PetzloverTurnspit Dog is originated from United Kingdom but Valley Bulldog is originated from Canada. Turnspit Dog may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Valley Bulldog. Turnspit Dog may weigh 22 kg / 48 pounds lesser than Valley Bulldog. Turnspit Dog may live 3 years more than Valley Bulldog. Turnspit Dog may have less litter size than Valley Bulldog. Both Turnspit Dog and Valley Bulldog requires Low Maintenance.
It is amazing that this small dog’s popularity comes from him being used in the kitchens to roast meat. The British enjoyed eating their meat which they roasted on a fire.
These dogs were essentially regarded as a tool – a means to an end, and when kitchens were modernized, they were no longer needed, and they became extinct.
Referred to as the kitchen dog or cooking dog, the first mention of these little dogs was made in 1576. By 1850 the dogs had become scarce and by 1900 it seemed as though there were none left.
The Valley Bulldog originates from Nova Scotia, Canada. It is thought that the Boxer, English Bulldog and the Olde English Bulldogge have been used to bring about the Valley Bulldog.
The Turnspit was a small long-bodied dog, standing at between 20 to 30cm in height and probably weighed anything between 9 and 14kg in height.
The legs were somewhat crooked or bandy and Edward Jesse, who wrote ‘Anecdote of Dogs’ in 1846 described them as ugly dogs with a miserable look to them. That was probably due to him having to fit into the hamster-like wheel contraption that turned the meat being roasted in the kitchens.
They were low-bodied dogs, similar to a Dachshund or a Corgi with short, stocky legs, short floppy ears, and a short coat. The long tail curled over its back. It is believed that the coats were white, reddish-brown, gray or black.
The dog was certainly feisty, energetic and hard-working with not much being written about his temperament. He was a working dog, but given the chance, he would no doubt have been loving and loyal, longing for the chance just to be part of a human family and to be loved.
The Valley Bulldog stands at between 36 and 46cm in height and he weighs in the region of 18 – 36kg. He is actually a taller version of an English Bulldog.
He is muscular and sturdy and has the true broad head of which the Bulldog is so familiar. He has small to medium floppy ears and a stump of a tail. He also has the flat muzzle.
The dog’s coat is short and smooth, making him fairly low maintenance, although he is a moderate shedder. It comes in typical Bulldog shades – tan, white, red, black and brindle.
The Valley Bulldog has an excellent nature, being completely non-aggressive, and when he has been trained and socialized you get a superb pet.
He’s intelligent so you won’t have any trouble learning any basic commands. He is able to get along with other pets in the home. He can be quite entertaining too as he becomes clownish, loving to be around his human family. He is also capable of being calm and gentle.
He makes a splendid playmate for children, loving the games as he is quite an energetic dog. He isn’t suited to life in a tiny home in the city because he loves to just run sometimes, and then he can be like a bull in a china shop.
The Turnspit dog had a tough life, but would no doubt have made a wonderful little pet had he just been allowed to be a companion dog.
Make sure that when you buy a dog, you don't just put him in your backyard and forget about him. Give him the love and care he deserves.
The Valley Bulldog is guaranteed to make you a splendid pet because he has such a sweet temperament.
He is such a social, playful dog too. Because of his intelligence, you won't have any trouble teaching him some basic commands. You’ll be amused and entertained by this wonderful dog in your life as his warm personality will ensure you have a true friend in him.
The health and lifespan of a dog is influenced by quite a few things such as food, care, love, exercise and the type of breed it is. Generally smaller dogs live longer than big dogs, and mixed breed dogs live longer than pure breeds.
The Turnspit dog, if he had received the proper care, could have lived to between 10 and 15 years of age.
Stress can bring on a sudden drop in blood sugar. The Turnspit had reason to be stressed, working hard in horrible conditions. Dogs become weak and lethargic and can scarcely maintain an even gait. A sudden drop in blood sugar can cause a small dog to go into a fatal coma.
This ailment seems to occur more often with smaller dogs. The pancreas becomes inflamed and your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration. Pancreatitis can come about because of trauma, metabolic disorders or infection.
It can be sad watching a dog becoming less mobile as joint problems set in. The vet can recommend a diet which can help to manage joint disease. Also, the pain associated with joint problems can be debilitating for your pet and you will want to get your pet to the vet so the pain can be managed.
These dogs have quite a few folds around the face and these areas need to be kept clean and dry. An overweight Valley Bulldog should be avoided at all costs as this can put additional weight on the joints.
This is a Brachycephalic breed so they tend to battle with breathing, particularly when they are stressed, agitated or hot. Sometimes these dogs will even gag so as to clear their airway.
Watch for coughing and choking. Such difficulties can be life-threatening for your Valley Bulldog so it is important to recognize respiratory problems with your dog.
A dog is man's best friend, but the Turnspit was essentially just a working dog and most likely didn’t receive the proper care he deserved.
Small dogs like these would have had basic needs. Their owners would have had to pay attention to the dog's health, because he needed to work.
We look at ways in which a small dog like the Turnspit should have been cared for -
One wonders if the Turnspit was allowed to eat any of the roast meat he worked so hard on to get ready. Every dog should have a regular meal.
Most adult dogs should be fed 2 meals of kibble a day. If the Turnspit wasn’t extinct he would have required a high quality ‘small dog breed’ commercial dog food. Home-made food would also be a requirement – some boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Dogs want and appreciate simple, wholesome foods that won’t upset their digestive systems.
Along with good food, dogs need cool, fresh water constantly available to stay healthy.
Make sure he gets to the veterinarian if he is sick, but also for his vaccines to prevent him from getting some of the worst dog diseases there are.
Groom your small dog regularly. The Turnspit had a shortish coat and would have required a brush twice a week. Other grooming procedures for a small dog like the Turnspit would have been keeping his nails trimmed and checking the inside of his ears and his mouth for ear infections and dental disease.
You need to be careful with a bulldog as they have sensitive stomachs and are prone towards indigestion and flatulence. They will certainly need to avoid some foods and you also want to avoid obesity at all costs. The wrong foods can also cause allergic reactions as well as dermatitis which can be very painful and frustrating.
If you have a Valley Bulldog, for your own peace of mind, speak to your veterinarian or a dog expert about the best foods for a bulldog and also the amount to feed. There are some foods that are totally toxic to bulldogs. Make sure your Valley Bulldog always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available that is easy to reach.
Have grooming sessions with your bulldog where you check inside his ears, inside his mouth for bad teeth and check his eyes and face. His nails will also need to be trimmed.
These dogs are more active than you think but you need to be careful that the exercise isn’t too strenuous. He isn’t the kind of dog that will do well with running next to you as you cycle.
Rather take him on a walk every day and give him some ball games in the garden where you can throw him a ball or allow him to pull on a rope.