Scurvy Dog...
Lessee, British sailors suffered from Vitamin C deficiency early in their naval career, before they knew about such things, and it was called "scurvy". The sailors suffered from other medical, nutritional, and psychological maladies, but that is well documented, and probably not in good taste to discuss such things here.
I'm guessing that it was a British Fox Terrier, as they will chew the head off an anvil, left to their own devices.
If not a Terrier, there are other breeds of malcontents whom fit the bill, as well.
Charles