What did the Victorian Londoners get upto on Sunday mornings?
You might have assumed the name Dog & Duck referred to the activity of using dogs as retrievers. However, it is more probable that the pub was named after the 'sport' of duck baiting.
Ducks were prepared by having their wings pinioned, so they could not fly & then dogs would be set upon the ducks, which would dive under water to escape the dog's jaws. Money was wagered on the outcome. Special ponds were built near pubs & 100s would attend on Sunday mornings. The practice was particularly popular around London but ended in the late 1800s, not because of its cruelty to animals but because of the fights & riots that would often attend the events.
This was a working class activity & so was easily outlawed by a parliament full of the upper classes, who carried out their blood sports on horse back, & in a very gentlemanly manner.
Duck baiting is now illegal, as is fox hunting.
