Bee ID please

[starlight09]

Yesterday, my dog came in from the garden with a bee stuck in his fur. My dog has very long fur and the bee was the biggest I have ever seen.
The bee was just less than an inch wide and about 1.5-2" long. The legs were quite thick and prominant from the body. It looked entirely black - the stripes were barely noticable, black with a hint of yellow. It was hairy too. Any ideas?
I was scared as it fell off my dog and he picked it up in his mouth. He spat it out and I managed to get it out of the house.

[Dogghound]

Sounds like a queen Bombus terrestris although could be B.lucorum.

[starlight09]

The stripes were less noticable. A mix of black and yellow running through the bands. My friend says I exaggerated the size and it was more like 3/4 inch wide and 1-1.5 inches long.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Starlight,

Yes, my guess too would be a Buff-tailed Bumblebee. Queens are occasionally dark with with low-contrast bands - especially if it's wet! The size certainly fits, and often the bees seem tired/grip onto things as opposed to readily flying to escape at this time of year.

A drawing would help.

Take care,

Jason