Catherine the Great’s Italian Greyhounds: Tom Anderson, Duchess and Zemira

Catherine the Great’s Italian Greyhounds: the short answer

Empress Catherine II had several Italian Greyhounds, and three are known by name: Sir Tom Anderson, Duchess and Zemira. Their graves are in Catherine Park at Tsarskoye Selo beside the “Pyramid” pavilion. In 2026 the museum-reserve finished restoring it and recreated the lost marble tombstones.

The essentials:

• By general account the first Italian Greyhounds were sent to the empress as a gift from England.
• According to the outlet VFokuse, in 1770 her court physician Thomas Dimsdale sent her Sir Tom Anderson and Duchess.
• Their descendant Zemira was born in summer 1778 and died in 1785.
• The “Pyramid” was built in 1782–1783 to a design by Charles Cameron.
• The Pyramid’s restoration was completed by 27 July 2026.

How Catherine II got her Italian Greyhounds

Italian Greyhounds have been known in Russia for a long time, but the most famous story belongs to Catherine II. By general account the first dogs of the breed were sent to her as a gift from England. The empress was constantly accompanied by several Italian Greyhounds, and she sometimes gave puppies to her favourites.

As VFokuse tells it, in 1770 her court physician Thomas Dimsdale sent the empress two Italian Greyhounds from England: Sir Tom Anderson and Duchess. They had offspring, and Zemira was among them.

Zemira: the empress’s favourite

Zemira was born in summer 1778 and became Catherine’s most beloved dog. She had her own satin wicker basket beside the empress’s bed and even a personal page who looked after her.

Zemira died in 1785. The loss shook Catherine: reportedly she did not leave her rooms for several days.

The Pyramid at Tsarskoye Selo

In Catherine Park at Tsarskoye Selo, by Swan Pond, stands the “Pyramid” pavilion. It was built in 1782–1783 to a design by the architect Charles Cameron. Beside it lie the empress’s three Italian Greyhounds: Tom Anderson, Duchess and Zemira.

The French envoy Louis-Philippe de Ségur wrote Zemira’s epitaph in French. It calls the dog faithful and swift, with one flaw: she was a little quick-tempered, but her heart was kind. Not every person gets so touching a reference.

The 2026 restoration

In 2026 the Tsarskoye Selo museum-reserve carried out the first major restoration of the Pyramid in more than 30 years. The original white marble tombstones of the dogs did not survive, so they were recreated from documents. The work was completed by 27 July 2026, the museum’s press office reports. The restoration was part of preparations for the 300th anniversary of Catherine II’s birth.

For us it is one more proof that a small sighthound is cherished and remembered. If you find yourself in Tsarskoye Selo, look in at Catherine Park.

The Italian Greyhound in Borovikovsky’s portrait

One of Catherine II’s dogs can be seen in a portrait by Vladimir Borovikovsky. The portrait is cited as an example of the breed’s presence in court painting. The source gives no title or further details, so we do not add them without checking against a museum catalogue.

Why Italian Greyhounds were court dogs

This was no exception in the breed’s history. Italian Greyhounds were kept at the courts of Europe: Anne of Denmark, Mary Beatrice d’Este, Frederick the Great and Queen Victoria. A small, gentle sighthound suited a palace: it loves closeness to people and warmth. More in our article on the breed’s history.

What remains of this story today

Catherine II’s Italian Greyhound and today’s are not quite the same: the breed has changed over two hundred and more years. But the character is recognisable: attachment to people, a craving for warmth and sensitivity. How to live with such a dog today is covered in our breed guide and our temperament article.

Frequently asked questions

• How many Italian Greyhounds did Catherine II have? The sources give no exact number: she always kept several. By name we know Sir Tom Anderson, Duchess and Zemira.
• Who was Zemira? An Italian Greyhound of Catherine II, born in summer 1778 and died in 1785.
• Where are Catherine II’s Italian Greyhounds buried? In Catherine Park at Tsarskoye Selo, beside the “Pyramid” pavilion.
• When was the Pyramid built? In 1782–1783, by the architect Charles Cameron.
• What happened to the Pyramid in 2026? The museum finished restoring it and recreated the dogs’ marble tombstones.

What to remember

• Catherine II’s three Italian Greyhounds: Sir Tom Anderson, Duchess and Zemira.
• Their graves are beside the “Pyramid” pavilion in Catherine Park at Tsarskoye Selo.
• The Pyramid’s restoration was completed by 27 July 2026.
• The dates and details come from media reports citing the museum: check the primary source before important use.