans are extremely nasty and malevolent,” says Sky News Online.
Fellow expert Dr Mark Yates said the biggest threat was from a suicide bomber or a lone hitman who did not form part of an organized group.
“The suicide bomb attack is the real threat — that would be a major coup for Islamic fundamentalists. The security will be massive, but one thing you learn is that there is no such thing as 100 per cent security,” Dr Yates said.
They terrorize footmen, drive Philip mad and knocked Paul Burrell down the stairs so why is the Queen giving up on her beloved Corgis?
By Jane Fryer
Last updated at 8:46 AM on 26th May 2009
Those poor old corgis - what an utter nightmare. One minute they're lolling about in the Queen's private sitting room, tucking into chuck steak, buttered scones and the occasional footman, before limbering up for their next luxury holiday to Sandringham, or Windsor, or Balmoral.
And the next it's announced that, after seven generations, their reign as most-loved and indulged royal pet might soon be over and they will no longer rule supreme over the Queen's apartments.
Because, in a development which will have sent the doggy population of Buckingham Palace whimpering into their hand-crafted beds, it has been reported that Her Majesty, 83, was so devastated by the recent death of two of her pets that she has decided NOT to replace her four remaining corgis by breeding - as she's done for 65 years - but rather let her love affair with them come to a natural end.
Ma'am's best friend: The Queen has owned corgis for more than 60 years
If the story is true (no one at the palace seemed quite clear yesterday - the Queen was away staying with friends for the Bank Holiday and officials didn't want to bother her on such a sensitive subject) it will mark the end of an era.
And, just possibly, spark a private display of high-fiving and heel-clicking on the part of the various footmen, chefs, ladies-in-waiting, family members, Prince Philip, you name it, who have been terrorised over the years by her darling dogs.
Or sat on what turned out to be a suspiciously soggy royal sofa. Or carried them, yapping and squirming, in and out of the royal Rolls-Royces, or helicopters, or aircraft.
Or hoovered the dog hairs out of Her Majesty's bed. Or tripped over them, stretched out all over the floor.
While they might not look terribly imposing - barely 12 inches tall with stumpy legs, no tail and enormous flapping ears - corgis can run faster than the average dog and were sufficiently agile to guard against wolves in past centuries.
They are also expert at herding sheep and cattle by nipping at their heels.
Stay: The Queen is the only person who can tell the corgis off while Prince Philip is reportedly less than keen on the breed
Watch the crown jewels: Prince Philip defends himself against royal corgi, Candy, while the Prince of Wales looks on
But it's not just livestock they nip. Over the years, it seems they've nipped pretty much everyone in the royal household - footmen reportedly favour soda syphons to squirt them off.
But they are also lively, affectionate, highly intelligent and fiercely loyal. They have been the Queen's constant companions for more than 60 years and, as such, have been rewarded with a life that most dogs could only dream of.
The present incumbents, corgis Linnet, Monty, Holly and Willow, and dorgis (a corgi-dachshund cross) Cider, Berry, Candy and Vulcan, have hundreds of state rooms packed with millions of pounds worth of treasures and thousands of acres of grounds in castles and palaces around Britain to dash about in.
Officially, they live in the Corgi Room, a converted box room which houses their special wicker baskets, thoughtfully elevated a few inches off the floor to avoid nasty draughts.
But, in reality, they have the run of the royal apartments - and a large stack of blotting paper is kept in each room to deal with their 'accidents'.
The Queen Mother looks on as one of the Royal corgis eyes up a potential leg to nip
Perhaps more alarmingly for Prince Philip, during the 1982 investigation into Buckingham Palace intruder Michael Fagan, a forensic scientist reported that dog hair was found in the royal bed covers.
Their diet's pretty enviable, too. According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for the Queen for 11 years, a daily menu for the corgis would be typed up and posted on the kitchen wall.
'The corgis had a wonderful diet,' he said. 'One day it might be chuck steak, which we boiled and diced and served with finely chopped, boiled cabbage and white rice.
The next they'd have poached chicken or liver. Or rabbits shot by William and Harry which we'd clean, cook, debone and chop for them.
'We also baked scones each day. The Queen insisted on them at tea and they were served warm with lots of butter, but she never ate them. She crumbled them on to the floor for the corgis.'
Paul Burrell, attending to one of his many duties as personal footman to the Queen, was once knocked unconcious when a group of Corgis dragged him down the stairs
Carrying to and from planes is an essential element in the life of a pampered pooch
They are also rather partial to a slice of toast and marmalade - light on the marmalade, please - which Her Majesty lets slip from the breakfast table each morning.
And because all that smart gravel outside can be tough on the paws, some of the older dogs boast special rubber-soled booties - designed by the man who invented knife-proof vests for the police.
But if that all sounds a teeny bit diva-ish, the Queen is also surprisingly practical when it comes to maintenance.
She defleas her dogs herself, gets down on her hands and knees to prise open their jaws and dispense cough mixture, and dishes out their main meal from silver salvers at 5 o'clock - whatever's on the daily menu plus Pedigree Chum, biscuits and gravy.
She also walks them after lunch whenever she can (if they see her in a headscarf, they yap and jump about with excitement, whereas if she's sporting a tiara, they slump down miserably onto the antique carpet).
They must have heard about the chuck steak and gravy: The Queen looks taken with a group of corgis belonging to an enthusiasts group in Canada
And looking after a corgi is harder work than you'd think. Among his countless revelations, Paul Burrell, once personal footman to the Queen, claimed he was knocked unconscious when nine leashed corgis pulled so hard that he slipped on the steps at Sandringham.
Discipline, however, is the Queen's domain alone. One source says if anyone else even attempts to tell them off, they'll get the 'evil eye' from Her Majesty.
Breeding is also the Queen's area - each corgi/dorgi bitch is allowed one litter by a pedigree sire.
She moves heaven and earth to be present when they're giving birth and is refreshingly no nonsense about it.
When royal photographer Norman Parkinson once asked how the corgis and dachshunds were able to mate, given their rather different heights, she replied: 'It's very simple. We have a little brick.'
Corgi Pharos had to be put down after being savaged by an English Bull Terrior owned by Princess Anne
But the royal puppies never make it onto the market. Some the Queen has - until now - kept back to replenish her stocks.
Others she gives away to good homes. But not to members of her own family because, well, they don't seem to like them very much.
Poor old Prince Philip was once heard to complain: 'Bloody dogs! Why do you have to have so many?'
Nor is Prince Charles a fan - he much prefers labradors. And when Princess Michael said she sometimes felt like shooting them, the Queen is said to have remarked: 'They're better behaved than she is.'
But the corgi/dorgi ritual had been an unshakeable part of palace life. They move from home to home with her and, come Christmas, they each have their own stocking, filled by the Queen with goodies, including a cracker and a cake.
This was a love affair that started nearly seven decades ago, when the Queen was a young girl playing in Hyde Park with a corgi belonging to Viscount Weymouth, who later became the Marquess of Bath.
Corgis were a little-known breed back then (they were admitted by the Kennel Club only in 1928), but Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret didn't give a fig for tradition and immediately started clamouring for one of their own.
Three puppies were duly delivered to the Yorks' London home, 145 Piccadilly, and Dookie was chosen because he was the only one with even a stump of a tail.
'We must have the one with the tail,' said the late Queen Mother. 'Otherwise, how will we know if he's pleased or not?'
Dookie, however, wasn't one for nookie and the matriarch of the royal corgi line was Susan, given to Elizabeth on her 18th birthday by her father.
It was love at first sight for Elizabeth and the beginning of more than 60 years of irritation for Prince Philip.
Susan was a constant presence - even hidden beneath the travel rugs as the newlyweds drove through London in their open carriage on their honeymoon.
And while she may have spawned a dynasty of more than 30 royal corgis, she wasn't much of a role model.
Princess Elizabeth, left and Princess Margaret, right, pictured in their wartime home riding a horse drawn carriage with, of course, a corgi
Her crimes were myriad, but most notably included a nasty bite out of the leg of royal clock winder Leonard Hubbard.
She wasn't alone. Her grandson, Whisky, disgraced himself by tearing the seat out of a Guard Officer's trousers and, in 1991, the Queen needed three stitches in her hand when she tried to break up a corgi fight at Windsor Castle.
In 1989, Chipper, her favourite dorgi, was 'ripped to shreds' by one of the Queen Mother's corgis.
And, in 2003, Pharos had to be put down after being savaged by an English bull terrier owned by Princess Anne.
It seems that after all those decades of corgis, practicalities may finally have kicked in. According to royal insiders, the Queen's decision is partly to do with her age - by the time her younger dogs reach old age, she will be about 90 - but also due to her desolation when two of her favourites died of cancer recently.
Meanwhile, given their abrupt change in fortune, Linnet, Monty, Holly, Willow, Cider, Berry, Candy and Vulcan should perhaps start behaving a little better around some of the younger royals.
Particularly if they want to hang onto their scones and booties and beautifully cooked rabbit dinners.
Queen to stop breeding beloved corgis after more than half a century of royal pets By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:31 PM on 25th May 2009
The Queen has decided to stop breeding her famous corgis.
Her Majesty has become synonymous with the breed since she was given a bitch called Susan on her 18th birthday in 1944.
But she was so devastated by the recent deaths of two of her pets, she has decided not to get any more.
The Queen now has just seven corgis left - and likes to exercise them herself when possible.
A senior royal courtier told The Sun last night: 'It’s hard to imagine her walking around Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle without them around her feet.
'But it’s a sign she realises she is getting older and can’t look after such a large pack.
'By the time her younger dogs reach old age she will be about 90 and so it makes sense not to replace any that die.'
The Queen had five corgis and four 'dorgis' — corgi-dachshund crosses. The seven-strong pack will now be left to decrease naturally.
She was 'deeply upset' earlier in the year when two other favourites died from cancer.
Royal expert and author Phil Dampier said: 'The dogs have been a massive part of her life and she is devoted to them.
'The Queen feeds them from the table with titbits and even mixes up some cooked meats, biscuits and gravy every tea-time, which she puts in silver bowls.
'It will be hard for her not to breed any more of them but she’s made a decision for sensible reasons.'
The Queen's love for her corgis is well-known and they are often seen milling around at the feet of visitors to Buckingham Palace.
The corgis have hit the headlines before - in 2004 one had to be put down after being savaged by an English bull terrier owned by Princess Anne when they ran out to greet her as she arrived at Sandringham for Christmas.
Anne was convicted under the Dangerous Dogs Act the year before that after the same dog attacked two children, becoming the first member of the Royal Family ever to acquire a criminal record after admitting letting the dog run out of control.
The corgis have enjoyed life as Britain's most privileged pets. They live in palaces and castles, travel in chauffeur-driven limousines, fly by private plane or helicopter and are carried down aircraft steps by aides.
They live in a boxroom that holds their wicker baskets, raised a few inches off the floor to avoid draughts. It is situated in the royal apartments, around which the dogs wander at will.
In the past, each corgi bitch was allowed one litter - the Queen prefers dogs with a reddish tint. The puppies were never sold, but those that were not kept were given to good homes.
Last updated at 12:31 PM on 25th May 2009
The Queen has decided to stop breeding her famous corgis.
Her Majesty has become synonymous with the breed since she was given a bitch called Susan on her 18th birthday in 1944.
But she was so devastated by the recent deaths of two of her pets, she has decided not to get any more.
The Queen now has just seven corgis left - and likes to exercise them herself when possible.
A senior royal courtier told The Sun last night: 'It’s hard to imagine her walking around Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle without them around her feet.
'But it’s a sign she realises she is getting older and can’t look after such a large pack.
'By the time her younger dogs reach old age she will be about 90 and so it makes sense not to replace any that die.'
The Queen had five corgis and four 'dorgis' — corgi-dachshund crosses. The seven-strong pack will now be left to decrease naturally.
She was 'deeply upset' earlier in the year when two other favourites died from cancer.
Royal expert and author Phil Dampier said: 'The dogs have been a massive part of her life and she is devoted to them.
'The Queen feeds them from the table with titbits and even mixes up some cooked meats, biscuits and gravy every tea-time, which she puts in silver bowls.
'It will be hard for her not to breed any more of them but she’s made a decision for sensible reasons.'
The Queen's love for her corgis is well-known and they are often seen milling around at the feet of visitors to Buckingham Palace.
The corgis have hit the headlines before - in 2004 one had to be put down after being savaged by an English bull terrier owned by Princess Anne when they ran out to greet her as she arrived at Sandringham for Christmas.
Anne was convicted under the Dangerous Dogs Act the year before that after the same dog attacked two children, becoming the first member of the Royal Family ever to acquire a criminal record after admitting letting the dog run out of control.
The corgis have enjoyed life as Britain's most privileged pets. They live in palaces and castles, travel in chauffeur-driven limousines, fly by private plane or helicopter and are carried down aircraft steps by aides.
They live in a boxroom that holds their wicker baskets, raised a few inches off the floor to avoid draughts. It is situated in the royal apartments, around which the dogs wander at will.
In the past, each corgi bitch was allowed one litter - the Queen prefers dogs with a reddish tint. The puppies were never sold, but those that were not kept were given to good homes.
