Celebrating the King’s Birthday Weekend the Spitz Groom Way
There are many traditions woven into the fabric of the British Royal Family, grand palaces, ceremonial guards, extravagant hats, and, perhaps most importantly, a lifelong devotion to dogs.
As Victoria prepares to celebrate the King’s Birthday Public Holiday on Monday 8th June, we thought it only fitting to take a little regal stroll through history and explore the royal family’s enduring love affair with canine companions. Because behind every crown, it seems, there has almost always been a dog quietly stealing the spotlight.
(A gentle reminder that Spitz Groom will be closed for the public holiday weekend from Saturday 6th June through Monday 8th June, reopening Tuesday 9th June from 8am.)
The Late Queen Elizabeth II & Her Legendary Corgis
No royal dog discussion could possibly begin anywhere else.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was famously inseparable from her beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Over the course of her lifetime, she owned more than 30 corgis and dorgis (a delightful dachshund-corgi cross), beginning with Susan, an 18th birthday gift who became the matriarch of an entire royal canine dynasty.
The Queen’s corgis were not simply pets. They were family.
They travelled with her, lounged in palaces, attended official photographs, and reportedly enjoyed freshly prepared meals from silver bowls. Frankly, they lived the sort of lifestyle many humans aspire to.
And honestly? We completely understand the obsession.
Spitz breeds and companion dogs have a remarkable way of embedding themselves directly into your heart, often while simultaneously covering your black clothing in fur.
King Charles III: A Softer, More Sustainable Royal Approach
While Charles III may not be as synonymous with dogs as his mother was, he and Camilla are both passionate animal lovers.
Queen Camilla is particularly fond of rescue dogs and has adopted several from animal welfare organisations over the years, a sentiment very close to our hearts at Spitz Groom. Their current companions, Bluebell and Moley, are both rescue Jack Russell Terriers, proving that royal bloodlines are entirely optional when it comes to earning a place in the palace.
There is something deeply admirable about high-profile figures using their platform to normalise rescue adoption and compassionate animal care. It reflects a growing cultural shift toward viewing dogs not as accessories, but as emotional beings deserving patience, respect, and understanding.
Exactly the philosophy we champion every single day in the salon.
Royal Dogs Through History 👑
The royal family’s love of dogs stretches back centuries:
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Queen Victoria adored Pomeranians and helped popularise the breed throughout Europe.
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Edward VII was devoted to his terriers.
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George VI also kept corgis long before they became globally associated with the monarchy.
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Even Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales have spoken publicly about the joy their family dog brings to their household chaos.
Which, if we’re being honest, is one of the great equalising truths of dog ownership:
whether you live in Buckingham Palace or a Melbourne apartment, your dog still somehow ends up sleeping diagonally across the bed.
Dogs: The Great Royal Equaliser
Perhaps that’s why people connect so deeply with these stories.
Dogs have an extraordinary ability to soften even the most formal environments. Palaces become homes. Public figures become human. Crowns become secondary to whoever is currently demanding snacks from under the dining table.
At Spitz Groom, we see this every day. Every day!
The anxious rescue who learns to trust again.
The senior dog who still trots proudly into the salon.
The fluffy showstopper who knows they look fabulous after a blow dry.
The ‘difficult’ dog who simply needed somebody to slow down and listen.
Royal or not, dogs remind us to lead with patience, gentleness, humour, and loyalty.
Not a bad set of values for a monarchy, or a grooming salon.
From Our Royal Court to Yours
As Melbourne settles into the long weekend, we hope both you and your dog (s) enjoy a little extra rest, warmth, and perhaps an appropriately luxurious nap worthy of Buckingham Palace itself.
And if your dog insists on being addressed exclusively as ‘Your Majesty’ after reading this article, honestly, we support it.
Happy King’s Birthday Weekend from all of us at Spitz Groom 👑🐶