The Turnspit
This dog was once a valuable auxiliary in the kitchen, by turning the spit before jacks were invented. It had a peculiar length of body, with short crooked legs, the tail curled, its ears long and pendent, and the head large in proportion to the body. It is still used in the kitchen on various parts of the Continent. There are some curious stories of the artfulness with which he often attempted to avoid the task imposed upon him.
There is a variety of this dog; the crooked-legged turnspit.
Historical and Descriptive Sketches of British America
, by J. Macgregor