Giro (dog)

The grave of Giro, von Hoesch's dog, stands outside the former German Embassy in London.

Giro was a terrier dog, or according to some accounts, a German shepherd[1] that belonged to the German ambassador to the United Kingdom, Leopold von Hoesch. Giro died in 1934 after chewing through some electrical cable and was buried in the garden of the former German embassy at 9 Carlton House Terrace.[2] Giro's owner died of a heart attack in April 1936 and his body was ceremonially returned to Germany.[3]

Giro's tombstone was moved in the late 1960s to its present location following building work.[2] It has been described as Britain's only Nazi memorial. Flowers are put on Giro's tombstone every February.[4][1]

The grave in 2011, surrounded with bags of garbage

Gravestone text

"Giro"
Ein Treuer Begleiter
London Im Februar 1934
Hoesch.
EN: "Giro"
A faithful companion!
London in February 1934.
Hoesch.[2]

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References

  1. ^ a b David Brandon; Alan Brooke (15 June 2015). Curiosities of London: Historical Walks Around the Capital. Amberley Publishing Limited. pp. 91–. ISBN 978-1-4456-4844-6.
  2. ^ a b c "Giro the Nazi Dog". Historic UK. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  3. ^ Buckle, Jack (2019). Monumental Tales: The Fascinating Stories behind the World's Pet Statues and Memorials. Cambridge: Lutterworth Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0718895457.
  4. ^ Benedict Le Vay (2007). Eccentric London: The Bradt Guide to Britain's Crazy and Curious Capital. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 74–. ISBN 978-1-84162-193-7.