I know some readers share my interest in how dogs were fed in the past. In fact, some of us became friends years back on the old Pet Connection blog, talking about dog diets. Anyway, here are several passages on the subject from a few vintage books, and a dog photo from each for good measure.
Excerpts on feeding and watering plus a wonderful photo from Amateur’s Dog Book by William A. Bruette, 1906 Excerpts on feeding and a group of very pleasing cockers from the book The Dog and How to Breed, Train and Keep him by George B. James Jr., 1894From the book The Beagle in America and England by Henry Wilson Prentice, 1920 (although this section on feeding was written by Edward H. Carle)
An ad for Spratt’s, a processed dog food often mentioned in discussions of diet in dog books around the turn of the century:
From the backpages of the book The Dog and How to Breed, Train and Keep him by George B. James Jr., 1894Mr. Spratt and his mystery meat from the book Dog Shows and Doggy People by Charles Henry Lane, 1902R.H. Moore illustration for an ad showing benched dogs all being fed Spratt’s. From the book Dog Shows and Doggy People by Charles Henry Lane, 1902
If there is further interest, leave a comment and I will post again on the subject in future.
The first one seems fairly sensible. But it looks like a lot more grains and vegetables were being served. I wonder how the lifespans then and now compare. “Of course you would always feed your dog hounds first.” Presumably that means the males. Why should they be fed first? Are the bitches less deserving? Hmmm.
The first one seems fairly sensible. But it looks like a lot more grains and vegetables were being served. I wonder how the lifespans then and now compare. “Of course you would always feed your dog hounds first.” Presumably that means the males. Why should they be fed first? Are the bitches less deserving? Hmmm.
I’m choosing to interpret it as “first before the humans eat”. It’s not right, but Imma go with it.