The Turnspit dog was a short-legged, long-bodied dog bred to run on a wheel, called a turnspit or dog wheel, to turn meat.
The breed is now extinct.
Shaking my head with sadness learning this.
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No need for them now - use a child.
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or the wife
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@Bruce … @macywack … shame on you two 
The closest surviving relative , now they’re extinct, is apparently the Welsh corgi.
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No, never heard about this breed. Except just now, and probably never will again. 
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I remember reading about them in an old historical novel and was actually quite appalled at the time … I didn’t believe it at first.
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Wonder if we could use animals on treadmills to turn turbines and generate electricity.
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I’ll do a stint if it’ll help me lose weight and tone up my bod.
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Between us, we could keep Milton Keynes lit for a week. 
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When the time comes, some things go into the “Not Worth It” column in deciding whether our species is salvageable - or not 
,
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You could, I suppose - but it would be hugely inefficient…compared to Drax for example…)
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I’m in. 
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This Spits “Not for Turning”
Even though the place has gone to the Dogs 
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You were a professional in your field and I naturally bow to your knowledge, experience and wisdom.
I recall an oxbridge exam question in which the solution was to use the hay to feed a horse which was then the most efficient way to convert it to useful energy. I don’t know what Drax’s methods are
(Google is of limited value), but are they more efficient than the digestive system of a creature?
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Hi Dex. Interesting question and I don’t what the answer is. We lived on a farm where we had sheep and cattle. The sheep were sheared for the fleece, The the cattle went to slaughter for beef That work for you?
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Hi Bes. I think that’ll suffice for the time being 
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What about a dog , perhaps a Patterdale terrier , Jack Russel terrier or mini English Bull terrier ?
You walk him / her long walks daily and post pics of the dog for me to enjoy , lol
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Wow never heard of it , I enjoy keeping up on animal world even extinct breeds but must say never heard of this breed .
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Humans powered the treadmills that lifted heavy materials when building Cathedrals. And I belive those who operated the Cathedral treadmills were often blind too. Partly due to the height these mills operated at & partly because, it was a job that blind people could do, in that era. And until the advent of tractors & stationary engines, farms used horse driven power source.
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Sorry @Geli thst I’ve only just noticed your reply. Very interesting indeed, especially how the infirm were able to contribute even though they would never actually see the fruit of their labours.
As an aside, I recall that someone (a member of the clergy) was being shown around the site of a cathedral under construction a few centuries ago and said something along the lines that although others could see the splendour and glory of it all, all he could see was the blood, sweat and hardship of those who were building it.
I’ve tried to locate who it was and the precise quote. If you (or anyone else) can find it, I’d be very grateful.
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