Throughout the seven decades that the Queen has been on the throne for, Her Majesty has become known for her undying love of corgis. Thought to have owned over 30 of the sweet canine companions over the course of her reign, the Queen currently owns two of them.
In addition to her two corgis, a dorgi and a cocker spaniel also form part of the Queen's personal pack of pooches. Although the latter is a well-known breed, many are unaware of the existence of dorgis - which actually came about thanks to Her Majesty and the late Princess Margaret.
The dorgi, a dachshund-corgi mix, was created when Princess Margaret's beloved dachshund Pipkin got together with one of Her Majesty's much-loved corgis. Her Majesty was so delighted with the outcome, that she has bred many dorgis over the years, although she stopped a few years back.
Read more: Royal Family: Prince Charles' beloved canine companion who broke his heart during a trip to Balmoral
However, although the Queen may have an undying love for her four-legged friends, they present a 'hidden health risk' to Her Majesty, according to a falls risk report. TakingCare, a falls risk expert, has said that small pets such as corgis can be a huge trip hazard for elderly people, such as Her Majesty.
One in two adults over the age of 80 will have a fall at least once a year; older adults classified as frail are 3.6 times more likely to have a fall than those who are not deemed to be frail. For older adults with mobility problems, pets can increase the risk of falls by blocking your path, running under your feet or moving items around the home and causing trip hazards - such as food or water balls.
The Queen has recently withdrawn herself from a string of public appearances whilst she recuperates after an official statement from Buckingham Palace informed the nation that Her Majesty is suffering from episodic mobility problems. For the first time in seventy years, Her Majesty will not be taking the royal salute on Thursday (June 2) as she continues to delegate her responsibilities to senior members of the Royal Family.
While taking breaks regularly is a good way to relieve mobility problems, Home Safety Expert Louise Yasities from TakingCare highlights that Buckingham Palace may have missed a major risk to Her Majesty's health - her beloved corgis. Louise said: "Her Majesty has long been a proud owner of Corgis and her beloved pets are a firm favourite in the media, but these small pets can pose an accident risk for older adults who experience mobility issues.
“Data shows that around half of people over 80 will experience a fall this year and older adults classified as frail are more than three times more likely to have a fall than those that are not frail. 30 to 50 per cent of falls are due to environmental causes, such as poor lighting, slippery floors and obstructions to pathways. Small pets can get under their owners’ feet, increasing the falls risk among frail older adults.
“From moving their food and water bowls to running out in front of your feet and tripping you up, household pets like Corgis can be the cause of various fall hazards around the home, particularly during the night when it’s dark. However, this does not mean that older adults can’t enjoy the joys of having pets. Simple adjustments can be made to reduce the risk of falls around pets.
“The Queen’s Corgis are often photographed without collars, however a simple collar with a bell on it will help to ensure that everyone is aware of where the Corgis are at all times, so they won’t startle anyone and cause trips or falls. This is especially helpful at night-time and is good for older adults who may get startled in the night and think that the noises their pet makes is an intruder."
Louise added: “Ensure food and water bowls are fixed to a surface is also a good way to ensure that these do not get moved by the dogs and left in walkways. Any spillages or mess created by the dogs should be cleaned up quickly, to avoid the risk of slips and falls and trip hazards such as toys or balls should be cleared away as soon as possible.
“Pets are a wonderful addition to families and provide companionship for many older adults. With a few simple fixes, the risk of accidents and falls around pets can be reduced, so pet owners can focus on enjoying their pets.”
In the past year, corgi ownership has soared thanks to Her Majesty, who got her first corgi when she was just 18 years old, and Netflix's historical drama The Crown. According to data from The Kennel Club, there were 1,223 corgis registered in 2021, making it the highest annual figure in almost 30 years.
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