Around 3,000 BC when humans began to live in somewhat permanent dwellings instead of being nomadic, the role of dogs as companions evolved. This appears to have happened simultaneously throughout the world in several cradles of early civilizations. Certainly the first documented companion dogs came from China and Tibet.
Hunting dogs were also important, especially in aristocratic culture and they feature prominently in the sources left to us. A hunt with dogs depicted in le Livre de la Chasse. Unlike the mongrel guard dogs of merchants and shepherds, the practice of dog breeding (maybe of Roman origin) survived in the dogs of the aristocracy.
In this capacity dogs were found at all levels of society. Hunting dogs were also important, especially in aristocratic culture and they feature prominently in the sources left to us. A hunt with dogs depicted in le Livre de la Chasse.
The dogs slept in specially constructed kennels which were recommended to be cleaned daily and have fires to keep them warm. Medieval author Christine de Pizan at work with her dog close by.
Around 3,000 BC when humans began to live in somewhat permanent dwellings instead of being nomadic, the role of dogs as companions evolved. This appears to have happened simultaneously throughout the world in several cradles of early civilizations. Certainly the first documented companion dogs came from China and Tibet. But as other countries developed their own cultures, sea trading meant that companion dogs spread further afield.
In Central America dating back to 2,500 BC we have record of two types of dogs. One was a medium sized Aztec dog somewhat like a wolf which was reared for food and ritual sacrificial purposes. Interestingly, the other was a small dog with a globular shaped head that appeared to be kept as a companion, probably the predecessor of the modern Chihuahua [5]. When the first civilizations in Central and North America developed in about 1200 BC in the coastal regions of the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico [1] we have America's first companion dogs.
The ancient Chinese Sacred Books of Fo-Hi were written about 3,468 BC. Around 1840 AD, these books were translated by a Frenchman named Pauthier. According to this translation, Fo-Hi founded the historical Chinese Empire and was its first Supreme Ruler and God-Emperor. Additionally, according to Pauthier's translation, Fo-Hi encouraged the breeding of little 'sleeve dogs'. Later it was recorded that Tai-Kang, the Third Ruler of the Chinese Empire from 2188 - 2160 BC was also a great dog lover [5]. Certainly the development of the 'spirit lion-dog' dates back as far as 500 AD, when dogs associated with Buddhism in the Chinese temples and were favourite pets of the Emperors.
Many dogs were bred for specific kinds of hunting – for instance, standard poodles were for hunting bears, while terriers were for vermin, badgers, and rats. Greyhounds and whippets were used to course rabbits, and hounds to bring down stags and boars.
One dog in particular kept popping up in portraits, a dog that looks like a samoyed, but is actually a Pomeranian. A far cry from what they’ve been reduced to today, the original Pomeranian was about 30 lbs., and was the favorite pet of Queen Charlotte, who brought the dogs from Siberia to England in 1761. The white pomeranian seems to show up quite a lot in Gainsborough’s work
The majority of medieval dogs had to work for a living and their most common vocation was as guard dogs either of homes or of goods and livestock. In this capacity dogs were found at all levels of society. Hunting dogs were also important, especially in aristocratic culture and they feature prominently in the sources left to us.
Ancestors of many modern dog breeds are evident in medieval sources, including greyhounds, spaniels, poodles and mastiffs. Greyhounds (a term that encompassed an array of sight hounds) ...
Medieval lap dogs. Medieval author Christine de Pizan at work with her dog close by. Aside from aiding hunters, dogs were also companions for more sedentary lifestyles. Lapdogs had existed in ancient Rome but by the 13th century they were again becoming prominent among noblewomen.
Sign Me Up. Dogs were companions to humans long before written history, but being a guardian and a hunting partner is quite different to being a pet. In the Middle Ages they were not usually pets as they are today, indeed there is no record of the word ‘pet’ before the 16th century. Nonetheless, many medieval dog owners were no less affectionate ...
Illustration from Gaston de Foix’s Book of the Hunt. Lords employed dog-boys, dedicated servants who were with the dogs at all times. The dogs slept in specially constructed kennels which were recommended to be cleaned daily and have fires to keep them warm.
There is nonetheless a strong suggestion in medieval art and writing that the dog owners of the Middle Ages had an emotional bond with their animals very much like the one we have with our present day pets.
A nun depicted clutching her lap dog in an illuminated manuscript. Dogs were a fixture of the medieval church as well and monks and nuns habitually flouted rules prohibiting pets. Theirs were not the only dogs present in medieval religious life and it seems that lay people bringing their dogs to church was not uncommon.