E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Iceland Dogs.
Shaggy white dogs, once great favourites with ladies. Shakespeare mentions them (Henry V., ii. 1).
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“Use and custome bath intatained … Iceland dogges curled and rough all over, which, by reason of the length of their heire make showe neither of face nor of body.”—Fleming: Of English Dogges (1576).
