Jemmy Elton Shaw (1815 – 1885), also known as Jimmy Shaw and James Shaw, was a 19th-century pioneer and fancier of the early

dog show A dog show is an animal show; it is an event where dogs are exhibited. A conformation show, also referred to as a '' breed show'', is a kind of dog show in which a judge, familiar with a specific dog breed, evaluates individual purebred dogs f ...

days, a promoter of dog fighting and

rat-baiting Rat-baiting is a blood sport that involves releasing captured rats in an enclosed space with spectators Gambling, betting on how long a dog, usually a terrier and sometimes referred to as a Ratter (dog), ratter, takes to kill the rats. Often, t ...

contests, a breeder of

Old English bulldog The Old English Bulldog is an extinct dog breed, breed of dog. Physical characteristics The Old English Bulldog was compact, broad and muscular, as reflected in the painting ''Crib and Rosa''. Through John Scott's engraving, this painting ...

s, bull terriers and

toy terrier Toy terriers are a group of Toy dog, toy breeds of dog. Breeds within this group include: *English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) *Japanese Terrier *Miniature Bull Terrier *Miniature Fox Terrier *Rat Terrier *Russkiy Toy, Russian Toy *Australian Silky ...

s and a contributor in the development of

fancy rat The fancy rat (''Rattus norvegicus domestica'') is the domesticated form of ''Rattus norvegicus'', the brown rat, and the most common species of rat kept as a pet. The name ''fancy rat'' derives from the use of the adjective ''fancy'' for a ho ...

Dogs

According to the '' Sporting Chronicle Annual'', Jem owned a black-and-tan

bull and terrier Bull and terrier was a common name for crossbreeds between Old English Bulldog, bulldogs and terriers in the early 1800s. Other names included half-and-halfs and half-breds. It was a time in history when, for thousands of years, dogs were clas ...

named " Jacko", the world record holder for rat killing. Rat-Catching at the Blue Anchor Tavern

Shaw owned Tiny the Wonder, an

English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) The English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) is a small breed of terrier in the toy dog group. Appearance According to the Kennel Club (UK), the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) should be in height and in weight. The only permitted color is black ...

, famous in the

City of London The City of London, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...

in the mid-19th century for being able to kill 200 rats in an hour in London's

pits.

Business

In the mid-1800s, Shaw was the landlord of the Blue Anchor Tavern, now the Artillery Arms, located at 102 Bunhill Row, St. Luke's,

London Borough of Islington The London Borough of Islington ( ) is a London borough, borough in North London, England. Forming part of Inner London, Islington has an estimated population of 215,667. It was formed in 1965, under the London Government Act 1963, by the amalg ...

. Shaw would hold rat-baiting contests in the tavern basement for spectators. Shaw was able to maintain as many as 2,000 rats in his establishment for upcoming contests.

Establishment of fancy rats

Between the 1840s and 1860s Jemmy Shaw and

Jack Black Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black (born August 28, 1969) is an American actor, comedian, and musician. He is known for roles in family and comedy films, in addition to his voice work in animated films. His awards include a Children's and Family Emmy ...

bred and sold many different colours of

s and their work aided in the establishment of them as pets.

Dogs

Business

Establishment of fancy rats

References

Further reading