This is fun!
Today, I would call this dog a lurcher, which is a cross between a greyhound or whippet and another breed (usually terrier or sheepdog). He has the long face and lack of a stop that greyhounds have. But I have no idea if lurchers existed back then.

Maaike

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Van: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites [[log in to unmask]] namens Sarah McClure [[log in to unmask]]
Verzonden: donderdag 18 december 2014 16:04
Aan: [log in to unmask]
Onderwerp: Re: [ZOOARCH] MISTERIOUS DOG

Hi everyone,

Thanks Arturo - and since we are on the subject (and I too have friends with inquiring minds and need to use the ace), what breed does her hubby, Henry the Pious, Duke of Saxony, have with him in his Cranach the Elder portrait?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_IV,_Duke_of_Saxony

Best,

Sarah

On Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 8:07 AM, Rebecca Reynolds <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Could it be a Löwchen? Translated as "lion dog". The painting depicts it as having its bottom half to be sheared to emphasise a lion-like appearance on its upper body. Though this was a very fashionable way of grooming dogs at the time. The breed dates back to 1442 which makes it very plausible in this painting.  It could also be an early Bichon which are also attested very early on but the modern breed is apparently quite different from the original.  

Best wishes, 

Rebecca 

Rebecca Reynolds PhD MSc BA

Zooarchaeologist

On 18 Dec 2014, at 12:32, Arturo Morales <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Would any of you dog freaks have an idea of what kind of “breed”/racial group/trunk or other non-conventional taxonomic category, does the dog  in Duchess Katarina von Mecklenburg’s portrait represent?

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5fqwz3s0r9u0e2k/18e-Lucas_Cranach_the_Elder_-_Duchess_Katharina_von_Mecklenburg_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg?dl=0

 

This is the typical child, next-to-impossible-to-answer, question one is  not supposed to ask decent people, but this friend of mine has this peculiar idea that I know absolutely nothing about animals, and although one could say there’s an element of truth in it (as the Brits would put it!), the idiot doesn’t know that I hold the ZOOARCH ace in my sleeve……………….

 

Cheers to all

 

Arturo

PS. In case this  matters, the time frame here would be 1510-1560, when the Reformation was at its zenith in Europe.

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Sarah B. McClure, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Anthropology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802

Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 814-863-2694
http://www.anthro.psu.edu/