Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a dog fancier; one who supports dog fights.

1821		Egan Life in London (1869) 260: The Plate is a correct representation of the animation displayed upon this subject by the gay tyke-boys.
1825		‘All England Are Slanging It’ Universal Songster I 40/1: The tyke-boys are all up in stirrups at the news.
1835		G. Kent Modern Flash Dict. 34: Tyke boys – dog owners.
1848		Flash Dict. in Sinks of London Laid Open [as cit. 1835].
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.