Dog types in Medieval/Tudor/Stuart times

[Christabel]

Apparently the tradition English otterhound is in decline. This set me thinking about old breeds of dog. In 'Macbeth' Shakespeare mentions 'hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves.' Some of these are still around, even if a King Charles spaniel looks different to the strange furry white creature seated at the front of the picture of Queen Elizabeth dancing the volta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rober ... ancing.jpg
Greyhounds and wolfhounds were also dogs for the elite, but there are pictures of watchmen and the like with hound-type guard dogs, so what would be most appropriate out of modern breeds to suggest the old types? Could we get away with a cross between an Old English sheepdog and an otterhound for a shaggy shough? Could a demi-wolf be an alsatian/husky cross? Could a water rug be a cross between a springer spaniel and, well, a rug? (Or poodle)
Looking at photos of Victorian/Edwardian farmers, their sheep or cattle dogs look very different from collies today, and that wasn't very long ago, so we may never know what a Tudor mongrel might look like except if archaeology gives us the bare bones, like the little dog from the Mary Rose. What's your best guess?

[Christabel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WaterSpagnel1.jpg
Looks a bit like a lion...

[Kairra]

A demi-wolf could easily be a WolfDog, they've been around since man first started accepting a more domesticated wild dog to live with them. I am also in love with them.

[latheaxe]

Modern dogs that look like there medieval forebearers include, Greyhounds,Irish wolfhound,Mastiff,Hovawort,Hunting spaniel,Schnauzer and Setters which have remained relativley unchanged since the middle ages. I dare say there will be more too!. There would have been loads of crosses which to be honest as long as it was not recognizable as say a poodle etc would fit the bill.....

The picture above I would say there is a good chance the dog was shaved..Left long at the front to thrash though bracken etc but cut short at the rear so it didnt get snagged up..Would love to be proved wrong though!

[Foxe]

Just because I like 'em, my 'Tudor' dogs:

[Christabel]

*Dog envy*

[Foxe]

There are plenty of lurchers in need of a home, hundreds of them...

Mine both came from Ireland, via Dorset Dog Rescue: http://www.dorsetdogrescue.com/dogsneedinghomes.htm

[Christabel]

Well done - I have been wanting to get a rescued greyhound but work full time and have two cats...it's a long-term dream, but there are so many dogs out there that need homes now!

[Angie]

I work full time and have a greyhound, she is happy sleeping all day. Most re-homing kennels cat test the dogs before they are ready to be re-homed. If you find a good kennel ask them about cats and they will try and match you with a dog that fits with your home life.

[STEENIE]

The Tudor Talbot which is supposed to be an extinct breed is in fact the 'Sluggi'. The Egyptian greyhound which was prized by nobles in the middle east. It is a sight hound. Is the only dog that the islamic Prophet said you could have in your tent. The knights of the crusade, brought them back with them. Closely related to the Saluki but without the flowing hair of this breed.

http://dog-project.ru/dog/english/borzy ... ya_borzaya

[Foxe]

I work full time and have a greyhound, she is happy sleeping all day.

That's not quite true though is it... greyhounds and lurchers only sleep most of the day. They like to spend twenty minutes running like a loon and possibly as much as ten minutes eating. Chair ownership only takes up the other 23 1/2 hours.

[Christabel]

I wish these posts had a 'like' button as on FB!

[Angie]

As long as 10 minutes eating- wow. Mysty tends to take a few minutes.

[Miss Costello]

Can reccomend a rescue greyhound. We went to the rescue centre looking for a terrier and came away with a greyhound. He's the most gentle, daft, loyal lazy b**ger. A Sofa and scraps thief, but more importantly (as we take him to events) VERY good with the public and suitable for all eras!

He looked like this on the day we picked him up, he'd been living rough for about 3 months. he had been owned by travellers and badly beaten and still has the scars. He's learned to trust us, but it's taken time.


He's a lot happier now.

[Foxe]

Good for you

I think seeing a scabby little dog can put a lot of people off. I still don't quite understand why we brought this sorry looking creature into our home:


But, all she asked was some love and not to be abused, and she turned into the lovely girl you can see in my photos above (you can still see the scars though).

Sorry for the Cuba, I tend to go on when I get onto the subject of my dogs.

[Kajte]

To continue the cuba, and share the hound love, another vote for adopting an ex racer here!

Our Irish Greyhound came to us with the usual baldy bum, tum, thighs and tail, a bag of skin and bones, covered in scars and a few bits and bobs missing.

From this lost and lonely little boy



To this



The only problem is, it's hard to keep to having just one!

Cuba over

[Angie]

I'd love more than one greyhound but I'd have to move and get another car!!

The only problem we have found with Mysty is she is fine whilst allowed to sleep on the bed in our tent but when it comes to taking her for a wee walk we struggle to get her out of the tent. We are re socialising her getting her used to crowds and noise again.

They are fab for renacting inso far as being historically accurate but depending on the dog you may have issues along the way that they will need help with.

[Miss Costello]

I'm in good company I see! Brilliant...spread the gospel about Greyhounds. So nice to see the 'before and after' pics. Foxe, she's adorable, Kajte.. it breaks your heart to see how cruel people can be. Worst I saw was at an event, the por hound had no ears (cut off to avoid tracing him through his tattoos) and was covered in cig burns. A family had taken him in, a lovely brindle and the kids adored him. Was so lovely to see him finding love and affection after all he'd been thorugh.
I'm welling up here so I'll shut up. But if you're in the East Yorkshire area, my local rescue always has loads of greyhounds.

http://www.hullanimalwelfare.co.uk/dogs/

Kate

[Foxe]

The only problem is, it's hard to keep to having just one!

Um... I failed.

[Christabel]

Years ago, when a student in Scotland, I went to a private historic house as part of a friend's research project. It had a lovely central hall with black and white marble flags. A large and gracious black and white greyhound rose up langorously and came to greet me. Looking up at the 16th century portrait of a member of the family which hung over the fireplace, I could see the exact same dog in the picture. Except, of course, it wasn't... (Ever since I have thought how lovely greyhounds are.) The owner of the house had been travelling down an empty snowy country road, and saw some disturbance in the snow. She kept on but on the way back stopped just to check, leaving her car door open. She couldn't see anything, but when she got back to her car, the greyhound was sitting in the car seat. She immediately recognised its resemblance to the dog in her ancestor's portrait, and not seeing any humans around at all, took the dog back home with her. At the time, I thought, that's quite freaky, but years later with better publicity I now realise that it was probably a dumped racer. But still, serendipity!!

[Fox]

My new English Mastiff, Isabel; a breed chosen specifically because I'm a re-enactor, so she'll have to be one too.

Bright, sociable and period correct for everything from Roman to Victorian (and beyond).

And this is what she'll grow into, Isabel with her Mum and Dad:

With an adult weight around 200lbs, possibly not the dog for everyone though....

[guthrie]

Cool, have fun with her.

[Miss Costello]

gorgeous!

[James The Archer]

My new English Mastiff, Isabel; a breed chosen specifically because I'm a re-enactor, so she'll have to be one too.

Isabel.jpg

Bright, sociable and period correct for everything from Roman to Victorian (and beyond).

And this is what she'll grow into, Isabel with her Mum and Dad:

Mum, Dad and Isabel.jpg

With an adult weight around 200lbs, possibly not the dog for everyone though....

And after meeting her (when she was awake) she is lovely