Pets during the Regency Time Period??

Can any one help me on finding information concerning the types of pets during the era. I am particularly interested in cats and dogs. I have found a few sites, but nothing conclusive. I would like to include in my writings a pet of some sort since I am a true animal lover and could never live with out a furry companion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Upstart Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

I don't think cats were thought of as pets back then, they were mainly used to keep kitchens and barns free of mice. Unfortunately, I don't have any research to back that up with.

I do know some dogs were kept as pets, for in Mansfield Park, Lady Bertram has a pug.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

You're pretty safe with dogs. Everyone had dogs in the country. And certain breeds were fashionable with ladies in town. If you have a specific breed in mind, just check online to make sure it was avaialble in England during the Regency.

Remember the Baluchistan hound in Heyer's Frederica? Very Happy

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Viscountess of the Manor Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 1100

I literally just sent off a post yesterday on how to research a pet for the Nov research column of RWA’s eNotes. Pets are a big thing with me (I’m a major dog lover, and I grew up with horses). Pets can be tricky, especially if your book is set before the mid-to-late Victorian period, when many “breeds” were established (the very idea of a pureblood dates from this era, before that many dogs and pretty much all cats were “types” and interbreeding was common). Most houses would have had a cat or two (to keep down the mice), and eccentrics with houses filled with pets were not unknown (the Duke of Richmond, the Duchess of York, William Wilberforce).

One of the first things to do is research the breed’s history. It’s possible that the type of pet you want was around, but that it was called something different (Great Dane vs. German Boar Hound for example). It’s also possible that there was something called by the same name that looks very different from the modern-day counterpart (pugs and bulldogs come to mind), so you want to be sure you’re not misdescribing it. And, unless you’re looking for an exotic pet that has to be explained by some facet of the plot (not too long ago I ran across a book with a baby elephant in it!), you’re going to want to establish when that type of animal became common wherever your book is set.

You can find the history of most breeds on the net, just be sure to read more than one site to make sure you’re not getting some loons “opinion” rather than actual facts.

For instance, let’s look at the most popular breed in America, the Labrador retriever.

So I Google “history Labrador retriever”

Wikipedia has a lovely entry, complete with plenty of footnotes!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrador_Retriever

“The first written reference to the breed was in 1814 ("Instructions to Young Sportsmen" by Colonel Peter Hawker), the first painting in 1823 ("Cora. A Labrador Bitch" by Edward Landseer), and the first photograph in 1856 (the Earl of Home's dog "Nell", described both as a Labrador and a St. Johns dog). By 1870 the name Labrador Retriever became common in England. The first yellow lab on record was born in 1899 (Ben of Hyde, kennels of Major C.J. Radclyffe), and the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1903. The first American Kennel Club (AKC) registration was in 1917. The chocolate Labrador emerged in the 1930s, although liver spotted pups were documented being born at the Buccleuch kennels in 1892.The St. John's dog survived until the early 1980s, the last two individuals being photographed in old age around 1981.”

All labs gives a great time line (and lots of alternate, historical names):
http://www.alllabs.com/labrador_retriever_history.htm

From all I can tell, before about 1800 the dog would have been essentially unknown in England. From the Regency up through about the mid-Victorian period it would have most likely been known as a St. John’s dog (and it would have been black, perhaps with white markings). You don’t get the name “Labrador” or the now common yellow color until late in the Victorian era.

Now let’s take a look at a breed which has been in Europe for quite some time, but that has changed in both size and appearance quite a bit: the pug.

Sticking with Wikipedia, we get a nice, concise history of the pug, including one of Hogarth’s portraits of the longer, leaner, taller version that predominated up through the Regency and well into the Victorian period:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pug

BarkBytes history unearths a bit of a quandary though, when they tell us that the English name for the dog was the Dutch Mastiff . . . when did that change?
http://www.barkbytes.com/history/pug.htm

Online Etymology dictionary to the rescue!
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=pug&searchmode=none

pug
1566, general term of endearment, probably related to puck (2); one of the earliest senses is "sprite, imp" (1616). The sense of "miniature dog" is from 1749; that of "monkey" is 1664. The word at various times meant "a bargeman" (1591), "a harlot" (c.1600), and "an upper servant in a great house" (1847). Pug-nose is from 1778, based on similarity to either the monkey or the dog.

So, if you’re book is set post mid-18th century you have a pug. If you’re writing something Baroque or Restoration you probably have a Dutch Mastiff.

If you're looking for info on a specific breed let me know and I'll see what I have . . .
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-Kalen
w/a Isobel Carr
Ripe for Pleasure, May 2011
Book 1: The League of Second Sons
www.isobelcarr.com

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:17 am Post subject:

Wow! Thanks a bunch Every one. And thank you dear Kalen for posting so many references.

Well I guess I will be looking at the dogs then instead of a cat, lol.

I truly appreciate the help and advice. I'll let you all know what breed I finally decide on.

Thanks again and HUGS.
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Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:12 am Post subject:

Kalen, may I say for now and eternity: You. Are. Amazing. noch cooler

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Medieval & Regency Writer
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Viscountess of the Manor Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 1100

Total serendipity, sometimes the planets are just aligned . . . but thanks.
_________________
-Kalen
w/a Isobel Carr
Ripe for Pleasure, May 2011
Book 1: The League of Second Sons
www.isobelcarr.com

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:28 am Post subject:

So I started looking up the websites you gave me. Thanks again, it was much appreciated. And I may choose from one that you suggested.

However, I am torn between using a cairn terrier or a cavalier King Charles.

I haven't found enough information on the cairn terrier, only that it goes back a long way in Scotland.

If you have any info or websites on either one I would appreciate it.

I must say that I was surprised in the pug. I like how it used to look opposed to what they have bred it to look like in modern times.

I feel kinda dumb, cause I used to go to dog shows and help out with the dogs. And when ever the dog shows come on T.V. I always take time to watch them. I guess I was thinking cats cause I have the 6 indoor cats, 1 outdoor cat (who belongs to some one else, but she adopted us), and a ghost cat.

I grew up with dogs, but now have cats. LOL....but some day I hope to have another dog.

And, wow, Candice, I had totally forgotten about the Baluchistan hound in Heyer's Frederica. Now I gotta hunt down the book.
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Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.

Viscountess of the Manor Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 1100

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks again for the help and information. I went through and started researching from what you gave me. At the moment although it is a tough choice for me I am going to go with the scottie. I have always liked them. My aunt and uncle used to have a few when I was growing up.

I will keep you posted. And I may be throwing some more questions your way.

Thanks.
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Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.

Viscountess of the Manor Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 1100

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:32 am Post subject:

LOL, aye I got it. Thanks....I appreciate it. Clear as mud,....lol, thanks for the laugh. I appreciate it.

So then I could give a rough description of the furry face and just leave it as a scottish terrier...? Okay, thanks again.
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Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

Okay, I am still going back and forth as to which dog to use, the Scotch Terrier or the King Charles Spaniel? Also, do you know which would have been more preferable a female or a male dog? Just wondering if it would make a difference casue I am trying to decide upon a name for me pet in the story line. Any thoughts or suggestions?
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Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.

Viscountess of the Manor Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 1100

I'm not sure that there was any preference for a dog or a bitch during the time period, any more than there is now. Both sexes have their advantages and disadvantages.
_________________
-Kalen
w/a Isobel Carr
Ripe for Pleasure, May 2011
Book 1: The League of Second Sons
www.isobelcarr.com

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject:

Hmm, true. Okay, I see your point. Thanks a bunch. I have always had a female (bitch) for a pet so I will probably go with that. My parents claimed that females are usually better with children and don't tend to stray. Although I have known some very protective male dogs in my life when it comes to children.

Baron, now that was a good dog. Very sweet and gentle, but also protective and would give his life for the child he protected. Baron was a labrador/german shepperd mix. Huge and powerful, yet gentle as a giant. He belonged to myuncle's family. I wept when Baron passed cause I grew up with him as did my cousins. Sorry I did not mean to blather.
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Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.