We all have our favorite dog breed, considering one type of dog to be cuter, smarter or better than the rest. Even though your dog is the king of your castle, have you ever wondered which breeds were truly considered to be royal? You may not believe it, but some breeds were born to the throne. Here are 8 dog breeds that are considered royal.

1. Pekingese

Strong, muscular and low to the ground, the Pekingese toy breed originated in China over 1,000 years ago. Pekingese are lapdogs, and the breed has hardly changed over the century. Pekingese have a low activity level, making them perfect apartment companions who are also loving and loyal. Be prepared for a lot of grooming, however, because of their long, luxurious coat.

2. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Queen of England is known for her much-loved corgis and has had them as companions for many years. The breed itself can be traced back to the 1100’s. They are active dogs who are friendly and easy to care for. They have stocky, muscular bodies and were originally bred as herding dogs. They are great with children and around other pets.

3. Greyhound

An ancient breed, the greyhound has been around for centuries in nearly every country and has always been surrounded by royalty. England was important to the development of the breed, tracing its lineage back to the 9^th century. Greyhounds were originally used to hunt game as well as for racing dogs. They are gentle companions today, making great companions for active people.

4. Shih Tzu

The exact date that the Shih Tzu first came into being is not known, but the breed has appeared in paintings and documents as far back as the Tang Dynasty, which was 618 to 907 A.D. The Shih Tzu was bred to be a holy dog and was the preferred house pet of the Ming Dynasty and much of the Chinese royal family throughout the ages. The Shih Tzu breed is small and playful, with a long coat that needs grooming on a regular basis.

5. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is also called the Pyrenean mountain dog or Le Grande Chien des Montagnes in French, where the breed was adopted in the 17^th century by the court. The Great Pyrenees was not only a royal companion; it was also a shepherd’s dog, working the slopes of the Pyrenees Mountains guarding sheep. The breed is gentle, loyal and fearless. They are large dogs with heavy builds and they do not like hot weather. They can be wary of strangers and need consistent grooming.

6. Coton de Tulear

Little and friendly, Coton de Tulear dogs love humans and don’t like to be alone. They are also known as the Royal dog of Madagascar, as they originated there in the 17^th century and were kept exclusively by noblemen. They are loving, happy dogs who only get to be 13 pounds at the most. They are pure white with soft, dense coats that need a lot of grooming.

7. Bichon Frise

First appearing in France during the Renaissance, the breed migrated to Italy and Spain soon after and became a favorite of the nobility. They are small, fluffy white dogs with curly fur that needs quite a bit of grooming on a constant basis. They love to cuddle and get along well with people as well as other dogs. They are very gregarious and can be difficult to house train.

8. Japanese Chin

This breed, despite its name, most likely originated in China, showing up in Japan around the year 732. Royally kept, ownership of the Chin was banned to anyone other than royals. They are small dogs typically weighing less than ten pounds. Their coats are long and silky and they are sensitive to hot weather conditions because of their short noses. The Chen almost resembles a cat, the way it cleans itself with its paws and slinks along the backs of furniture.