When I see dogs depicted in portraits or other art — all the way back to cave art — I wonder what their lives were like. What kind of relationship did they have with their people? Did they live in the house? Sleep on the bed? Eat special meals?
We tend to think of these things as relatively recent developments, but are they? A photo shared on social media of the Nimrud dogs — clay figurines excavated from the ruins of Nimrud, a Mesopotamian city — inspired me to investigate one of the early eras in which dogs were important.
The Nimrud dogs, which date to 645 BCE, were discovered in 1951 and 1952 by archaeologist Max Mallowan, who is perhaps more famous for being the husband of mystery queen Agatha Christie. Mallowan was one of a number of archaeologists excavating the Assyrian city (in what is now Iraq) in search of artifacts and artworks. The period was famous for exquisitely carved ivories, but discoveries of clay and bronze figurines of dogs tell us something about the roles of dogs who lived 2,500-plus years ago.
Not surprisingly, dogs were considered guardians or watchdogs, just as they are today, but in a more supernatural way. Figures of them, buried beneath or to the sides of doorsteps, were believed to have protective powers, with the purpose of scaring away angry or evil spirits. The names with which they were inscribed tell the story: “Loud” is his bark; “Biter” of his foe; “Don’t” think, bite; “Catcher” of the enemy; “Expeller” of evil. A “fierce dog” ritual accompanied the figurine burial and was meant to “awaken” the canine protective spirit. The goddess Inanna, often called on for protection, was depicted with seven leashed dogs.
Dogs were also associated with healing. In a Jan. 12, 2017, article for worldhistory.org, Joshua J. Mark writes that dog saliva was thought to have a curative effect; hence the canine association with Gula, goddess of healing, during the Old Babylonian Period (c. 2000-1600 BCE). Gula is depicted with dogs — or as a dog — and was considered a protector of dogs as well.
The types of dogs most common in that era were sighthounds for hunting — probably much like Salukis — and mastiffs for guarding properties, palaces, and flocks. Mastiffs probably also played an important role in the military, just like they do today. City dogs likely roamed the streets during the day but went home to a specific place and person who fed and cared for them. As they roamed the city, we can imagine them helping to keep streets clean by scavenging the remains of dead animals.
Palace dogs lived in kennels, and while it seems unlikely that any of them shared a royal bed, perhaps some lay at the sleeping room door or the foot of the bed so they could ward off any dangers.
According to an article by David I. Owen, “Of Dogs and (Kennel) Men,” which appeared in a 2013 Cuneiform Digital Library Bulletin, texts documenting their meals show that kennel caretakers fed dogs the meat of sheep and oxen in the form of soups and stews; cooked fish; bread; and fodder, such as grain.
As seen in ancient art, such as plaques found at the site of the palace of Nineveh, collars and leashes were in use. They ranged from simple cords or ropes tied around the neck to those made of fabric, leather or elaborate precious metals. Some were decorated with tassels. The collars of dogs belonging to noble families bore not only the dog’s name, but also the family name. In addition to having their names on collars, some dogs were depicted on an owner’s personal seal — evidence of their high standing.