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pufballcat t1_j7776ub wrote

Why are we assuming that these animals are pets? Pigs sound like food, and horses can't really be pets. Dogs could of course be pets, but they could’ve been working animals.

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StekenDeluxe t1_j7flv7o wrote

Good point.

I'll add, however, that a Norwegian law book dating from the 12th century demands a higher fine for killing a "lap dog" than for killing a "hunting dog." This could, perhaps, be seen as a possible indication that at least not long after the end of the Viking Era itself, old-timey Scandinavians put a premium on "unemployed" dogs, i.e. pets.

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