The tragic real-life story of the sinking of The Titanic continues to fascinate centuries after its ill-fated voyage. And while we’ve seen the movie and heard of the human toll, you may not know the stories of the animals who also perished aboard the Titanic.
1. The Tragedy Of The Titanic
When the Titanic set sail on April 10, 1912, it carried not only over 2,200 passengers but also a small number of beloved pets and animals. Many first-class passengers brought their dogs along, housing them in the ship’s onboard kennel or keeping them in their staterooms. Tragically, when the ship struck an iceberg and sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, most of these animals perished alongside more than 1,500 people. While a few small dogs survived, the rest—along with other animals aboard—were lost to the icy waters of the Atlantic. According to the American Kennel Club, the Titanic carried at least twelve dogs, only three of which survived.
2. The Great Dane That Was Too Large to Save
Anne Elizabeth Isham was one of the few first-class women who did not make it off the Titanic. She had brought her Great Dane with her aboard the ship, planning to start a new life in America. When passengers were being evacuated onto lifeboats, Isham reportedly refused to leave without her beloved dog. Since the large animal was not allowed onto a lifeboat, she chose to stay behind rather than abandon it.
In the days after the disaster, some rescue ships reported seeing a chilling sight: the frozen body of a woman clinging to the form of a large dog in the water. As reported by Encyclopedia Titanica, an unsubstantiated rumor suggests that Ann Elizabeth Isham refused to leave her Great Dane behind, leading to her demise. Her story remains one of the most tragic examples of the deep bond between humans and their pets.
3. The Dog Show That Never Happened
One of the Titanic’s anticipated social events was a dog show, scheduled to take place on April 15, the same day the ship sank. Many wealthy passengers had brought along their purebred dogs, eager to showcase them in the prestigious event. Airedale Terriers, Pomeranians, and French Bulldogs were among the breeds registered for the show, which was set to take place in the first-class section of the ship.
When the iceberg struck, the show was forgotten in the chaos of survival. The dogs, many of whom had been pampered and bred for competition, remained locked in the ship’s kennel as the icy water rushed in. It is said that as the ship neared its final moments, someone opened the kennels, releasing the dogs onto the deck. Their fate, like so many on that tragic night, was sealed as the Titanic disappeared beneath the waves.
4. The Fox Terrier That Never Made It Home
Henry and Myra Harper, a wealthy couple traveling in first class, brought their small Fox Terrier, Robin, with them aboard the Titanic. Robin was a cherished part of their family, and they had hoped to enjoy a peaceful journey with him as they crossed the Atlantic. However, as the ship began sinking, they realized that pets were not being prioritized for rescue.
Despite their desperate pleas, Robin was not allowed onto a lifeboat. The Harpers survived, but their loss weighed heavily on them for the rest of their lives. Robin’s absence was a painful reminder of the tragedy they had endured, and he became one of the many silent victims of the disaster.
5. The Lapdog Smuggled To Safety
While most of the dogs aboard the Titanic perished, a handful of small ones were saved, often due to the determination of their owners. Margaret Hays, a first-class passenger, owned a small Pomeranian and refused to leave without it. She wrapped the tiny dog in a blanket, concealing it as she boarded a lifeboat. Because it was so small, no one objected, and the dog remained with her throughout the ordeal.
After being rescued by the Carpathia, Hays was seen clutching her dog tightly, unwilling to let it go. The Pomeranian was one of only three dogs known to have survived the disaster. Hays’ quick thinking and determination ensured that at least one pet made it through the night of terror.
6. The French Bulldog That Met a Tragic Fate
Robert Williams Daniel, a wealthy banker, was traveling with his expensive French Bulldog, Gamin de Pycombe. He had spent a small fortune on the dog, considering it one of his prized possessions. When disaster struck, Daniel was forced to make a devastating decision—his beloved pet would not be allowed on a lifeboat.
As the lifeboats filled, Daniel had no choice but to leave Gamin behind. He survived the sinking by jumping into the frigid waters and being pulled onto a lifeboat. However, the loss of his dog haunted him, and survivors later recounted the sight of a panicked French Bulldog running across the deck before the ship disappeared beneath the waves.
7. The Labrador Retriever That Stayed Loyal Until the End
A large Labrador Retriever, owned by an unidentified crew member, was known for its friendly and loyal nature. It had been seen accompanying its owner throughout the voyage, bringing joy to many passengers. However, when disaster struck, the dog was trapped below deck in the kennel area.
Despite its fate being sealed, some passengers reported seeing the Labrador on the ship’s deck in its final moments. It was said to have remained calm, standing beside its owner until the ship sank. The Labrador’s loyalty and unwavering presence in the face of disaster left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.
8. The Airedale Terrier That Belonged to John Jacob Astor IV
John Jacob Astor IV, one of the wealthiest men aboard the Titanic, had brought his Airedale Terrier, Kitty, with him. Astor adored his dog and was frequently seen walking it on deck. When the ship began to sink, Astor helped his pregnant wife onto a lifeboat but was himself denied entry due to the “women and children first” policy.
Kitty was left behind, and neither she nor Astor survived. While Astor’s death was widely publicized, his loyal Airedale Terrier was one of the many forgotten animal victims of the disaster.
9. The Toy Poodle That Was Denied Rescue
Helen Bishop, another first-class passenger, had brought her Toy Poodle, Frou-Frou, aboard the Titanic. As lifeboats were filling, Bishop attempted to bring her small dog with her but was denied. Devastated, she placed Frou-Frou in her cabin, where the dog clung to her dress as if sensing the inevitable.
She later recalled that leaving Frou-Frou behind was one of the most painful decisions of her life. The little dog, abandoned and frightened, became one of the many silent victims of that tragic night.
10. The Pack of Dogs That Broke Free
As the Titanic neared its final moments, someone released the dogs from the onboard kennel. Passengers later recalled seeing a group of panicked dogs running up and down the deck, searching for their owners. Some even jumped into the water in a desperate attempt to survive.
Their final moments were chaotic, but at least they were spent in freedom rather than confined. Though none survived, their story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the many lives lost—both human and animal—on that fateful night.
11. The Canaries That Were Left Behind
Among the lesser-known animal passengers were a group of canaries, brought aboard by a woman planning to sell them in America. When disaster struck, she pleaded to bring them aboard a lifeboat but was denied.
Faced with no alternative, she stayed behind with her birds, unwilling to abandon them. Neither she nor the canaries survived, but their story remains one of love and devotion in the face of tragedy.
12. The St. Bernard That Was Too Big to Save
A St. Bernard, one of the largest breeds aboard, was among the many dogs housed in the ship’s kennel. The massive dog, owned by an unidentified passenger, was admired for its size and gentle nature. Unfortunately, due to its large frame, it was not allowed on lifeboats, and its fate was sealed as the ship sank.
Passengers later recalled seeing the St. Bernard pacing the decks in confusion, unaware of the impending disaster. Its tragic loss is one of many untold stories of animals that perished that night.
13. The Unnamed Pets That History Forgot
Many second- and third-class passengers likely brought pets aboard, but records of them are scarce. Cats, birds, and even rabbits may have been among those lost in the disaster.
These undocumented animals were among the first to perish as water flooded the lower decks. Their stories remain unknown, but their presence aboard the Titanic adds another layer of sorrow to an already tragic tale.