Queen to stop breeding beloved corgis after more than half a century of royal pets

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.



All smiles: The Queen is greeted by local corgi enthusiasts in May 2005 during a state visit to Canada

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.'



Old friends: The Queen with one of her corgis at Sandringham in 1982



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.



Tradition: The original royal corgi Susan was bought by the Queen's father, George VI, when Duke of York, in 1933

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.