Saint Rock (Rochus / Roche / Roque) got ill in Rome, what kind of dog brought him bread?

Question

What could be the breed of this dog predominant in Rome at the time of St. Rock's lifetime (1295 - 1328)?

Answer 1

The only histories I've seen specify only a "small" dog
Well the Icons seem to often picture the artists dog so they vary - sometimes a small spaniel type, or herding type but many show a small sighthoud about the size of a whippet. Now it couldn't have been a whippet, the breed is only 150 yrs old - besides the idea of whippet giving away food is mindboggling (Ok so it was a divine miracle). The greyhound was once smaller (size of a large moden whippet) and the Italian greyhound was larger (size of a small one) so could be either, but given that this WAS Rome and the Iggy is documented back to Pompi - I'll go with Italian greyhound.

But my St Roch medal still has a whippet on it ;-)
Especally when I wear it showing my cronic health problem whippet in obedience. Unfortunaly I can't say having the patron st of both dog trainers & cronic invalids along helped the scores any (sigh)