Swan, a white greyhound, was one of the many dogs kept by Queen Victoria at the Royal Kennels in Windsor. The Queen took an active interest in the kennels and became an established breeder of greyhounds, terriers and pugs among other breeds. Several of Swan's puppies were also kept in the kennels. On the day she made this watercolour, 29th January 1850, Queen Victoria recorded in her journal that she went 'to the Kennels, where I made sketches of some of the dogs'.