Quck answer
Turnspit dogs were a breed of small, long-bodied dogs that were bred in Elizabethan England for the purpose of turning meat on a spit over an open fire. They were highly valued for their unique ability to run in a wheel-like contraption, which rotated the spit and evenly cooked the meat. The dogs were often mistreated and overworked, leading to their decline in popularity. Today, turnspit dogs are extinct, but their legacy remains in the form of antique spit jacks and historical accounts of their role in the Elizabethan kitchen.
Pets
Turnspit dogs were characterized by their gray and white fur and drooping ears. Despite their crooked legs, cooks would force them to run on a wheel all day long. Photos.com/Getty Images
In the 16th century, dogs served more than just companionship roles. Various breeds were used for different tasks, including herding sheep, tracking wild game, and keeping people warm on cold laps during chilly weather.
In Wales, England, the turnspit dog, also known as the spit dog, found its purpose as the kitchen dog in homes large and small. With their long and stocky build, short legs, and ability to turn the wooden wheel on the roasting spit in the hearth, turnspit dogs were essential for open fire roasting.
What Is a Turnspit Dog?
Before automated roasting spits were invented, turning the wooden cooking wheel by hand was the only way to cook meat evenly. Enter the turnspit dog, a small breed of dog bred to run on a wheel that turned the roasting spit. This innovation prompted the name “vernepator cur,” which is Latin for “the dog that turns the wheel,” and was first mentioned in the book “Of English Dogs” in 1576 – the first book about dogs.
Turnspit Dogs as Working Dogs
Turnspit dogs were widely used in Elizabethan-era kitchens for roasting meat. Photos.com/Getty Images
Turnspit dogs were not only popular in Great Britain but also continued to be bred for domestic tasks for centuries. They were used for churning butter, pressing fruits, pumping water, and milling grain, as explained by Stanley Coren in “The Pawprints of History: Dogs and the Course of Human Events.” However, NPR reports that turnspit dogs were not as popular in the United States as in Great Britain, with only a few records of turnspit dogs for sale, including in Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette.
Unfortunately, working conditions for the dogs were not ideal, especially in kitchens. Many were made to run next to the blazing hot spit roast for hours without access to water, with cooks sometimes throwing hot coals onto the wooden wheel to enliven the dogs’ feet for even cooking. As a result, many turnspit dogs worked in pairs to trade off on the meat-spinning wheel. Some speculate that this dreadful tag-team is the origin of the phrase “every dog has his day.” Even on Sundays, the dogs did not get a break, as owners would take them to church to serve as foot warmers.
What Happened to Turnspit Dogs?
In 1750, turnspit dogs were abundant in Great Britain but were hard to find by 1850. By 1900, they had all but disappeared due to the invention of spit-powered machines called clock jacks. This new technology ultimately led to the breed’s extinction, as the small dogs were no longer needed for roasting meat with the invention of these cheap spit turning machines.
According to Jan Bondeson, author of “Amazing Dogs, a Cabinet of Canine Curiosities,” owning a turnspit dog after 1850 was a symbol of being poor. These dogs were unattractive and therefore not kept as pets. Today, the turnspit dog is extinct, except for a taxidermied one named Whiskey displayed in a hunting lodge at an ancient Norman castle in Wales. The Welsh corgi is considered the closest relative to the turnspit dog, and is now the pampered pet of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
FAQ
1. What were Turnspit Dogs?
Turnspit Dogs were a type of canine breed that was bred during the Elizabethan era to assist in cooking meat. They were specifically trained to run in a wheel that would rotate a spit, which would cook the meat over an open fire.
2. How were Turnspit Dogs trained?
Turnspit Dogs were trained from a young age to run in a wheel. They were placed in a small wooden wheel, similar to a hamster wheel, and would be encouraged to run by a trainer. As they got older, they would be introduced to the spit and the fire, and would learn to run on the wheel while the meat was cooking.
3. What was the purpose of Turnspit Dogs?
The purpose of Turnspit Dogs was to assist in cooking meat. During the Elizabethan era, open fires were commonly used for cooking, and the meat had to be turned regularly to ensure even cooking. Turnspit Dogs were bred specifically for this purpose, as their small size and energy made them well-suited for running in the wheel.
4. What happened to Turnspit Dogs when they were no longer needed?
When Turnspit Dogs were no longer needed, they were often sold or given away. Some were even abandoned or left to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, Turnspit Dogs were not highly valued as pets, as they were seen as working animals and did not have the same status as other breeds.
5. What happened to the Turnspit Dog breed?
The Turnspit Dog breed eventually became less popular as cooking methods changed. As stoves and ovens became more common, the need for Turnspit Dogs decreased. By the mid-19th century, the breed had all but disappeared.
6. Are there any modern breeds descended from Turnspit Dogs?
While there are no known modern breeds that are direct descendants of Turnspit Dogs, some researchers believe that the Welsh Corgi may have some genetic relation. The Welsh Corgi was also bred to assist with herding and may have some shared ancestry with the Turnspit Dog.
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