Black Cocker Spaniel puppies

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge have a new addition to their family: the proverbial pre-baby warm up, an adorable puppy.

It's being reported that the couple adopted a male Cocker Spaniel in early December and have been housing him in at their rented farmhouse in North Wales. The pup has not been formally introduced to the public yet but the couple has been seen walking it on beaches near their home.

In fact, Woman's Day editor Fiona Connolly incurred royal displeasure when she published the paparazzi photos of Will and Kate walking their new puppy near their home in Wales.

Perhaps as a result of this unwelcome invasion of privacy, William and Kate have given palace aides strict order not to publicly reveal the name of their pet.

"He is a private pet and they do not want his name to be made public although the couple are happy to confirm that they do, indeed, have a new dog, ’ a spokesman at St James’s Palace, the couple’s London headquarters, said.

Royal sources say the black pup is a few months old and comes from a litter bred by Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, who adores the breed. The puppy is the couple’s first pet together and replaces Prince William’s Black Labrador, Widgeon, who died about two years ago.

Historically, the royal family have been dog lovers. Formal portraits date back to the 17th century showing kings and queens posing with their beloved canines. And these dogs get the real royal treatment.

When Queen Victoria’s beloved Collie, Noble, died at Balmoral in 1887, he was buried in the grounds of the castle with his own gravestone. A terrier named Caesar belonging to King Edward VII walked behind His Majesty’s coffin in at his owners funeral procession.

Speaking of dog names, Will's grandmum Queen Elizabeth owns three Corgis: Monty, Willow and Holly and three Dorgis (a Daschund/Corgi mix): Cider, Candy and Vulcan.