Queen was ‘hands-on’ corgi owner who used porcelain and silver bowls, says former dog trainer
Queen Elizabeth's former corgi trainer has revealed the life of luxury enjoyed by her pampered pups and the extreme dedication she showed to them.
Her pack of nine corgis "were like family to her" Dr. Roger Mugford told Newsweek, adding "it was clear" to him that "the Queen was the person who determined everything that went on with her corgis."
A committed animal-lover, the welfare of her dogs was of the utmost importance to the Queen and she was every bit the "hands-on owner" and "did not delegate decision making about them to anyone else."
He divulged that "Her Majesty would supervise when and where her corgis were fed."
However, it wasn't "standard dog bowls" used by the Queen's corgis. Instead, they ate from bowls "made of china, porcelain, and silver."
"There was no commercial dog food in sight," Mugford added when describing the mealtime he had seen. Instead the lucky dogs "were fed recipes that Her Majesty herself would determine."
This "included homeopathic vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure their health and longevity."
Mugford’s first encounter with the late Queen's pack of corgis came in 1983, when he was asked by a veterinarian to help out with some behavioural issues in the pack.
Mugford said initially he felt "nervous, anxious and humbled" to be attending the Queen and her beloved pets, but that she "immediately put [him] at ease."
The late Queen was known to love corgis ever since she was a little girl, enjoying the companionship of the breed for most of her life.
The Queen’s hands-on approach even included picking up her dogs’ mess, Mugford adds.
The nine corgis that Mugford encountered was a lot for anyone - even a royal with staff at her disposal - to manage. Mugford revealed that he "did hint" to the Queen "that having nine dogs in a single pack, unless constantly supervised [...] was too many." The late Queen "rather cuttingly responded to [him] 'Dr. Mugford, Prince Philip has already told me that I have too many dogs. If I wanted advice of that sort I could have saved your fee.'"
At the time of her death, Queen Elizabeth had only two corgis remaining, Sandy and Muick. The two dogs were reportedly given to her by her son, the Duke of York last year. The idea was to cheer the Queen up as her husband, Prince Philip, was unwell at the time.
Now, Sandy and Muick will return to Prince Andrew's care, and live at Royal Lodge with him. Movingly, they made an appearance at the State Funeral.
As the coffin was processed to St. George's Chapel for the Committal Service, staff brought them outside to say one last goodbye to their owner.
Prince William is reported as having said to mourners queuing to see Queen Elizabeth's coffin whilst she was lying-in-state that Sandy and Muick are likely to be "spoiled rotten" in their new home.