British Dogs At Work

British Dogs at Work (1906) by A. Croxton Smith – A. & C. Black

ISBN: None
Condition: Good
Published: 1906
Offered by: Crappy Old Books

There was a time when dogs were expected to earn their living, rather than spend their afternoons occupying expensive sofas, consuming specially formulated organic dinners and attending appointments with canine behavioural therapists because they had developed an unfortunate attitude towards the postman.

Welcome to British Dogs at Work, A. Croxton Smith’s splendid 1906 exploration of the working dog, published by A. & C. Black during an age when man’s best friend was also expected to be man’s unpaid employee.

Long before the modern fashion for designer breeds, elaborate grooming regimes and personalised dog birthday cakes, dogs performed an extraordinary variety of practical occupations. They guarded property, retrieved game, tracked quarry, assisted shepherds, protected livestock and generally demonstrated that possessing four legs and an excellent sense of smell could be considerably more useful than an expensive university education.

Croxton Smith belonged to a generation that regarded dogs with considerable admiration, not merely as affectionate companions but as intelligent, capable animals whose remarkable abilities had been refined through centuries of selective breeding and practical experience.

Here we encounter the fascinating world of Britain’s working breeds, from the disciplined sheepdog managing an entire flock with astonishing precision to the determined terrier enthusiastically investigating places that sensible creatures would prefer to avoid.

There are sporting dogs whose enthusiasm for retrieving things borders upon the obsessive, hounds whose noses apparently possess supernatural powers, and assorted canine specialists whose occupational dedication would put much of the modern workforce to shame.

The relationship between humans and working dogs was, of course, not always entirely sentimental. These animals had serious jobs, and their value was frequently measured through performance, endurance, intelligence and usefulness rather than their ability to look adorable in a Christmas jumper.

Published in 1906, this volume offers a fascinating glimpse into Edwardian Britain, when agriculture, hunting, country pursuits and the management of rural estates depended heavily upon the abilities of working animals.

It also records attitudes towards dogs and their employment that have changed considerably over the subsequent century, making the book as interesting historically as it is from a canine perspective.

Condition: Good. A respectable antiquarian copy showing the natural signs of age, handling and previous ownership. Having survived approximately 120 years, it has demonstrated a degree of loyalty and endurance entirely appropriate to its subject.

Naturally, there is no ISBN. In 1906, books were identified without barcodes, and dogs were expected to recognise their owners without microchips, electronic trackers or smartphone applications.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where vintage canine literature is appreciated, hardworking terriers are admired, and nobody is required to sit, stay or roll over before completing a purchase.

A delightful collectible for enthusiasts of dogs, British rural history, Edwardian sporting literature and the remarkable relationship between humanity and its most industrious animal companion.

A reminder that before dogs became pampered members of the family, many were already doing more useful work than the people who owned them.

Keep browsing: See more Animals books Other books by A Croxton Smith