The Tudors Beloved Pets Pt 2

And there were laws on the books that decreed that certain sizes of dogs kept near the King's forests had to be crippled to prevent their being used for poaching. Only dogs small enough to jump through a hoop of a set size were allowed to go unharmed. "Greyhounds, mastiffs and hounds were barred from the court, to keep the household sweet, wholesome, clean, and well furnished. The only exception to this regulation was that ladies spaniels and lap-dogs were sanctioned, since it was thought wholesome for a weak stomach to bear such a dog in the bosom".

In William Secord's book Dog Painting, the picture on the left painted in 1440, by Antonio Pisano, The Vision of St. Eustace, depicts a group of animals including a pair of small spaniels which Secord notes are "no doubt ancestors of our present day King Charles Spaniels. " These small Spaniels with their flat heads, high set ears, almond shaped eyes and rather pointed noses are also to be seen in paintings by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Gainsborough and others. Often referred to as the Comforter Spaniel, they were very much in favor with the aristocracy during Tudor times when the ladies of the court found them very useful not only as companions and confidants but also as hot-water bottles and flea catchers.
How Pets were viewed in Tudor Times
In the Middle Ages, the purebred dog became the prized possession of Kings, Noblemen, and surprisingly,English Mastiff Church officials as a new use was developed for the dog when hunting for sport became popular.

The English Mastiff and Greyhound became standardized, recognizable breeds this time, as did a few of the herding breeds. The lap dog finally became popular in Europe as the ladies of the court took to them as 'comforters'. Even the dog's collar became a measure of the dog's importance, some examples being made of gold, silver, white leather, and velvet.
16th Century Dog Armour

The Great Dane & the Mastiff accompanied their masters into battle fitted with spiked collars, and occasionally, their own suit of armor.

Dogs were everywhere. Early Church documents show that it was common for the parishioners to bring their dogs to services with them as foot warmers. Dogs figured prominently enough in daily life that they became the objects of a number of laws. For instance, the Ownership of a Scottish Deerhound or Greyhound was kept off limits from all but the Nobility.

English Greyhound

And there were laws on the books that decreed that certain sizes of dogs kept near the King's forests had to be crippled to prevent their being used for poaching. Only dogs small enough to jump through a hoop of a set size were allowed to go unharmed. "Greyhounds, mastiffs and hounds were barred from the court, to keep the household sweet, wholesome, clean, and well furnished. The only exception to this regulation was that ladies spaniels and lap-dogs were sanctioned, since it was thought wholesome for a weak stomach to bear such a dog in the bosom".

Toy Spaniels

The Upper classes were known to have lapdogs like toy spaniels; At the beginning of the 15th century the little spaniels were immensely popular due to King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I. They chose these glamorous spaniels as the favourite dog at court.

A status which remained until the overthrow of the Stuarts. Queen Mary I(1553-58) kept a whole pack of little spaniels which she used for hunting.

Some even had exotic pets like monkeys and a marmoset". Katherine of Aragon owned a pet monkey, she appears with it in a miniature by Lucas Horenbout (see below).

Henry VIII kept canaries and nightingales in ornamental birdcages hanging in windows at Hampton Court. He also kept ferrets, although he forbade courtiers to do so.

Henry's favourite pets were his dogs, especially beagles, spaniels and greyhounds.