Caesar (dog)

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Caesar
A postcard featuring Caesar
SpeciesDog
BreedWire Fox Terrier
SexMale
BornCaesar of Notts
1898
Died18 April 1914(1914-04-18) (aged 15–16)
Resting placeMarlborough House, London
51°30′18″N 0°8′9″W / 51.50500°N 0.13583°W / 51.50500; -0.13583
Nation fromIrish
OwnerKing Edward VII
Parent(s)Cackler of Notts (sire)

Caesar (1898–1914) was a

Kathleen, Duchess of Newcastle, and became the constant companion of the King. After the King's death in 1910, the dog attended the funeral and walked in the procession in a prominent position ahead of nine kings and other heads of state. Caesar has been the subject of paintings, and a hand crafted hardstone model created by the House of Fabergé
.

Early life

Caesar was born Caesar of Notts in 1898, and was sired by Cackler of Notts.

Lord Dudley in 1902 to replace the King's dog Jack who had died after choking on food.[2]

Royal life

During his life with the King, he had a footman assigned to him to clean him and was allowed to sleep on an easy chair next to the King's bed. He wore a collar that read "I am Caesar. I belong to the King".[3][4]

Caesar would always greet the King excitedly, and the King would often say "Do you like your old master, then?" while the dog was jumping up and down in excitement.

Lord Redesdale's daughters. The King even considered Caesar to be an obstacle to the Entente Cordiale.[2] He asked his personal attendant, Lawrence Wrightson, to look after Caesar should he die before the dog.[5]

Caesar, accompanied by a highlander, at the King's funeral procession

The King ordered

Queen Alexandra.[6][7] A painting of the dog was also created by Reuben Ward Binks for the King.[8]

After the death of the King on 6 May 1910, Caesar refused to eat, and would spend time whining outside the King's bedroom.

better source needed
]

Later life

Caesar's grave at Marlborough House

Within a month of the funeral an unofficial book was published, Where's Master?, giving a first person account apparently written by Caesar from the king's death up to the funeral, something which made Queen Alexandra furious.[13] The book was successful, running to nine reprints in the first year.[5] After the King's death, a portrait of the dog was painted once more, this time by Maud Earl. The painting entitled Silent Sorrow, features Caesar resting his head on the King's favourite chair.[9] The Steiff company produced stuffed toys based on Caesar around 1910.[2]

He remained in the Royal household after the death of the king, although Alice Keppel, long-time mistress to the King, had enquired of Queen Alexandra about what was to happen to Caesar. Despite her previous dislike of the dog, the Queen took an interest in the terrier's care and tended to spoil him with treats, confessing to a friend that she was making up for the King being so strict towards him.[13] Caesar died following an operation in April 1914.[2] The Fabergé figurine now forms part of the Royal Collection, while Caesar was included in the tomb effigies of the King and Queen in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. In the sculpture, Caesar lies at the feet of the King.[14]

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-7641-1636-0
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e f Waters, Nick (23 June 2011). "The King's companion". Dog World. Retrieved 1 February 2012.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4039-8377-0
    .
  4. ^ "Breed History". American Fox Terrier Club. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  5. ^ a b "More shaggy dog stories..." The Northern Echo. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Highlights from the Royal Fabergé Exhibition". House of Fabergé. Archived from the original on 24 December 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  7. ^ "Caesar (1907-10)". Royal Collection. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  8. ^ "31 Dog Paintings by Royal Artist from Bolton to sell at Bonhams". Bonhams. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  9. ^ a b "'Royal Dogs' exhibition". Our Dogs. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  10. ^ "Family Pets". The British Monarchy. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  11. ^ Edge, Simon (16 April 2010). "The Funeral of Edward VII: End of the Empires". The Daily Express. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  12. ^ Elwes, Annunciata (22 March 2020). "The 10 most famous dog-and-owner combinations in history, from Churchill and his poodles to the Royal dog with its own footman". Country Life.
  13. ^
    ISBN 9780688035112
    .
  14. ^ "Caesar c. 1908". Royal Collection Trust. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
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