For #NationalDogDay this August, the Museum of English Rural Life shared a tweet asking people to submit stories of their dogs who were bred for particular purposes that they never actually fill. Replies started to pour in and these are the best ones we could find.
Enjoy!
This is Murdoch. The legendary “Cú Faoil” or Irish Wolfhound. Bred for hunting wolves, elk and pulling grown men off their horses in battle. These days he’s a professional cuddler, pork chop thief and is surprised by his own farts 💛💛💛 pic.twitter.com/MolXasrpoa
— Shuri Okoye Nakia Page (@rainaepage) August 26, 2018
Latvian Sausagehound. Sadly stuck in a Kampala garden where due to her cretinous nature all she can hunt is older, weaker loaves of bread. pic.twitter.com/YL33NMFAA9
— Will Boase (@willboase) August 26, 2018
Emmett is a foxhound but he’s a lover not a hunter. pic.twitter.com/xiUutxVJjc
— Grant Clauser (@UnIambic) August 26, 2018
This is Kyra who was bred to 'spring' game fowl from moorland. The only practical thing she does now is discovering sources of water, but as we live in Scotland, this isn't really that useful. pic.twitter.com/CBr14pJLKo
— EdgeofMull (@EdgeofMull) August 26, 2018
Woody my 15 year old chocolate Labrador … works hard relentlessly on a daily basis to relieve you of any food you are trying to eat 👍 pic.twitter.com/qzpAx8lm0C
— Diana Mahon (@dianamahon) August 26, 2018
This is Percy, our rescue Saluki x. Salukis are the 'greyhounds of the desert', bred to hunt gazelles, etc. In 4 years P has caught one squirrel, which was released, unharmed, from his jaws. Much prefers sleeping, dozing & napping 🙂 pic.twitter.com/JV8P3ja6Lh
— Dr Ruth Sims (@r_sims1) August 26, 2018
This is Winston. He trained to be a guide dog but failed for being too lazy or, officially, ‘low motivation’ 🙄 now spends 95% of his time snoozing pic.twitter.com/JWeK25T3D8
— Ciara Costello (@CiaraCostello12) August 26, 2018
This is Kodi, he's a rescue, pretty sure he's part ridgeback (bred for killing lions) and part obsessive ball chaser who lives in fear of water. Always makes sure you don't wake up from a nap alone. He's a good boy. pic.twitter.com/0021bZj6Xq
— Antsy One (@iamnottense) August 26, 2018
Archie, a Cocker Spaniel. Bred to be a gun dog, chasing on command. Barks at the clock. pic.twitter.com/qwhWLNdtkI
— Sarah Morriss (@Hot_Toast) August 26, 2018
Piper is a Bernese Mountain Dog. Bred to protect and move herds of cattle. Also a drafting animal…apparently can pull 10x her weight, so…1200 pounds?! She enjoys sleeping at least 19 hours a day. Occasionally moves from bed to couch. pic.twitter.com/ZQ4Nd1oNuT
— Shelby Williams (@shelbygwilliams) August 26, 2018
This is Tilly the golden retriever. She quickly learnt that if she waited long enough we would retrieve the items so she didn't have to. She spent the rest of her life looking god damn fabulous! pic.twitter.com/JJpnkdIGIH
— Ginny D-W (@helloginnybatty) August 26, 2018
Lucy the Siberian Husky was bred for pulling sleds and listening for danger. Now, the sound of cheese wrappers never escapes her… pic.twitter.com/QgTg6xllq6
— Robbawho (@Robbawho) August 26, 2018
This is Edmund, an English Pointer, bred for working on game shoots. He is a spoiled, idle layabout with absolutely no discipline, a tendency to sod off over the horizon and an unfortunate habit of chasing anything with feathers or fur. We love him lots, the useless sod. pic.twitter.com/5HzCICgCpk
— Vikki (@TetchyBitch) August 26, 2018
William is a dachshund, bred to go down badger and rabbit sets to flush them out. He doesn't even know how to dig. pic.twitter.com/LTCoiBPMeT
— Laura Piper (@Mattypriorfan) August 26, 2018
This is Gregor, he was bred and trained to be a guide dog for the blind but he was too friendly and got distracted by new friends so he’s now a house pet and he’s thriving pic.twitter.com/bhLEtfJODi
— Melanie Powell (@8mpowell8) August 26, 2018
This is Newton. He is a poodle- originally bred to hunt ducks in water. He is terrified of water, but will keep your feet warm under a desk for hours. Deals with mailman daily. pic.twitter.com/tg8DSl1wtI
— Laurie March (@Laurie_March) August 26, 2018
Charlie – bred to herd sheep. Much more comfortable being wise. pic.twitter.com/genWyLcAVS
— Rebecca Scotyon (@Rachael65085980) August 26, 2018
This is Buddy, bred to hunt foxes.
Prefers to drink cosmos and have bar nibbles. pic.twitter.com/nOQVO22VOg— Lisa Kerrdashian (@MonaLisez) August 26, 2018
