Elizabeth Taylor: “Celebrated film star, fashion icon and humanitarian,” says the Christie’s catalog for the upcoming auction of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor.
The actress was also a life-long Dog lover.
Elizabeth Taylor & Puppy Dog, 1944
Dame Elizabeth’s first Dog (or should I say Elizabeth Taylor-Hilton-Wilding-Todd-Fisher-Burton-Burton-Warner-Fortensky’s first Dog?) was a Golden Retriever named Monty.
Elizabeth Taylor skyrocketed to fame as a child, starring in MGM movies with Dogs & horses as co-stars: Lassie Come Home (1943), National Velvet (1945) and Courage of Lassie (1946).
Later in life Elizabeth Taylor would say, “Some of my best leading men have been Dogs and horses.”
In the 1945 MGM publicity still for National Velvet seen below; 12 year-old Elizabeth Taylor has an adorable Fox Terrier at her side. (Photographer: Clarence Bull.)
Elizabeth Taylor & Fox Terrier, 1945
Dogs were more than mere co-stars of Elizabeth’s, they were her childhood companions.
As a child, Elizabeth Taylor had a kennel of four-legged best friends:
- Spot, a Springer Spaniel
- Monty, a Golden Retriever
- Twinkle & Amy, Cocker Spaniels
Elizabeth Taylor’s Dogs, sit for a treat. Spot, Twinkle & Monty
Elizabeth Taylor named her Golden Cocker Spaniel “Amy”, after her role in the movie adaption of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women in 1949.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Dogs get a Bath
I’ve also found several photographs of a young Elizabeth with Dachshunds, but I’m unsure if they were her pets. (Anyone know?)
I do know later in life, after the filming of Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor presented Richard Burton with an entire litter of Doxies!
Dachshunds & Elizabeth Taylor
Of course, by the 1950’s the Poodle was the Top Dog. Elizabeth Taylor shared her life with several of the fashionable Hounds.
Poodle Loving Elizabeth Taylor
At the age of 18, Elizabeth married hotel heir Nicky Hilton.
Elizabeth Taylor & Nicky Hilton returned from their honeymoon aboard the Queen Elizabeth on August 21, 1950 with a souvenir from Paris:
Banco, a Miniature Poodle.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Honeymoon Poodle
While Nicky Hilton would only be in Elizabeth Taylor’s life for another five months or so, Banco the Poodle stayed much longer…
about four marriages longer!
Elizabeth Taylor’s Poodle Dress
As a Fashion Hound, Elizabeth was always stylishly groomed…note the Poodle print dress.
Her passion for Poodles was followed by her passion for jewelry which was well documented in her dazzling book Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry in 2002.
The Dame loved Dogs & dazzling diamonds.
Movie Star Elizabeth Taylor & Toy Poodle
Have you finished your Christmas shopping?
Christie’s will kick off The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction on December 3rd online.
Stay tuned for more…
Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,
Taffy, our charming 
Cynthia,
Seriously…this was such an awesome post. I enjoyed every picture of Liz and your comments were just as delightful. Thanks, Donna