Object number
56/18
Exhibition
Description
This dog bit is a metal device which was put in the mouth of sheepdog to prevent it from biting sheep. It is thought to have been made by a blacksmith in Piddletrenthide, Dorset, and was used in the Piddletrenthide area by a local shepherd.
Physical description
1 dog bit: metal (wrought iron); good condition
Label Text
Dog bit. This dog bit would have been placed in the mouth of a sheepdog to prevent it from biting - or 'gripping' - sheep while working. It is thought to have been made by a blacksmith in Piddletrenthide, Dorset, and used by a local shepherd. It was probably made in the late 19th century. Dog bits are not used on sheepdogs any more, and instead gripping is discouraged through the use of calm, clear verbal commands. Gripping usually takes place when a dog is overly stressed or excited.
Production place
Piddletrenthide
Production date
1875-01-01 - 1899-12-31
Production period
Late-nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_1565.tif - High resolution image
