I’m using this image (from the CMA Library’s wonderful collection) in a project and thought you might enjoy seeing it as well …
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I was also reminded of the last time I used this image, in an article on Dog-carts (by the late Tom Ryder), in the August issue of the magazine. If you’re a CAA member and/or a subscriber to The Carriage Journal, you may have already read this, but in case you’re not (yet), or in case you missed it, here’s an excerpt:
“The name ‘Dog-cart’ had its origin in the shooting carts that had accommodation for hunting dogs such as pointers or setters; they first appeared in the early years of the nineteenth century. These carts seated four persons, back to back, and provided accommodation for a pair of dogs under the seat. Venetian slats in the sides of the cart allowed a free flow of air for the dogs under the seat. The four-wheeled version of the Dog-cart had its original in the Shooting Phaeton of the late eighteenth century. The type was called a Double Dog-cart or Dog-cart Phaeton by some makers.”
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Here’s an image of a Dog-cart (almost) in use:
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The Slower Road 
January 17, 2013 at 12:49 pm
DOG CARTS The Dog-cart is either of the two-wheeled variety or the four-wheel variety, some people think though that when it is a four-wheel vehicle the distinction should be made to called it “Dog-cart Phæton.” The word phæton is spelled with æ. In going through 19th century trade literature manufacturers did not always make the distinction of four-wheeled dog-cart as a Dog-cart Phæton.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word dog-cart is first found used in 1803 in a letter to Mrs. Sharpe in which it says: “He keeps horses and curricles, and dogs and dog-carts, and gives dinners at the Blue Boar alehouse to all the rascallity of Oxford.”
In checking the classifieds in the 18th century newspapers the first used of the word dog-cart was found to be 14 years before the date of 1803, on August 12, 1789 in the Morning Post and Daily Advertiser (London, England): “By Messrs. Tattersals, On Monday Next, Three Brace of Setters, steady to Dog and Bird, have been used together constantly; and also Two Brace of Pointers, with a Dog Cart, all the property of a Gentleman who is obliged to give up shooting on account of his health.” There are also other classifieds before 1803 that mention dog-carts: 1796, a remarkable good dog-cart; 1799, house-hold sale with dog-cart; 1799, a very convenient dog cart; 1801, to be sold, a black cropped gelding to draw a dog-cart.
When looking through the classifieds for further clues that might describe what kind of vehicle the dog-cart is besides being used to carry dogs there are a few clues: 1804, Likewise a particularly light chaise, (previously referred to as the dog-cart), calcualted to carry one person; a Brace of dogs, &c. would suit a traveller having occasion to carry much luggage; 1804, a light basket dog cart, only been run a month; 1805, To be sold, a Curricle Dog Cart, has only been run four months, hung remarkable high very easy and light, with shafts to drive as tandem, and an occasional seat behind to carry four; 1805, property of a Gentleman, very complete tandem, or single horse dog cart; 1805, to be sold, a dog cart, with baroache seats for four, capable of carrying 4 dogs, place for gun-cases, game, portmanteau, pistols, and every convenience for travelling, has been built only four months(this sounds like what would be later called a cocking cart a seat mounted on the back of the cart facing forward); 1806, a tandem dog cart; 1806, Dog cart, which was built by Bernard, of Old Band-street, on a new, well approved fashionable principle, very light, and remarkable handsome
THE DOGS.
In checking the old sporting guides it is unclear as to why the dogs needed to travel in cart other than in the World (London) newspaper of January 19, 1791 the following article states: “in travelling greyhounds, recommend the walking them, in preference to a conveyance in the dog-cart; as they are less likely to be cramped, and if walked at the rate of five miles an hour only, will not be subject to foot-sore.”
In 1808 the Colonel Thornton’s hunting party is described as having a dog cart, which carried milk-white terriers, and beautiful greyhounds which wore embroidered coats of the different matches they had won. Along with the previous description of a dog cart carrying guns, etc., there seems to be kind of ritual to turning out a hunting party. In 1832 the following description is given of a turnout for hunting party using a dog cart: “Dogs, guns, copper caps, ammunition certificates, cigars, liqueurs, puzzling pins, dog boys, and all other items being ready, the dog-cart is overhauled. This is an excellent invention for the carriage of men and brutes together. How these partners formerly got to the mountains I do not remember, but at present a dog-cart is as necessary to convey dogs and sportsmen, &c. to the mountains, as a steamer is now to the cross-channel.”
In 1856 John Walsh (pseud. Stonehenge) give the following information as to what accessories to carry in the dog-cart when going to a coursing match: “Spiced meat balls, brandy or whisky, waterproof clothing, and spare cloths for dogs, muzzles in case they fight, leading straps, sponge, cold water, food in tin cases, bluestone, Canada balsam spread on leather for wounds, needles and thread, bandages, lancet, and Friar’s balsam.”
FELTON’S SHOOTING PHAETON OF 1896.
The dog-cart does not appear in Felton’s 1894 or 1896 edition of a “A Treatise On Carriages,” however Felton illustrates and describes a four-wheeled Shooting Phaeton and mentions a Shooting Gig. The following description is given of the “Shooting Phaeton:” “This, like the Sociable, is an uncommon carriage, but also peculiarly convenient for the purpose designed, which is that of shooting from. Gigs have been commonly used for the occasion, but this being more steady, and carrying more conveniences than a Shooting Gig, is much to be preferred….The body is a half-paneled-chaise, fixed on a platform, and of a sufficient width for two persons to fit in; at a distance behind it is an encircled chair body, fixed on the same platform, which can only contain one person to fit in. The bodies are placed at a convenient distance from each other, in order to give room between them for a sunk bottom, or well, for carrying fowling-pieces or game. When used for shooting, the gentleman occupies the back seat, and the servant drives; at other times, the gentleman drives and the servant sits behind. The ends of the well and boots are beveled to each others form, for the advantage of room: in the boot the dogs may be carried, but their situation is more comfortable and easy under the seat of the fore body, which may be railed on purpose. They are useful carriages, at other times, to travel with, and the servant may (without riding on horseback) be also carried in a situation that is proper, comfortable, and convenient at call.” 1896 edition pages 90-91, plate XL. From a 1807 classified we learn that Shooting cart or gig is the same thing as Dog cart and a 1838 classified also refers to a Shooting gig and Dog cart being the same thing.
TANDEM CART 1810.
One of the first illustrations of the dog cart is in a painting by John Emery in 1810 in which the vehicle is being driven tandem. It is a two wheeled vehicle clearly showing a square type body with louvers or slats in the body for ventilation, which must be no doubt for transporting live animals (cocks or dogs). This vehicle however does not have the dos-à-dos seating which would later define the fashionable dog-cart, it only has one seat for the driver. British Museum # 1849,0210.80
FOUR-WHEELED DOG CART.
A four wheeled vehicle named a dog-cart for transporting 8 or 9 dogs is shown in Stonehenge’s 1857 edition of “Manual of British Rural Sports.” It also shows the louvers or slats in the body for the ventilation of the dogs, and has a folding top of over the driver’s seat. pages 199, 202.
DOG-CART FOR 1837 BARELY MENTION.
In 1837 Adams’s only gives a passing mention of the dog-cart in his comprehensive book “English Pleasure Carriages,” the defining characteristic at this time seems to be high wheels and a body with Venetian blinds for ventilation for the dogs. page 245.
INFLUENCE OF TAX STAUTES.
In the 1875 edition of the “Book of the Horse,” by Samuel Sidney he believed that the evolution of the fashionable dog-cart was influenced by the English people trying to escape an oppressive tax on pleasure carriages. Sidney had this to say: “In 1843 the Chancellor of the English Exchequer, desirous of throwing a sop to the ever-distressed and discontented agricultural interest, exempted all two-wheeled carriages not costing more than 21 pounds, from the assessed tax, provided the name of the owner was painted in letters, not less than four inches in length on a conspicuous part of the vehicle. This exemption created a new and large class of two-wheeled vehicles which, although the exemption has been repealed, flourish to this day, under the name of Dog-Carts, Malvern Carts, Leamington Carts, Whitechapels, Norfolk Shooting Carts. The first crop were actual Dog-Carts, constructed to carry four persons (each pair being, instead of vis-á-vis, dos-á-dos), mounted on very high wheels, sometimes called “Oxford Bounders,” with ample room for the conveyance of dogs or luggage. Long letters of attenuated shape made the names of the owners almost illegible. A bill which, duly receipted for 20 pounds 19 shillings, satisfied the tax-gatherer, was followed by another bill for extras, in the shape of seat-cushions, rugs and lamps, which brought up the total coast to from 25 to 30 pounds,…”
TAX STATUES FOR CARTS.
The different tax options that Sidney is referring to started sometime around 1812 and ranged from an exemption to lesser assessment for a tax or duty.
The following description is for an exemption of tax on a cart in 1822: “Case IV. Any [common stage, 52G.3. c.93. id. ibid.] cart kept truly and without fraud to be used wholly in the affairs of husbandry, or in the carriage of goods in the course of trade, and whereon the name and place of residence of the owner, and the words “common stage cart,” shall be legibly painted, although the owner, or his servant or servants, shall or may, [for the purpose of driving or conducting the same only, 52 G. 3. C.93. id. ibid.] occasionally ride therein or thereon when laden, or when returning from any place to which, or when going to any place from which any load shall have been or shall be carried in such carriage in the course of husbandry or trade; or for conveying the owners thereof, or their families, to or from any place of divine worship on Sunday, or on Christmas day, or on Good Friday, or on any day appointed for a public fast or thanksgiving, or for carrying persons going to or returning from the elections of members to scrye in parliament, in case such carriage shall not have been or be used for any other purpose of riding thereon or therein, save as aforesaid, or let to hire for any such purposes of riding therein.”
This 1823 tax statue gives a little more information on a reduced assessment for tax: “Class IV.–Carriages with less than four wheels, drawn by one horse, made of wood and iron, without any other than a tilted covering, and no lining or springs, or any ornament whatever, and with the words “A Taxed Cart,” and the owner’s name and place of abode, in letters an inch long, and which did not originally cost more than 15l.–11. 9s. yearly. If such carriage be built with springs, or have a stuffed seat, and the original cost not more than 21l. –21, 15s. yearly. Taxed Carts used by persons assessed to the duty on carriages, 6l. 10s. yearly for each.”
The 1846 tax statue gave additional instruction on how the name is to be painted: “Provided such carriage have the owner’s name and address in full, written in black letters on a white ground, or white letters on a black ground, such letters being at least two inches in height, and of a proportionate width….and also the words “Common Stage Cart,” are painted thereon, in the same manner as above described.”
There are cases as late as 1868 when assessed taxes on two-wheeled vehicles are being determined by the judges of appeal. One such case Mr. James Jameson of Tiverton in the county of Devon a licensed hawker and draper has a dog-cart with his name clearly painted on it with his occupation and location and only uses his cart for business was still assessed for taxes, the commissioners claiming it was neither considered a waggon, van, cart, or other such carriage (in other words was too fancy).
“In due course of time the original dog-cart design was altered to conform to the requirements of ordinary family use, and carriage-makers consulted the wants and wishes of family customers of both sexes, who, requiring a cheap carriage, would submit to the title of dog cart, although they kept neither greyhounds nor pointers, but decidedly objected to perching on lofty wheels at the mercy of a stumbling horse.” We know from the Carriage Builders’ and Harness Makers’ Art Journal of London and the New York Coach-makers’ Magazine that the modern two-wheel and four-wheel dog-cart had become well defined by the 1850s, with an endless variety being made by coach-builders. The defining characteristics by this time was dos-à-dos seating; an end-gate that could be lowered for a foot-board; square or angular body for storage; real or imitation louvers or paneling on the side of the body; mail or half elliptic springs. For the two-wheeled dog cart this cart was now rather heavy as it could carry from one to four people, therefore a mechanism was usually included on the better class of dog-cart for shifting the body to balance the cart. “There was the Ballesden, Leamington, Nottingham, Worthing, Worcester, etc. –suited to every size of animal, from the curates’s pony to the reckless Coach horse, running so low to the ground as to make the worst calamity of a tripping horse the breaking of his knees. Thus dog carts became so universal that the expression, “I will send the Dog Cart to meet you, became a common postscript to letters. The dog cart eventually became an aristocratic vehicle for gentlemen’s driving, retaining much of its original form. For tandem-driving the dog cart came to be considered the vehicle par excellence.”
ONE OF THE BEST VEHICLES TO TRAVEL IN.
The noteworthy virtues of a four-wheeled and two-wheel dog cart as an excellent vehicle to be use for traveling are told in the writings of several authors. James Hissey in his 1891 book Across England in a Dog Cart uses a four-wheeled dog cart. Lt. Colonel James Hill takes his wife on a fishing trip across Spain in 1891 driving tandem using a dog-cart, in which he states he wouldn’t trade for any other kind of vehicle: “Now I may here say that there is no carriage, even with four wheels (unless it be an omnibus or London growler), which will take so much luggage as a dog-cart if you know how to pack it, and as we have driven many hundreds of miles across Tasmania, in Algeria, and other parts of the world, we are old travellers in this fashion and know what we want, and how to stow it.”
And of course there is the other kind of dog-cart seen making their way around the cities and farms up to the early part of the 20th century and that was the cart pulled by a dog. Rag pickers could be seen in New York City with a dog cart and the people of European countries relied on the dog cart to deliver milk.