Opinions Please?

[Alison]

The original Trencher was half of a pretty flat round loaf, cut through horizontally. If you didn't fancy the bread once you'd finished the stew, you could throw it to the dogs, who would be delighted!

I don't have a dog, will they come free with the Trencher or will I have to collect vouchers?

[veggiechicken]

The Trencher was rather like a Frisbee - throw it away and it returns to you - sometimes with a Dog attached. These dogs are an ancient breed known as Trencher Terriers and were specially bred for their ability to retrieve discarded trenchers and to return them to the table or board as it was then known. If you had a large appetite you would train your Trencher Terrier to retrieve the trenchers of those with smaller appetites. A badly trained Trencher terrier would leap upon the table or board and collect several trenchers from under the very dagger of a diner, leading to frequent accidents and mutilations. This was known as "entrenched" behaviour and was very hard to control. With the introduction of pewter and wooden platters, the breed was at risk of dying out. However, there are still a few enthusiastic supporters of the breed known as Trenchermen. The breed has not been recognised by the Kennel Club or shown at Crufts, not even in the restaurant.