There is no doubt that Maria Antonia Josephina Johana, or Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France loved Dogs.

Marie Antoinette’s documented Dogs include:

• Thysbée, a beloved Spainel & gift from Madame de Lamballe, renamed Mignon.
• Odin, a Leonberger a gift from Axel von Fersen
• Fidelta, Dog breed unknown
• Coco, whose grave stone can be seen in Paris at the Hotel de Seignelay
• A Pug

Jean-Francois Janinet. Image: British Museum 

Comte de Mercy, the Austrian ambassador to France, wrote that Marie Antoinette’s fondness for Dogs would:

“not be without inconvenience” if she continued adding to her growing pack, noting that two Dogs were “far from cleanly in their habits.”

Marie Antoinette’s love of Dogs can be traced to her childhood in the Hapsburg Court in Vienna.

Martin van Meytens, appointed the Hapsburg Court painter in 1732, captured the Hapsburgs in this painting…

Spaniels, Martin van Meytens. Image: Habsburgs

Marie Antoinette’s mother, Empress Maria Theresia von Hapsburg, is surrounded by 11 of her 13 children in 1754/55. 

You’ll notice a pair of playful Dogs at their feet.  

Marie Antoinette’s mother was so fond of Dogs that she had a favorite Spaniel preserved for eternity…

Marie Antoinette’s Mother’s Dog. Image: VNHM

If you find yourself in Austria, the Dog is on display at the Vienna Natural History Museum.

The Dog appears to be a Phalène, a dropped-eared version of the Papillion. (A toy spaniel also known as the Continental Spaniel.)

Marie Antoinette also had her favorite Dogs preserved for eternity, but thankfully in a less macabre way…

Sèvres Porcelain Spaniel. Image: Dalmany House

The Sèvres porcelain Spaniel above was said to be Marie Antoinette’s favorite Dog.

The Spaniel was found in Marie Antionette’s Chambre de Toilette at the Tuileries Palace after the Palace was stormed during the French Revolution, on August 10, 1792.

Another beloved Dog of Marie Antoinette can be seen in this 18^th Century painting…

Private Collection. Image: Marie Antoinette

My favorite record of Marie Antoinette’s love for Canine companions can be found in the Cabinet de la Méridienne in the Petits Apartments of the Queen at the Palace of Versailles.

Image: Cabinet de la Méridienne

Marie Antoinette’s Cabinet de la Méridienne is one of the most captivating rooms of her private apartment.

Richard Mique created the interior décor of the blue & white octagonal-shaped room in 1781.

A special fauteuil, or open-arm chair, created for Marie Antoinette can be found in the room…

 Carved Dog Fauteuil. Image: Palace of Versailles

Marie Antoinette’s favorite Dog was incorporated into the design of the chair!

George Jacob, the famed cabinet maker (or a person in his atelier), was sent to Versailles to sketch the Queen’s favorite Dog so the animal’s likeness could be carved into the top of each arm on the chair. 

 Carved Dogs. Image: Palace of Versailles

The gilt beech chair is stamped “G. Jacob” with a handwritten label on the seat that reads:

Boudoir de la Reine in Versailles.

Marie Antoinette’s Dog chair is upholstered in grenadine blue silk fabric just as originally ordered in 1781.

Carved Dog Arm Chair. Image: Palace of Versailles

Now that’s a chair fit for a Queen!

Carved Dog Arm Chair. Image: IDH

Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,