When I visited Bath in the U.K., I made a point of seeing No. 1 Royal Crescent, a fascinating museum whose interior was decorated in the Georgian style of the late 18th century/early 19th century. One had the feeling when entering the house that it may have been inhabited by people Jane Austen might have met in the Pump Room or the Upper Assembly Rooms.
Completion of the Royal Crescent, Thomas Malton, 1769. No. 1 Royal Crescent sits towards the front. Image in the public domain. Wikimedia.
My one lasting memory is of the kitchen and a contraption near the ceiling. It hung in the far corner near a fire place and looked like a torture instrument. Inside the wooden wheel was a stuffed dog, popularly known in its time as a turnspit dog, which represented a breed that no longer exists. They were small, long-bodied, and sturdy; had short crooked legs; and were trained to run inside a wheel that turned a roasting spit. These long-suffering, hard-working canines, resembled curs not purebreds, and saved cooks (or menial boys of the lowest servant order) the task of turning roasting spits by hand for hours.
Turnspit dog, 1862. H Weir – Illustrated Natural History, Rev JG Wood. Image in the public domain. Wikipedia
The dogs were first mentioned in 1576 under the name “Turnespete”(Wikipedia). Their lives were hot, tedious, strenuous, and short. They were considered more kitchen utensils than pets, this during the centuries when animal cruelty was casual and baiting animals was a sport.
A dog at work inside a wheel near the ceiling; from Remarks on a Tour to North and South Wales (1800). Wikipedia, public domain image
“To train the dog to run faster, a glowing coal was thrown into the wheel”- Turnspit Dogs: The Rise and Fall of the Vernepator Cur, NPR
Their breed was considered so common that its origins are unknown, although some experts think the turnspit dog was related to a terrier or perhaps the Welsh Corgi. Imagine the life of this dog–confined to a wheel for hours, forced to run near a fireplace while smelling the roasting meat of an animal that was out of their reach, tired, aching, and thirsting for water.
“The wheels were put up quite high on the wall, far from the fire in order for the dogs not to overheat and faint.”- NPR
As we all know, heat rises, so one wonders how well that placement worked! Turnspit dogs worked in alternating teams of two and were regularly relieved by an equally hardworking companion dog. They often were given Sundays off, not because their owners cared about their well being, but because they acted as foot warmers in cold church pews (Kitchensisters). One must imagine their relief for these few hours of rest.
Whiskey, the last known turnspit dog, now on view in the Abergavenny Museum in Wales.
These tiny unloved dogs were prevalent in the mid 18th century, but by 1900 mechanical spit turning machines replaced them. Since they were considered ugly and lowly, their breed became extinct. Whiskey, the last known surviving turnspit dog, lives on as a taxidermied specimen in the Abergavenny Museum in Wales.
As an interesting footnote, in the United States the plight of the turnspit dog inspired the founding of the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
“In 1850, founder of the ASPCA, Henry Bergh, was so moved by the appalling conditions in which the Turnspits were found in Manhattan hotels, that its horrific living conditions contributed to the birth of the organization in 1866. Coincidentally, this was around the time the dogs had become scarce, and 50 years later, they completely disappeared.”- Barkpost
Note: Before COVID-19, Vic volunteered with the local SPCA, which is a no-kill shelter. She’s also been privileged to live with two rescue dogs, both of whom were (aside from friends and family) the loves of her life. Neither dog revealed their living conditions before she adopted them.
More References:
Spit Roast Doggie, Richard Wyatt, September 21, 2014, Day by Day. Bath News Museum
A Breed You’ve Never Heard Of Is The Reason We Fight Animal Cruelty Today, Bark Post
So interesting! Had no idea about this, never even came across the phrase ‘turnspit dog’ before. Somehow the add-on Sunday footwarming use seems particularly surprising.
The Sunday add on seems particularly cruel in that the dogs most likely received no affection for their service.
Exactly — after using them as machines, to then use them in this intimate way, and still feel no connection to a living creature actually touching your body — hard to imagine
I had heard of them, but I wasn’t aware of all of this. So sad. At least we have laws now to protect dogs in these situations, in addition to modern kitchens.
denise
So true, Denise The Georgian/Regency era felt little tenderness for their wild and domesticated animals. So many of their own people lived in poverty. Still, my heart goes out to these little, hardworking dogs. As my parents taught me–we do not deserve their loyalty. You make a good point regarding kitchen improvements.
I knew about dogs turning firespits but I did not know that there was a specific breed, though thinking about it, this makes perfect sense, as working dogs were bred for their purpose.
Can you supply me with the link to your post about working dogs? Your comment won’t show up, but I’ll add the link to the post.
Hello Vic,
This was a very interesting article. I had watched a series done by Dr. Lucy Worsley, a british historian called If Walls Could Talk where she looks back at the history of the kitchen in episode 4. If you go to minute 16 they show the turnspit and recreate it with a little dog (who they treat very well thankfully) I’ve copied the link for you if interested. Like you, I can only imagine the hard life they lived.
Thank you for the article
Laurie
Thank you, Laurie. I love her books and her video talks.
I just put a link to this as I had written about working hunting dogs on my blog, i have made the suggestion that the reason for developing this breed was the black death, when cheap labour in the form of a turnspit, commonly a boy or someone considered ‘simple’, was no longer as easily available.
Readers, here is the link to Sarah’s History Place, a blog that rummages through aspects of the past: http://sarahs-history-place.blogspot.com/. Thanks for stopping by, Sarah. While researching for this post, I saw so many images of how working dogs were used in the past. Our loyal breeds do not find us equally loyal to their giving, acquiescent natures.
Alas, no, and I know a farmer who still relies on her dogs – mind, her dogs live the life of Riley.
Is this what you call a ,”hot dog,” Vic? Mind you these days on the streets of Berlin they tend to have Currywurst stalls. I’ve never eaten one. I like the idea of frankfurters its the thought of curry in them puts me off. Oh sorry, you are talking about a dog. Must be serious.Sorry.
When I was a child I wanted a dachshund (we had a German Shepherd), but then I rescued a mutt terrier and my love affair with that breed began. Tony, you should see the wide variety of sausages in U.S. specialty stores. Unexpected combinations of spices are included in the more exotic choices. I would try a currywurst if the spice was not overpowering.
Tony, we saw this museum but somehow missed the pathetic dog wheel. We stayed nearby at the Royal Crescent Hotel which has some suites and rooms that make you feel like you’re in an Austen novel.
As to the poor Turnspit dogs, the modern version is an overexercised dog jogging or biking as a partner. Most modern dogs aren’t fit enough for constant exercise and even if they are and get tired they’re too loyal to leave their owners if they felt like stopping and taking a snooze.
Dogs need a lot of water during strenuous exercise. I recall taking my dog Barney to an outdoor festival on a hot day and bringing a large water bottle and dish. People exclaimed surprise that I was so thoughtful. I also brought an umbrella to keep him in the shade. My furball would have had a heat stroke otherwise.
Thanks for the lesson- I’d never heard of Turnspit Dogs before. One more reason to be thankful to not be living in the “good old days”! As much as I’d like to dress like Jane, that’s where the romance ends! My pup is presently lying on the couch where he is Lord and Master of the house.
Our Jenny rules the house like a queen. What would we do without our pets’ love and loyalty during these isolated days of COVID? I can barely watch the videos of mistreated or abandoned dogs. Turnspit dogs did not live long. I recall reading years ago that their lifespan was quite short. Thanks for stopping by!
sorry I’m late to the thread, glad you found the link anyway! I’ve pulled a lot of Regency articles there as I put them together in ‘The [Wannabe] Regency Miss’s Survival Guide to Real Life’ which shows, I hope, that it wasn’t a matter of swanning around in a pristine white muslin dress …but does tell you how to keep it well laundered. it’s a writer’s guide, really . So that’s why some articles are missing …
Wow, that’s something I never heard about! In all the historic houses we’ve toured here in the States I don’t remember ever seeing something like that, or hearing about Turnspit dogs. Of course maybe I just didn’t know what I was looking at. I can see why it inspired the creation of the SPCA!
Kevin, you might find this article extremely interesting. It is more detailed than my short post. https://www.foodnonfiction.com/episodes/item/15-61-turnspit-dogs
Thanks for the link. It was an interesting article. I have seem the clock like mechanisms she mentioned in one of the houses we visited. Much more humane then using dogs.
Oh my. This is so awful. I was not aware of Turnspit dogs. The poor things. I also have two rescue dogs who are happy to be loved and pampered after not a good start in life.
There is no creature more eager to love and be loved than a dog, especially a rescue. I cannot bear the thought of any animal, but most especially a dog, being treated like a piece of equipment. I cannot bear the thought of human slaves and their suffering either. We humans as a species are cruel.
I cannot understand either how anyone can be cruel to an animal or another human being. xo
What a sad story.
I love the ‘historical’ times but as always every era has its faults.
Great article though!
Thanks, Mindy. Yes, our pasts are imperfect, but our ancestors lived in another time, customs, and culture. I like to think that the Austen family treated their pets and livestock humanely.
Ohh that is heartbreaking…and so poignant that their plight inspired the founding of the SPCA. Had never heard of these little dogs before. Painful to contemplate but valuable information as well.
Thank you, Sarah. My heart bleeds for the many animals who are/have been so casually and cruelly used. I appreciate your comment.
I agree, Sarah, this is heartbreaking! I also appreciate the SPCA founding due to someone witnessing their mistreatment. 🌞
Hi, Vic, such sad but interesting information you’ve shared here. These poor little guys must have endured not only searing heat but also chronic dehydration. And sometimes hot coals were thrown to make them go faster? The ultimate display of callous abuse. Angers me just thinking about it! 🌞
I’ll never forget the sight of that wheel, or the story of a typical day in this dog’s (and canine partner’s) in daily misery.