Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are to look after Queen Elizabeth II's beloved corgis, Muick and Sandy after the late monarch's death.
The two dogs made an appearance at the Windsor Castle quadrangle during her funeral on Monday.
John Smith, dog expert and founder of pet personalisation product website Yappy, said while dogs do not understand the concept of death, the canines might feel the loss of their owner being gone.
He said: “Dogs don’t quite understand the full extent of absence due to their owner passing away, so they don’t grieve death in a sense… Instead, they suffer a feeling of loss and emotional despair which abandoned dogs would feel too.
Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Muick and Sandy, on Monday
Peter Nicholls
Queen Elizabeth II with her corgis
PA
“These feelings can lend themselves to common and often devastating symptoms, such as whining, pacing, howling, loss of appetite, fidgeting, broken sleep patterns, anxiety, and lethargy.”
As a result of the monarch's death, Muick and Sandy could display symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to the expert.
Mr Smith explained: “The corgis won’t fully understand the extent of the Queen’s death, but they are very intuitive and will understand the emotion of missing someone that’s no longer there.
“Just like humans, some dogs can become depressed.
“A loss of an owner can be the trigger for depression in dogs, and signs to look out for are usually loss of appetite, becoming less active and a having a change of sleeping pattern.”
If these signs and symptoms of mourning should increase, extra support would be needed to help them settle into their new home with Andrew.
Mr Smith recommended implementing a similar routine to the one they were in with the Queen as it gives them a sense of familiarity “in a time when everything around them is uncertain” and to give them extra attention and distract them as much as possible with walks, games or cuddles.
Additionally, good behaviour like not howling or barking should be reinforced as well as tailoring activities to the corgis’ interests.
Prince Andrew will now care for the two dogs
Glyn Kirk
He added: “Due to their independent nature, it may take some time for them to adapt to their new life with Prince Andrew.
“It will be a very unsettling time for the corgis, and they may become anxious and find it difficult to trust those around them.
“However, although they can be a little territorial in the home, they will eventually start to feel at ease with their new surroundings.”
While the expert said the corgis will not have understood that the Queen was in the coffin before them at the procession on Monday, they may be able to detect her scent and therefore feel her presence due to their extremely good sense of smell.
