June morning, Boomer and I joined the All the President’s Pups tour of Mount
Vernon, the home of George Washington.
While Mount Vernon is dog-friendly – dogs are welcome everywhere BUT the
mansion, we took a special walking tour that’s a great combination of history
and canine trivia.
Gate – with the mansion in the distance behind us, we embarked on a 1.25 mile
walk along the original carriage route.
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| Hydrating pre-walk |
lover – especially dogs. Records show that Washington had numerous dogs representing every “classification” – hunting, herding, guard, coach, house, etc – each with a very specific job.
Our first stop on the tour was a visit to Mount Vernon’s sheep – a flock of rare
Hog Island sheep charged the fence, excited to see the dogs. http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/farming/the-animals-of-mount-vernon/
Maria explained that the sheep were actually fond of people and attention, our half a dozen canines fit the bill. The dogs didn’t quite know what to do about the sheep – but appeared to be equally interested.
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| Devi Meets the Sheep of Mount Vernon |
Along the route Maria told us that Washington was so fond of his granddaughter Nelly and her “house” dog (probably a Caviler King Charles Spaniel) that he bought a special decorative collar for the dog at the cost of $1 – a significant amount in the 1700s. Washington loved his dogs and he was creative in their naming – including, Drunkard, Mopsey, Taster, Cloe, Tipsy, Tipler, Forester, Captain, Lady Rover, Vulcan, Sweetlips, and Searcher.
Hunting was THE sport in Washington’s time. He had plenty of hounds to assist in the hunt. A man of incredible intellect, interests and curiosity, Washington eventually set out to breed the quintessential hunting dog — “a superior dog, one that had speed, sense and brains.” In the mid-1780s, Washington’s friend, the Marquis de Lafayette, sent him seven huge hounds from France. Washington bred these French hounds with the standard black and tan hunting dogs and created what Washington called the Virginia hound, which we know today as the American Fox Hound. So, not only is he the father of our country – Washington is the father of the American Fox Hound!
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| Following the original carriage route on our 1.25 mile walk |
There were plenty of water bowls set out for dogs, but were we glad we brought our own – there is no water provided during the walk.
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| Beckett tired out from her tour |
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| A great photo opportunity! |
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| With the exception of the mansion, dogs are welcome throughout Mt Vernon |
