Caesar (c1898-1914): A dog fit for a King

One of the most famous WFTs is King Edward VII's dog, Caesar. He was bred by WFT enthusiast the Duchess of Newcastle, sired by Ch Cackler of Notts. He's a scruffy little fella, isn't he?



Edward had many dogs, including Bassett Hounds, Clumber Spaniels and Chow-Chows but Caesar was the king's favourite and travelled widely with him, both at home and abroad. Apparently many a country trip was delayed while Caesar went off hunting. Once, in Marienbad he ran off into the woods and an entire police force had to search the countryside for him until he was eventually found. He wore a rather fetching collar which said "I am Caesar. I belong to the King" which ensured that he could always be identified and returned home safely.



Caesar wasn't always a popular houseguest, being rather partial to gentlemans' trouserlegs. The daughter of Edward's mistress, Alice Keppel, complained in an unpublished memoir that she hated Caesar and that despite daily grooming, he stank!



In 1908 Edward VII commissioned Carl Fabergé to make this trinket for his wife, Queen Alexandra. It's made from chalcedony (a type of quartz), gold, enamel and rubies.



On Edward's death in 1910, Caesar is reported to have been broken hearted. The very best veterinary care was enlisted as he barely ate or drank, mourning the loss of his master.

Caesar and Edward's favourite charger famously accompanied the King's funeral procession. You can just about make him out in these photos.








Apparently, as the procession reached Hyde Park Gate a stray dog rushed over and was sternly rebuked by Caesar. You can read an account of the funeral from the New York Times 21 May 1910 by clicking here.

The sight of Caesar mourning at the funeral captured the nations' hearts and thousands of postcards of him were issued. He even wrote a book called "Where's Master?" What a clever little dog he must have been.



Here's an extract from the final page:



Maud Earl painted this portrait, entitled "Silent Sorrow" which shows Caesar with his head resting on Edward's favourite chair.



If you look closely at the photo below you can see a carving of Caesar curled up at Edward's feet on his tomb in St George's Chapel, Windsor.



Caesar died in April 1914 and was laid to rest in the grounds of Marlborough House, which was then the residence of Queen Alexandra. She composed this inscription on his tombstone which reads as follows:

"Our beloved Caesar who was the King's Faithful and Constant Companion until Death and My Greatest Comforter in my Loneliness and Sorrow for Four Years after. Died April 18th 1914"

Caesar sounds like my kind of dog. He was certainly fit for a king.