Alix's dog Eira

[po3a]

I'm interested in Alix's dog Eira. I have seen a picture and the dog looks like it might be a Yorkshire Terrrier? Any info would be great...
Thanks,
Po3a

[Ally Kumari]

Quote from Anna Vyrubova´s memoir

"The favorite dog of the Empress was a small, shaggy terrier from Scotland. This dog's name was Eira, and, to tell the truth, I did not like the little animal at all. His disagreeable habit of darting from under chairs and snapping at people's heels was a trial to my nerves. Nevertheless the Empress doted on him, carried him under her arm even to the dinner table, and amused herself greatly talking to and playing with the dour little creature. When he fell ill and had to be mercifully killed she wept in real grief and pity."

P.S. I don´t think this is the best thread to put this topic.

[po3a]

Thanks for the info.  I put it here because I read that she had the dog before she moved to Russia. I figured I would get more info here about a dog that she received when she lived in Hesse- Darmstadt.

[tatianolishka_1]

There was another dog she had prior to moving to Russia - I can't recall it's name, but it was stuffed and is on display in a museum someplace. Yet still, this topic would be better placed in Alix's forum.

Edit: "Cony", an Italian greyhound: http://forum.alexanderpalace.org/index.php?topic=6951.0

[Anastasia Spalko]

Make a note of this: do not let any of my five cats be sold off after my death if they are preserved like that.  I don't want any of them to become another "Cony".

Does any one have any pictures of Eira?  That ought to be interesting.

[nena]

Does any one have any pictures of Eira?  That ought to be interesting.

http://forum.alexanderpalace.org/index.php?topic=2541.360, see post No#368.

[Anastasia Spalko]

Thank you so much!

[po3a]

I have done some research and found that the Yorkshire Terrier originated in Northern England near Scotland. Scots would come to Yorkshire to find work and bring with them little dogs that were called Scottish Terriers but, they were not the Scottish Terriers of today.  I believe the little dog on Alix's lap is either a Yorkshire Terrier or a silky terrier. I heard that she received the dog in Scotland!

[tatianolishka_1]

Very true, po3a - they certainly look similar: http://www.justdogbreeds.com/images/breeds/yorkshire-terrier.jpg (aww!)

Ania V. does mention the dog being recieved from Scotland. However, because the originates in that country does not necessarily mean that it is the specific dog that Alix recieved. Many other terrier breeds existed then!

As well, the dog in the photograph (if it is indeed Eira, after all) seems much too big to be a Yorkie. It may just be an unusually large yorkie, however it also has thicker hair than a Yorkie. Perhaps a Skye terrier? Looking at the photo, I doubt it is a Cairn terrier.

Is it just me or does he have floppier ears than typical terriers?

[amartin71718]

What year did Eira die?

[tatianolishka_1]

1906 - 1908. She is buried on the children's island - there is a photograph of her grave floating around somewhere...

Edit: Date fail. Ergh, so rusty...

Some info I found on the APTM website...

"Madeleine Zanotti was of Italian and English parentage and she spoke English, Italian and German fluently. She came to Russia with Alexandra at the time of the Empress's marriage from England. Zanotti brought Alexandra's terrier, Eira, to Russia and she had pictures of the dog in here. "

[po3a]

Now I am even more interested in Eira, where and who she received it from.  I have a yorkie and they come in all shapes and sizes---I think you maybe right about it being another type of Terrier...even a silky.  I'm sure that dog was a real comfort to Alix in her new home

[po3a]

I just found out that Eira means genus!!  I guess this was a smart dog!!