19th Century Dogs

Prior to the nineteenth century, most of the population subsisted on plain fare, produced and grown locally. Dogs were generally left to fend for themselves. A lucky few were provided with a share of the family’s daily rations—whatever that happened to be. For instance, in Ireland, many dogs subsisted entirely on potatoes. The precise nutritional requirements of man’s best friend could hard- ly be described as an overriding concern to dog owners.
If they considered the matter at all, most people believed that gastronomic aus- terity was the best regime for dogs. Working and hunting dogs were fed spar- ingly, and often fasted to promote a tough constitution and keenness for game.
“Most people prefer a much smaller proportion of meat