Queen Victoria and Her Beloved Royal Pomeranians

Queen Victoria, the long-reigning British monarch, was famous for many things – her historic 63-year reign, ushering in the Victorian era, overseeing the expansion of the British Empire, and her status as the "Grandmother of Europe" through her many children‘s marriages to other European royals. But did you know Queen Victoria was also a devoted dog lover who helped popularize the Pomeranian breed?

Victoria had a special affinity for Pomeranians and owned dozens of them throughout her life. Her royal patronage transformed these compact, fluffy-coated dogs from little-known pets to one of the most fashionable and popular dog breeds in Europe. Even today, Queen Victoria remains closely linked with Pomeranians. Let‘s take a closer look at the history of Queen Victoria‘s royal Pomeranians and the legacy she left on this charming breed.

Pomeranians Arrive at the Palace

The story of Pomeranians in the British royal family actually begins a generation before Queen Victoria. It was her grandmother, Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, who first brought the breed to England. In 1761, when 17-year-old Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz arrived from Germany to marry the King, she brought her beloved pet Pomeranians with her.

In the late 18th century, Pomeranians were still a relatively unknown breed native to the Pomerania region of Central Europe (now part of Poland and Germany). They served as working dogs and sometimes as companions for the wealthy. But they looked quite different than the Pomeranians we know today. They were much larger, weighing around 30 pounds, with thicker, coarser coats in mostly white or cream colors.

Queen Charlotte adored her Pomeranians and had as many as 13 living with her at Buckingham Palace. Her favorite was a black Pom named Fino who was known for following her from room to room. Charlotte‘s Pomeranians were pampered pets, but did not gain widespread attention. It would take Victoria‘s influence several decades later to bring Pomeranians into the limelight.

Victoria Falls in Love with Poms

In 1837, Queen Victoria took the throne at age 18. Like her grandmother Charlotte, Victoria was an animal lover who always kept many pet dogs by her side, from her first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Dash to her last Pomeranian, Turi, who sat vigil by the dying Queen‘s bedside. But it wasn‘t until later in her reign that Pomeranians stole Victoria‘s heart.

Victoria first encountered Pomeranians in 1888 while traveling in Florence, Italy with her daughter Princess Beatrice. There, she was gifted a red sable Pom named Marco who enchanted the Queen with his lively, affectionate personality and tiny fox-like face. Marco soon became Victoria‘s constant companion.

Later that year, the Queen acquired three more Pomeranians – a white female named Gina, a white male called Fluffy, and a sandy-colored female named Lena. These four dogs accompanied Victoria back to England and sparked her enduring love of the breed. For the remaining 13 years of her life, rarely was the Queen seen without a loyal Pom trotting by her side.

Victoria‘s Pampered Poms

Over the years, Queen Victoria owned as many as 35 Pomeranians. She especially adored the smallest ones. Some of her most famous Poms included:

• Turi – A sable Pom gifted to Victoria on her 81st birthday who rarely left her side in her final years. Turi even sat by her bed as she lay dying.
• Marco – Victoria‘s first Pomeranian who accompanied her everywhere. He had a red sable coat and weighed about 12 pounds.
• Gina – A tiny white female who was the Queen‘s second Pom. She won top prize at an early dog show.
• Beppo – A mischievous little white male known for getting into scrapes around the castle.
• Fluffy – An orange-red sable who Victoria personally showed at a Crufts competition.

The Queen‘s Pomeranians lived a life of luxury. They resided in the royal kennels in Windsor castle known as "Queens Cottage" and even had their own custom-made Pom-sized furniture. On trips, the Pomeranians had a special railway car for traveling with the Queen. Victoria was said to enjoy feeding them herself and even making special rice pudding for them with her own hands.

Fit for a Queen

Queen Victoria did much more than just shower her own Pomeranians with love and affection. She helped transform the breed‘s appearance and popularize them throughout Europe. Victoria began breeding Pomeranians and set out to reduce their size. She is credited with helping to develop and promote the smaller toy Pomeranian that we know today.

Victoria was one of the first to exhibit Pomeranians at dog shows, bringing attention to the breed. Several of her dogs, including Marco, Gina, and Fluffy, won top prizes. With the Queen‘s influence, Pomeranians quickly became a fashionable breed among the British nobility. They were seen as the ultimate lap dog and status symbol.

As Victoria‘s children married into other European royal families, her fondness for Pomeranians spread. Many of her children and grandchildren began keeping Pomeranians of their own. Victoria‘s extensive royal ties meant Pomeranians were soon a familiar sight in palaces across the continent.

Victoria‘s Pom Legacy

Queen Victoria‘s Pomeranians had a profound and lasting impact on the breed. Pomeranians went from an obscure working dog to one of the most popular toy breeds in just a few decades thanks to Victoria‘s influence. Her breeding program helped establish many of the Pomeranian traits we see today – the compact size, foxy face, lush coat, and bold, lively personality.

In Victoria‘s lifetime, Pomeranians‘ average size decreased from over 20 pounds to under 10 pounds. Their coats also became longer and silkier from Victoria‘s selective breeding. Many modern Pom breed standards are still based on the appearance and temperament of Queen Victoria‘s Pomeranians.

Pomeranians‘ popularity continued to soar after Victoria‘s death. In the early 1900s, Poms were one of the most popular breeds in England and America. They were beloved companions to both royals and commoners alike. Many celebrities and historical figures also owned Pomeranians, including artists Michelangelo and Mozart, physicist Isaac Newton, and author Emile Zola.

Today, Pomeranians consistently rank as one of the most popular toy dog breeds in the world. The American Kennel Club reports that Pomeranians are the 22nd most popular breed in the United States out of nearly 200 breeds. Their charming fox-like faces, fluffy coats, and bold, affectionate personalities make them an enduring favorite. They are lively and active dogs that make devoted and entertaining companions.

While Queen Victoria certainly did not discover Pomeranians, she is responsible for catapulting these captivating little dogs to fame. For that reason, Victoria is still affectionately known as the "Queen of the Pomeranians" by many enthusiasts. Her legacy and love for the breed lives on in the continued popularity of Pomeranians worldwide. Every Pom is truly fit for a Queen!