There are hundreds of dog breeds, and many have been bred to perform specific tasks or help people, such as herding sheep or guarding and rescuing avalanche victims. But did you know that in England there are dogs that are designed and bred to help with the all-important job in the kitchen of turning skewers? and grilled over an open flame. The problem was that if the meat wasn’t turned regularly it would burn on one side. The smart Brits have figured out how to get the job done!
A must have for any kitchen staff.
In the 16th century most large inns, taverns, manor houses and castles in England had several pike dogs working in the kitchen. The dog was confined in a cage best described as a large hamster wheel. The wheels were mounted on a skewer or roller system connected to skewers above the hearth. As the lamb rode on the wheel, it was rotated on skewers until the meat was evenly cooked. More importantly, it freed the kitchen staff from this necessary but tedious task.
Vernepatr Kar or Canis Vertigas The
Spike Dog was also known as Vernepatr Kar, which means “wheel-turning dog” in Latin. When Carl Linnaeus created a taxonomy of all animal species, he also included barnepattle poultry. He named the breed Canis vertigus, which means “dizzy dog” in Latin.
Breed
The ideal spinning dog needed to be small enough to fit easily in a hamster’s wheel. But it also brought a lot of stamina and needed to be trainable. Luckily there was no shortage of dogs and dog breeders in the UK. References to pike dogs can be found in many literary works of the time, including Shakespeare’s writings that mention the use of pike dogs. They are described as having short stature, droopy ears, stocky legs, and short fur. Early accounts seem to indicate that various small dog breeds with gray, white, black and auburn coats were used. However, as the Middle Ages progressed, another race appeared to be developed for this task. Some claim the Canis Vertigo is extinct, but the breed morphed into one of the breeds we know today, including the Welsh Corgi and the lesser-known Glenn of Imar Terrier. Some people think it’s just
Dangerous and tedious work
Before the British used trained dogs to turn skewers in their kitchens, humans did the work. Usually it was attributed to maids or unscrupulous workers, or used as punishment for lazy work practices. Not only was it very annoying to turn the tides all day without doing anything, it was also dangerous. Some fainted from heatstroke from sitting near the fire. Interestingly, the British cared about protecting Gore dogs, but not about people. Skewer wheels were usually mounted on the wall far away from the fire to prevent the animals from overheating.
Vernepator Training Cur
The British were adept at breeding dogs for specific purposes. For the Vernepator Cur, or Spitdog, they created a compact, powerful dog with endless energy and endurance. They also made sure the dog was smart enough to be trained. Newborn puppies were given small pieces of meat and bread as positive reinforcement to entice them to run in wheels. However, well-trained and established mongrels were punished for neglecting to drive. Hot coals and chunks of embers were thrown over the wheels to force the dogs to run.