Dogs of Medieval Europe

dogs of medieval Europe

Medieval Europe is usually remembered as the harsh time, Europeans have faced. Started from the 5th century and ending in the 15th, this era had many difficulties for people living in Europe.

During this time margin of comfort was little and people had a very poor diet. Women worked alongside men to ensure the smooth passing of Life.

During the Medieval age, Children had a survival rate of less than 50 percent, because of the worst diet.

Now when humans faced this much hardship, Imagine the condition of pets. When a person cannot feed himself and his family, it sounds strange that he feeds his pets well. This vigorous time brought with it a unique concept and Pets stood alongside humans to earn their food through working hard.

Dogs and Hierarchies

Dogs of the medieval Age, follow certain hierarchies. Their position in these hierarchies was determined by the type of task they perform.

Some dogs assist in household chores while others perform their duties in the capacity of Guides. Dogs also played an important role as Guards and messengers.

Being a messenger, they carry letters between different concerned people and organizations.

The Elites

Dogs that were linked with hunting and breeding were considered the elites. Dogs wear special kinds of collars that depict their status and the level of the task they used to perform.

The most popular breed of the dogs used for the hunt was the greyhound. The importance of this breed can be depicted from the fact that killing a greyhound was considered a capital crime.

Dogs of Medieval Europe

The Love Dog

As mentioned earlier Dogs were also considered as messengers to transmit messages. During the medieval period Dogs also became a linkage between loved ones.

The biggest example in history was Triston and Isolt, who got separated. Then a dog named Petitcreiu also known as the magical dog connected both.

Petitcreiu was a very special dog with unique abilities and characteristics. Triston sends Petitcreiu to Isolt to give the message that after years of separation, he still loves her.

The Loyal Dog

Dogs are always associated with loyalty. During the medieval period, there were few dogs, that will be remembered for a very long time.

Gelert, who was a dog of one of the kings from the roman empire. King has great affection and attachment with the dog that he considered him as a guardian of his infant son.

One day when the king entered his house, he saw the dog covered with blood and his son missing from the cot.

Seeing this, he instantly killed the dog. Moments later he heard the cry of his son and alongside him was the dead body of a wolf.

Dogs of Medieval Europe

Gelert saved his son from that wolf. King took this incident to his heart and he never smiled again throughout his life. Gelert is remembered as one of the great examples of loyalty from the medieval period.

Medieval Europe is an example of how dogs have been assisting humans for a very long time. Today dogs are used for the hunt and gatekeepers.

But in the medieval period, they were considered an important member of the family.

From Kitchen chores to sending and receiving messages, Dogs were the master. They knew how to perform a specific task. But over time, these practices vanished and dogs become slackers.

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