I’ve been poring over a large number of old dog books and decided it’s going to be vintage dog book week on the blog.
Our modern relationship with dogs has been shaped in so many ways, some positive, others less so, by 19th and early 20th century breeders who established and refined the breeds and kennel practices we are familiar with today. Some of these breeders wrote books in which they freely expressed their opinions on other people’s dogs and just about everything else related to dogs. These books, many available in the public domain, give us insight into antiquated standards of care including feeding, housing, training, home remedies and other veterinary care. Studying history allows us to better understand our present and to make informed decisions about our future.
As promised, here are some of the images requested by readers.
First some images and text which include the Norwegian elkhound, as requested by reader Clarice:
From The Book of Dogs, An Intimate Study of Mankind’s Best Friend by Ernest Harold Baynes and Louis Agassiz Fuertes, 1919From the book Dogs of All Nations by Walter Esplin Mason, 1915From Everyman’s Book of the Dog by A. Croxton Smith, 1909From Everyman’s Book of the Dog by A. Croxton Smith, 1909
Next, images of various breeds reflecting some differences between then and now as requested by reader ares1942:
A Scottie, presented very stripped, from the book Dogs as Home Companions by Albert Frederick Hochwalt, 1922A sheltie, about which the author seems quite skeptical, from the book Dogs of All Nations by Walter Esplin Mason, 1915Head study of the great Dane from the book British Dogs, Their Points, Selection, and Show Preparation by William D. Drury, 1903An Irish setter from The Illustrated Book of the Dog by Vero Kemball Shaw, 1881A change in breed name (albeit temporary) for the dachshund, from the book Dogs as Home Companions by Albert Frederick Hochwalt, 1922An early version of the English setter from the book British Dogs, Their Varieties, History, Characteristics, Breeding, Management and Exhibition by Hugh Dalziel, 1879The great Danish dog, aka the dalmatian, from the book The Dog by William Youatt, circa 1846A sensible looking wire-haired fox terrier from the book The Dog, Its Varieties and Management in Health by Stonehenge, 1896
And finally, take a look at the six (!) kinds of Basset hounds listed in the book Dogs of All Nations by Walter Esplin Mason, published in 1915:
5 thoughts on “Vintage Dog Book Images: Reader Requests”
This is a wonderful post — & your project is inspired. Many of us have small (some not so small) collections of vintage animal books, artworks, & other sources of animal images. Are you & your readers interested in developing a repository of some kind to which they can be donated or bequeathed? It would be tragic for these precious items to be lost or discarded. Possibly grants could be gotten to finance the project. What do you think?
Very interesting. Of the 5 extra basset hounds, only seems to be still with us. Looks like the Rough-coated Basset of Vendee has morphed into the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.
This is a wonderful post — & your project is inspired. Many of us have small (some not so small) collections of vintage animal books, artworks, & other sources of animal images. Are you & your readers interested in developing a repository of some kind to which they can be donated or bequeathed? It would be tragic for these precious items to be lost or discarded. Possibly grants could be gotten to finance the project. What do you think?
The idea sounds good although it’s not something I would know how to approach.
Thank you for the elkhound information. The photos and articles are new to me.
Great! I love finding new old things.
Very interesting. Of the 5 extra basset hounds, only seems to be still with us. Looks like the Rough-coated Basset of Vendee has morphed into the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.