Queen Victoria's pets
Wednesday 18 May 1836
Dear Uncle Ernest made me the present of a most delightful Lory, which is so tame, that it remains on your hand, & you may put your finger into its beak, or do any thing with it without its ever attempting to bite. It is larger than Mamma's Grey Parrot, & has a most beautiful plumage; it is scarlet, blue, brown, yellow & purple.
Queen Victoria's journal (18 May 1836)
Queen Victoria and her close family kept numerous pet animals, including:
- Alma – a Shetland pony given by King Victor Emmanuel[1]
- Dandie – a Skye terrier[1]
- Dash – a King Charles spaniel[1]
- Eos – a greyhound which Prince Albert brought from Germany[1]
- Flora – a Shetland pony given by King Victor Emmanuel[1]
- Goats – The Shah of Persia presented Queen Victoria with a pair of Tibetan goats upon her accession to the throne. From these, a royal goat herd was established at Windsor. Goats from this herd were then used as regimental mascots by regiments such as the Royal Welch Fusiliers.[2]
- Nero – a greyhound[1]
- Islay – a Skye terrier[1]
- Jacquot – a donkey[1]
- Lory – a parrot[1]
- Marco – a small spitz which was the first of her many Pomeranians.[3]
- Hector – a deerhound[1]
- Noble – the Queen's favourite collie.[1] A statue by Princess Louise is in Osborne House.[4]
- Picco – a Sardinian pony[1]
- Sharp – a collie[5][6]
- Turi – a Pomeranian who lay on her deathbed at her request[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Helen Rapoo, "Animals", Queen Victoria: A Biographical Companion, pp. 34–39, ISBN 9781851093557
- ^ Cheryl MacDonald (2009), Celebrated Pets: Endearing Tales of Companionship and Loyalty, p. 104
- ^ Joe Stahlkuppe (2000), Pomeranians, p. 5, ISBN 9780764110467
- ^ Jan Toms (2008), Animal Graves and Memorials, Osprey Publishing, p. 39, ISBN 9780747806431
- ^ Anonymous (1890s). True Stories of Bird and Beast (1st ed.). Glasgow: Blackie and Son.
- ^ Presberg, Carole. "Queen Victoria's Border Collies". The Border Collie Museum. Retrieved 22 September 2015.