Turnspit Dog
| Turnspit Dog (†) | |||
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| Not from the FCI recognized | |||
| Origin : | |||
| Alternative names: |
Kitchen Dog, Cooking Dog, Underdog, Canis vertigus , Vernepator , Küchenhund (German) |
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| Withers height: |
35–40 cm (estimated) |
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| Weight: |
10–15 kg (estimated) |
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| List of domestic dogs | |||
As turnspit dog ( English for "spit rotary dog") is a type of dog designated specifically for turning a roast spit by means of a treadmill was grown. Other names for the Turnspit Dog are Kitchen Dog , Cooking Dog , Underdog , Vernepator and Küchenhund (German). In Carl von Linné's classification of dogs from the 17th century, the turnspit dog is listed as Canis vertigus . The turnspit dog is now extinct because it became superfluous as a kitchen aid with the advent of handy spring and electric motors . He also enjoyed no special prestige , so that he was no longer bred after his main task was discontinued. Some authors consider the Turnspit Dog to be an ancestor of the Glen of Imaal Terrier .
The Turnspit Dog's task was to use a treadmill to turn the roast spit over the fire so that the food was cooked evenly. The dogs had to be courageous (to work next to the fire) as well as obedient and loyal (so as not to eat the meat themselves) for this work . Since the work was very physically demanding, several dogs were often kept in a kitchen and worked in shifts .
Preserved images of Turnspit Dogs are reminiscent of corgis , but show dogs with lop ears. The figures suggest a shoulder height of 35 to 40 cm with a weight of 10 to 15 kg. Of English Dogs (see literature list) describes the dogs as "long in body, bow-legged and ugly, with a suspicious, unhappy look". Many of the surviving images show the dogs with a blaze .
literature
- Of Englishe Dogges, the diuersities, the names, the natures and the properties. A short treatise written in latine by Johannes Caius and newly drawne into Englishe by Abraham Fleming. Rychard Johnes, London 1576 (Reprint. Vintage Dog Books, Cookhill 2005, ISBN 1-905124-05-8 ).
- William Bingley: Memoirs of British Quadrupeds. Illustrative Principally of their Habits of Life, Instincts, Sagacity, and Uses to Mankind. Arranged according to the System of Linnaeus. With Engravings from Original Drawings, executed chiefly by Mr. Samuel Howitt. Printed for Darton and Harvey et al., London 1809.
- John G. Wood: The Illustrated Natural History. Routledge, London 1853.
- Desmond Morris : Dogs. The ultimate dictionary of over 1000 dog breeds. Ebury Press, London 2001, ISBN 0-09-187091-7 .
Web links
- Whiskey the turnspit dog, 19th century - picture of a stuffed turnspit dog
- Dog wheel turnspit, 18th century, Coed Cernyw, Monmouthshire - Wheel of a turnspit dog from the 18th century.
- The Turnspit - Every Dog Has His Day - h2g2 article on the BBC website
Individual evidence
- ^ D. Caroline Coile: Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. 2nd edition. Barron's Educational Series, Hauppauge NY 2005, ISBN 0-7641-5700-0 , p. 178 f.