The "dog of royalty" often refers to breeds historically favored by monarchs, most famously Queen Elizabeth II's Corgis (Pembroke Welsh Corgi) and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, linked to King Charles I and II; other royal breeds include the Pekingese, Shih Tzu, and Greyhound, valued for companionship or status across different royal courts.
Dogs as Symbols of Legacy
Breeds that were once exclusive to noble families have since spread across the world. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the Pekingese all trace their fame back to royal courts.
Kate Middleton and Prince William with their dog Orla in 2022. Orla joined the Prince and Princess of Wales' family in 2020, a gift from Kate's brother, James Middleton, after his dog Luna welcomed a litter of six puppies.
15 Dog Breeds Associated with Royalty
Sarah and Andrew took in Sandy and Muick after the Queen died in 2022. The late monarch was a lover of animals, especially horses and dogs, and owned more than 30 corgis and "dorgi" mixes over the course of her life. Muick and Sandy were the only two to outlive her and were present at her funeral on Sept. 19, 2022.
The Queen's Corgi is an animated comedy set in Buckingham Palace. You should be aware that the movie contains adult concepts, disturbing scenes and gender stereotypes, which make it unsuitable for children under 10 years. Older children might find it entertaining but parental guidance is recommended to 13 years.
There was an emergency. and she couldn't empty her kidneys, and we just didn't want her to suffer. She passed in peace.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.
🐾💰 Meet Gunther IV, the so-called world's richest dog with a “net worth” of $500 million. The story goes that a German countess left her fortune to her beloved German Shepherd, which then passed down to his heir, Gunther IV. Mansions, yachts, and even Madonna's old Miami home are often listed as part of his empire.
The Border Collie is widely recognized as the dog breed with the highest "IQ," consistently ranking first in intelligence studies for their exceptional ability to learn commands quickly (under 5 repetitions) and obey them (95%+ of the time). Other top breeds include the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Doberman Pinscher, all known for their trainability and problem-solving skills.
Prince William and Kate Middleton sleep in separate beds primarily due to the constraints of the Royal Train (which has only single beds) and as part of a long-standing aristocratic tradition of separate sleeping arrangements for better rest or privacy, though they likely share a bed at home, with their dog sometimes joining them for extra comfort, aligning with modern trends for "sleep divorce".
King Charles and Queen Camilla have two Jack Russell Terriers named Bluebell and Beth who were both adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London.
The top dog breed in the country is the French bulldog, beating the Labrador retriever for the third straight year, according to annual data released by the American Kennel Club. The AKC uses its registration statistics to rank the breeds. It says it's the world's largest registry of purebred dogs.
King Charles' favourite dog breed is the Jack Russell terrier, and he has previously owned two; Tigga and Pooh.
The "heartbreak breed" refers primarily to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their affectionate nature combined with a relatively short lifespan (around 7-10 years) and susceptibility to serious heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), making losing them particularly difficult for their devoted owners. Other giant breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards also face significant health challenges, including cancer and heart disease, often earning them similar sentiments from owners.
The dog of famous Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, Beast is one of the most popular dogs on Facebook. Beast is a Puli, a type of Hungarian Sheepdog that is known for its shaggy fur.
1. Tibetan Mastiff. The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest and rarest breeds, originally bred to guard livestock in the Himalayas. One of these fluffy giants once sold for nearly $2 million in China, making it the most expensive dog ever.
Gunther IV is known as the world's richest dog, with a net worth of $500 million inherited from his father, Gunther III. This unusual story of wealth, luxury, and mystery is the focus of the Netflix docuseries "Gunther's Millions," which explores the bizarre tale behind the fortune and the people managing it.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
5 Dog Breeds That Can Be Challenging for New Pet Owners
Lisa Vanderpump has announced Giggy has sadly passed away. In an Instagram post she wrote: “We are devastated to say that our beloved Giggy has passed away this morning. He was truly loved, and we know how many of you loved him too.
Based on late 2025/early 2026 estimates, Olivia Rodrigo is significantly richer than Sabrina Carpenter, with Olivia's net worth around $25 million compared to Sabrina's $16 million, largely due to Olivia's massive success from Disney shows and chart-topping albums like SOUR, though Sabrina's recent viral hits and tours are rapidly growing her wealth too.
While not all of them made it through to the end of the series -- Oscar was gunned down in the middle of Season 4 -- On My Block still ended on an optimistic note for the core group's future and the hope that their friendship could survive whatever turbulence adulthood sends their way.