Royal Pet. The birth of Elizabeth generated little public interest as prospects of her ever becoming Queen were slim and none. However, her father, King George VI, became king with the abdication of his brother and her uncle King Edward VIII in 1936. Elizabeth, a young child of nine at the time, became heiress presumptive, then Queen in 1952 with the death of her father. Her love of the Pembroke Welsh Corgis and their introduction into the royal household parallel her own amazing reign. Then Princess Elizabeth and sister Margaret, became enamored with a Welsh Corgi puppy owned by Viscount Weymouth. When her father, then the Duke of York, became aware of this, purchased a Pembroke puppy as a playmate for his daughters and they quickly named him "Dookie." A steady stream of corgi dogs followed as the family began to indulge in their own breeding program resulting in the birth of Susan in 1944, who was given to Elizabeth on her 18th birthday. Sugar followed in 1949. Both animals were alive when she became Queen in 1952. Queen Elizabeth's interest in the breed has continued to this day and she has become a breeder of Pembroke Corgi's, most were given away to relatives and friends. However, she has retained some thirty in all. The queen's corgis have the run of her many palaces and can be seen riding with her as she travels around London. They have been known to stray into her audiences and photo-shoots for famous people. Her lifetime association with the dogs have not been without mishaps. 1982 saw a serious lapse of security around Queen Elizabeth. A mentally disturbed, bleeding intruder was able to enter the palace grounds finding his way to the royal bedroom. At this particular time, the footman was out walking the corgis. Their presence would have deterred the intruder. Unable to obtain any quick aid, she was forced to engage the man in rambling conversation until a chambermaid entered the quarters, summoning help. The intention of the intruder was not to harm the Queen but to commit suicide in her presence. In 1991, she needed a number of stitches from a bite resulting while attempting to separate two of her pets during a dog fight. In 2003, one of the corgi dogs named Pharos was mauled by an English bull terrier owned by her own daughter Princess Anne. Vets kept the little dog in intensive care overnight but sadly had to put the dog down. Sugar died at age 15 and was buried at Sandringham House, the private residence of the Queen. It was constructed in 1870 for Edward, Prince of Wales (King Edward VII) and Queen Elizabeth II uses the estate each year from Christmas to February. Other famous corgi's buried here are Susan at age 14 and Heather at age 15. Legacy...The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has become very popular around the world because of the connection to Queen Elizabeth II. It's original trait was herding sheep in the pasture but has become an obedient show dog and above all now a happy, friendly household pet. The Pembroke is never vicious, is fun to live with, and is especially fond of children.