Dogs in the American Revolutionary War facts for kids

Dogs played many different roles during the time of the American Revolutionary War. Besides helping with things like hunting, dogs often went with their owners who were fighting. They gave comfort to their owners and others in the army camps. During this time, people also started to study dogs more in science and show them in art.

Dogs in the Revolutionary War

By 1775, when the Revolutionary War began, dogs were a big part of life in the Thirteen Colonies. But they weren't always welcome everywhere. For example, in 1772, leaders in Williamsburg made a law about dogs. This law said people could not own female dogs in the city. People could keep up to two male dogs, but they had to wear collars with their owner's initials. Any dogs that didn't follow these rules could be killed.

In the 1700s, science was growing and people started to research animals more. This new interest helped people think of dogs (and other animals) as having feelings and personalities, much like humans. In 1776, a clergyman named Humphrey Primatt wrote a book about being kind to animals. Some people even called it a "Declaration of Independence for animals." This idea of being kind to animals grew from the Enlightenment, which focused on humanitarianism, or caring for others.

Dogs were also becoming more popular as pets. This happened as scientists began to classify different types of plants and animals. Traditionally, dogs helped herd farm animals, carried messages, guarded their owners, and helped carry things. They also helped hunters find game. During the Revolutionary War, dogs also gave comfort to their owners who were far from home. Both British and American soldiers often adopted stray dogs and other animals as they traveled.

Famous Dogs of the War

Many important people during the Revolutionary War had dogs. These dogs were often companions and sometimes even helped with military tasks.

George Washington's Dogs

George Washington, who became the first President and was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, was very important in the Revolutionary War. At his home, Mount Vernon, Washington checked his dog kennels twice a day. He loved to visit with his hounds. He was a big hunter and kept many foxhounds for this.

While most of his dogs were for hunting, he brought his favorite dog, Sweet Lips, with him to the First Continental Congress in 1774. During the winter, he often went foxhunting a few times a week. Washington also had other favorite dogs like Venus and True Love. He wrote a lot about his rides with his foxhounds.

After the war, Washington started to experiment with dog breeding. He wanted to create a hunting dog that was fast, smart, and had a great sense of smell. In 1785, General Marquis de Lafayette sent Washington some of his favorite French hounds. Washington then used these French dogs in his breeding experiments. The American Foxhound, a dog that is lighter, faster, smarter, and taller than its French or British relatives, came from these experiments. Because of this, Washington is known as the "father of the American foxhound."

General Howe's Lost Terrier

Like George Washington, many commanders, including British General Sir William Howe, kept dogs with them during battles. During a surprise attack on the British at Germantown on October 6, 1777, Howe's fox terrier, Lila, got lost. In the confusion, Lila ended up joining the American Army as they left the battlefield.

When Howe's dog found its way into Washington's headquarters, Washington saw that the dog's collar had Howe's name on it. Washington ordered that the terrier be returned to General Howe. He even included a polite note with the dog.

General Charles Lee's Dogs

Continental Army Major General Charles Lee is remembered for his military achievements and for always traveling with many dogs. Lee was very attached to his dogs. He was known for his unusual love of dogs and for his Pomeranian named Spado.

Lee wrote to George Washington on February 9, 1777, saying how much he missed his dogs while in New York. He wrote, "I am likewise extremely desirous that My Dogs should be brought as I never stood in greater need of their Company than at present." Spado was allowed to go with his master on military trips. While in Halifax, Virginia, Lee once told someone not to let Spado eat bacon for breakfast, "lest it make him stupid."

John Adams described Lee as a "queer creature" and said that "you must love his dogs if you love him." Adams also owned dogs. His wife Abigail's favorite dog was named Juno, but another well-known dog of theirs was named Satan. One person who knew Lee said he was a "great admirer of dogs."

There's a story about Lee and his dogs involving Abigail Adams. At a party, Lee told his favorite dog, Spado, to climb on a chair and offer his paw to Abigail Adams to shake. Abigail Adams wrote about this in a letter to her husband on December 10, 1775:

I was very politely entertaind and noticed by the Generals, more especially General Lee, who was very urgent with me to tarry in Town and dine with him and the Laidies present, at Hob Goblin Hall, but I excused my self. The General was determined that I should not only be acquainted with him, but with his companions too, and therefore placed a chair before me into which he orderd Mr. Sparder to mount and present his paw to me for a better acquaintance. I could not do otherways than accept it.—That Madam says he is the Dog which Mr ....has renderd famous.

Baron von Steuben's Dogs

Baron von Steuben, a military officer from Prussia and America, was a major general in the Continental Army. He was very important in training the army at Valley Forge. Steuben was known for many unusual things, but most often for his love of dogs.

Azor, an Italian greyhound and Steuben's favorite dog, traveled with the Baron everywhere during the war. Azor's name and stories about his relationship with the Baron can be found in many accounts from people who met Steuben. Peter S. Duponceau, Steuben's Private Secretary, described Azor as "a large, spoiled Italian dog."

Images for kids

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  Major General Charles Lee, by Alexander Hay Ritchie, 1840–95.

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  An officer of the 4th Regiment of Foot, by Thomas Gainsborough, 1776–1780.

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  Christian Stelle Banister and Her Son John, by Gilbert Stuart, 1773.

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  The Hunter Dogs, by Gilbert Stuart, 1769.

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  Young Lady with a Bird and Dog, by John Singleton Copley, 1767.

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  The Return from the Hunt, by J.L.G. Ferris, c1910.

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  Mrs. Jerathmael Bowers, by John Singleton Copley, 1763.