Dogs were by far the most popular of Victorian domestic pets. By Victorian times, many distinct dog breeds existed, though by no means as many as one can find today. A breeder today might also have some trouble recognizing the Victorian version of his favorite dog! Victorian pooches could be just as pampered, and just as expensively, as any dog today, or more so - with jeweled collars and fine furniture. Dog stories and anecdotes also abound in Victorian magazines. Many such tales invest dogs with near-human sensibilities (and, indeed, many verge on being miniature morality tales). Victorian dog stories quite often end with the death of the beloved pet, so be prepared for a few sniffles. It's comforting, however, to note that Victorians saw nothing shameful or odd in grieving the loss of a beloved animal companion!

Dog Breeds

Typical Dogs (Century, 1885B)

A look at various breeds and their characteristics, with lovely pictures.

Among Dogs of High Degree, by Noah Brooks (St. Nicholas, 1889)

Hunting hounds, the aristocracy of the canine world.

The Bloodhound, by Edwin Brough (Century, 1889B)

Funny Foreign Dogs, by Gambier Bolton (Windsor, 1898A)

Caring for Dogs

London Dogs (Leisure Hour, 1860)

Crochet Jacket for a Greyhound (Godey's, 1873)

Too cute to pass up -- and proof that decorating dogs in silly-looking outfits has a long history...

Our Pets: How to Manage Pet Dogs (Little Folks, 1878)

Our Four-Footed Friends: Dogs, by Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

Dandy Dogs, by William G. FitzGerald (The Strand, 1896A)

Think pampered pooches are a modern development? Think again! Diamond collars, designer jackets and French fashions were available to the well-do-do Victorian dog as well!

Pet Dogs, and How to Train Them (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

Practical Points of Law, by A Lawyer

Includes Introduction, Dogs, Education, Fire Assurance, Property Fixtures, Life Assurance, Infants/Children, Servants, Swindles, Tenants, Travel, Wedlock, Wills, Popular Errors

True Tales of Man's Best Friend

Wonderful Journey of a Greyhound (Leisure Hour, 1860)

The Dog of Montargis (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

The tale of a medieval dog who identified the murderer of his master - and convicted him in trial by combat!

Brigham, the Cave Dog, by H.C. Hovey (St. Nicholas, 1882A)

Brigham was a self-appointed guide dog to the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

Jack, the Railway Dog (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

Jack, a fox terrier, liked nothing better than to ride the rails (unless it was hanging about train stations, where he was likely to get a "biscuit"). He was so well known that he had a lifetime "free pass" on the Brighton-South Coast line.

A Dog Story (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1884)

A rather tragic tale of a dog who doesn't get "taken along for the ride."

A Doggie Story, by Ruth Lamb (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

A touching tale of how a lost dog was reunited with his master.

Tales of Mr. Smith, by Evelyn Everett-Green

Mr. Smith: A Dog (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1886)

More About Mr. Smith (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1887)

Mr. Smith (poem), by Wilfred Woollam (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

Mr. Smith and His Friends [the Horses] (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1890)

Mr. Smith in His New Home (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1891)

Some Favourite Dogs, by Evelyn Everett Green (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

The author of the wonderful stories of Mr. Smith reminisces about some of the dogs of her childhood.

Turk: General Winfield S. Hancock's Dog Friend, by Gertrude Van R. Wickham (St. Nicholas, 1889)

Dog Stories (Pictorial Museum of Sport & Adventure, ca. 1890)

The Wild Dog of Ennerdale (North Country Lore, 1890)

About Two Dogs I Knew (Stories of History, 1891)

Luna, a master of deception, and Donald, who preferred to travel by hansom cab.

Hereditary Traits, by Alexander Cargill (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1891)

A rather rambling piece on heredity, interesting primarily for its dog anecdotes.

My Mongrel: The Story of a Lost Dog (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1891)

Besides being a touching story of a dog, this gives an interesting look at how lost dogs are found and managed in London.

My Neighbor's Dogs by Arthur Morrison (The Strand, 1892A)

Our Friend the Fox Terrier, by H. Avery (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1893)

The exploits of a delightful fox terrier named Jack.

Hanoum: A Mongrel of Stamboul (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1894)

The Dogs of Celebrities (The Strand, 1894B)

Fuzzles, The Story of a Puppy, by G.B. Burgin (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1894)

"You really haven't the audacity to call that a dog! It's more like Berlin wool-work than anything else!"

Jack: My Fox Terrier, by Daniel Dormier (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

Yet another delightful fox terrier named Jack.

From the Jaws of a Wolf: A Tale of a Dog's Bravery (Chums, 1895)

The Pets of the Regiments: Army Animals in Peace and War, by D.H. Parry (Chums, 1895)

Animal Actualities 3: A Dog Story (The Strand, 1898)

The tale of Zig, an avid retriever of items from the bottoms of ponds.

Animal Actualities 7: The Discomfited Pug (The Strand, 1898)

Outwitted by a captive raven!

Animal Actualities 10: A Puppy's Amazement (The Strand, 1899)

Never steal a snack from a tortoise.

Animal Actualities 13: A Chip Off the Old Block (The Strand, 1899)

Evidence that sheep-dogs are born, not made.

Animal Actualities 14: A Sad Dog (The Strand, 1899)

The effects of strong drink aren't pretty... especially when bowser's the boozer.

Canine Guests by Philip G. Hamerton (Chapters on Animals, 1900)

Dogs by Philip G. Hamerton (Chapters on Animals, 1900)

A Clever Little Pomeranian (Good Words, 1902)

For Our Bairns (Sunday Strand, 1902)

The account of a spaniel's visit to the "surgery" - with some charming photos of the dog in "hospital dress."

• See also Royal Pets