Complete Carting Dogs Information

The sound of butchers' carts' iron wheels rattling along the cobbled streets of London in the early hours of the morning was a regular occurrence in medieval times. Meat was taken from Smithfield Market to shops all over the city and the carts were frequently drawn by dogs. These caused considerable disturbance as dawn broke because drivers were in the habit of racing each other, their dogs barking furiously with excitement. It was not unusual to see children arriving in carts similar to small goat carts, pulled by one or two substantial dogs, such as Newfoundlands. In Newfoundland itself dogs were used for the very same purpose, as well as for pulling wood from the forests to the houses.

Costermongers used carts on weekdays to sell fruit and vegetables and the very same ones doubled up at weekends as a means of conveying their sweethearts on leisurely outings. The dog cart was certainly used for many varied purposes. A woodcut of 1837 depicts the cats' meat man, with the vendor sitting on the back of the cart proffering meat on a skewer to any passer by that may have shown an interest. Beneath the woodcut is the following poem:
They call me 'Paunch the Cats' meat Swell'
In Peter's Street I dwells, Sir
I keep my whittlin hoffice there
And mousers' grub I sell, Sir

Carts were also used for personal travel, not only for trade. John Gregory, born in Scotland in 1799, had lost both his legs whilst still young due to a coal mine explosion in the north of England. In order to get about as easily as possible, Gregory used a dog cart and this poem explains his reasons for doing so:
The reason why I keeps a dog
And drives about and begs,
Is not because my betters does,
But 'cause I've lost my legs.

Continental dog carts
In Belgium and Holland during the twentieth century, dogs and their carts rendered such precious service to small traders and those in agriculture that no public authority dared suppress their use. There would have been an outcry had the cart been prohibited and the consequences disastrous, with many relatively affluent households finding themselves penniless.

In compromise, a club for the improvement of the draught dog was established to include encouragement of breeding dogs most suitable for the purpose. It aimed to improve the harnessing of dogs, they were to be better led and their carts better balanced and better moving. Drivers were offered advice and given opportunities to win prizes, ranging from diplomas and medals to cash.

In the 1930s, Belgium's markets were still busy with numerous small dog carts drawn by happy, barking dogs, most seeming well-pleased with their strenuous work. However, the carts were not only used by market gardeners, but also by milkmen and maids, butchers, bakers and even coal merchants. In most cases only one or two dogs were harnessed, but sometimes there were as many as five, cost of purchasing such a dog was in the region of £4 and they were usually fed on horse flesh which seemed to suit them well.

The laws relating to draught dogs in Holland not very strictly employed but carts were also in Switzerland, Austria and Czechoslovakia re their use was regulated by municipal councils. Dogs too old, too young, in whelp or still suck-a litter could not be used, and the minimum height of a draught dog was 61 cm (24 in). Dogs could not be left harnessed to their carts in the sun some carts were adapted so that dogs the chance to lie down under cart while deliveries were made. No child under the age of 14 years was allowed to supervise with carts.

Attaching the dog
Harnesses had to be padded on those parts which came into contact with the dog, and vehicles with fewer than four wheels had either to have a support, or shafts curling outward so they did not hinder the dog if it wished to lie down. A third shaft was fitted to prevent the load pressing on the neck of the dog. Carts had to be on springs, axles greased and there were weight restrictions and instructions regarding dogs being covered in inclement weather.

Carts become illegal
In Britain the dog cart was officially made illegal in the nineteenth century, brought about largely by the coaching companies who were in competition with the dog-drawn carts, in particular for the delivery of parcels. Most of those who used carts were considered low social class and, with society as it was then; there was no difficulty in getting the Act passed.