DOG BREEDS IN THE 19TH CENTURY

These pictures were taken at the Rothschild Zoological Museum, Tring, England during 2004 and 2006 (all photos Sarah Hartwell).

These are photos of the miniature lapdogs: the Russian Lapdog and Mexican Lapdog (with other breeds for size comparison). The actual specimens are about the size of hamsters, however it must be noted that Victorian taxidermists often stuffed and mounted juveniles to look like adults. The specimens here are juveniles.


Shown in front of a Bruxelles Griffon for scale. To the left is the Russian Lapdog, to the right is the Mexican Lapdog. Both are white, fluffy and the size of a large hamster.


The Mexican Lapdog. For those who think the "hamster-size" is an exaggeration, some idea of scale can be gained by comparing the 2 Lapdogs to the Griffon and to the labels, which are the same height and typeface for all the breeds shown on this page.


The Mexican and Russian Lapdogs shown with a Poodle (clipped in an old style) and Bruxelles Griffon for scale.


The skull of a juvenile Russian Lapdog shown with that of a Saint Bernard for comparison of size.

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