1900–1950: the rise of pedigree animals
In the 20th century the world of pets changed completely. Social, technical and cultural upheavals linked to
urbanisation, advances in medicine and science and the rise of mass culture had a strong effect on how people treated animals. Over the century pets became a natural part of people's lives, and this was when breed standards, new technology
and large-scale animal welfare programmes appeared.
In the 20th century pedigree animals, as well as projects for animal care, welfare and protection, became everyone's concern.
urbanisation, advances in medicine and science and the rise of mass culture had a strong effect on how people treated animals. Over the century pets became a natural part of people's lives, and this was when breed standards, new technology
and large-scale animal welfare programmes appeared.
In the 20th century pedigree animals, as well as projects for animal care, welfare and protection, became everyone's concern.
1900–1950: the rise of pedigree animals
(20th century, part 1)
In the 20th century the world of pets changed completely. Social, technical
and cultural upheavals
linked to urbanisation, advances in medicine and science and
the rise of mass culture had a strong effect on
how people treated animals. Over the century pets became a natural part of people's lives,
and this was when breed standards, new technology and large-scale animal welfare programmes appeared. In the 20th century pedigree animals
as well as projects for
animal care, welfare and protection became everyone's concern.
and cultural upheavals
linked to urbanisation, advances in medicine and science and
the rise of mass culture had a strong effect on
how people treated animals. Over the century pets became a natural part of people's lives,
and this was when breed standards, new technology and large-scale animal welfare programmes appeared. In the 20th century pedigree animals
as well as projects for
animal care, welfare and protection became everyone's concern.
1900–1950
period
1980–2000
1950–1980
1900–1950
period
1950–1980
1980–2000
In the first fifty years of the 20th century interest in pedigree animals grew strongly. Organised dog and cat breeding and new breed standards made pets common, especially among the middle
and upper classes. In this period pets became firmly established
as symbols of status and social standing.
and upper classes. In this period pets became firmly established
as symbols of status and social standing.
The rise of pedigree animals
The rise of
pedigree animals
pedigree animals
In the first fifty years of the 20th century interest in pedigree animals grew strongly. Organised dog and cat breeding
and new breed standards made pets common, especially among the middle and upper classes. In this period pets became firmly established as symbols of status
and social standing.
and new breed standards made pets common, especially among the middle and upper classes. In this period pets became firmly established as symbols of status
and social standing.
In the early 20th century kennel clubs and cat associations grew quickly,
and they played an important role in standardising breeds
and regulating breeding. In 1911 the international kennel federation, the FCI, was founded (and refounded in 1921); it became the world's largest
federation of kennel clubs. In Britain, The Kennel Club had already been founded in 1873, and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) followed in 1910.
and they played an important role in standardising breeds
and regulating breeding. In 1911 the international kennel federation, the FCI, was founded (and refounded in 1921); it became the world's largest
federation of kennel clubs. In Britain, The Kennel Club had already been founded in 1873, and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) followed in 1910.
The role of kennel clubs
and cat associations
and cat associations
1
At the same time national organisations appeared that held shows, kept stud books and confirmed breed standards
and breed characteristics.
and breed characteristics.
The role of kennel clubs
and cat associations
and cat associations
1
In the early 20th century
kennel clubs and cat
associations grew quickly,
and they played an important role
in standardising breeds and regulating breeding. In 1911 the international
kennel federation, the FCI, was founded (and refounded in 1921),
federation of kennel clubs. In Britain, The Kennel Club had already been founded in 1873, and the
Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) followed in 1910.
kennel clubs and cat
associations grew quickly,
and they played an important role
in standardising breeds and regulating breeding. In 1911 the international
kennel federation, the FCI, was founded (and refounded in 1921),
federation of kennel clubs. In Britain, The Kennel Club had already been founded in 1873, and the
Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) followed in 1910.
At the same time national
organisations appeared that held shows, kept stud books and confirmed breed standards
and breed characteristics.
organisations appeared that held shows, kept stud books and confirmed breed standards
and breed characteristics.
The role of kennel clubs and cat associations
1
The first
kennel club
AKC
in the USA
cat show
modern
was held in 1871 at the Crystal Palace in London, and it made cats more popular as pets.
was held in 1871 at the
Crystal Palace in London, and it made cats more popular as pets.
Crystal Palace in London, and it made cats more popular as pets.
was founded in 1884, and similar clubs appeared in other countries. The clubs oversaw the purity of breeds
and breeding practices, such as inbreeding (mating close relatives).
and breeding practices, such as inbreeding (mating close relatives).
The first modern cat show
The AKC kennel club in the USA
Organised large-scale breeding
2
In the first decades of the 20th century larger breeding programmes appeared. Their aim was to improve breeds, increase numbers and make pedigree animals available to more people.
Organised large-scale
breeding
breeding
2
In the first decades of the 20th century larger breeding programmes appeared. Their aim was to improve breeds, increase numbers and
make pedigree animals
available to more people.
make pedigree animals
available to more people.
Clubs, kennels and private breeders took part: new breeds were developed and old ones refined. Pedigree dogs and cats became a sign of prosperity and part of the modern home.
Breeding programmes drew up clear standards for each breed.
Breed standards:
Breeding programmes drew up clear standards for
each breed.
each breed.
Kennels and catteries became the backbone of the field. Many breeders also began to train animals.
Breed standards:
Breeders:
In the early 20th century pedigree animals came within
reach of the middle class and so became common as pets. Pedigree dogs and cats became a symbol of successful families.
reach of the middle class and so became common as pets. Pedigree dogs and cats became a symbol of successful families.
Pedigree animals for more people:
In the early 20th century pedigree animals came within reach of the middle class and so became common as pets. Pedigree dogs and cats became a symbol of successful families.
Pedigree animals for more people:
1900–1950
1980–2000
1950–1980
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20th century
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1950–1980
1980–2000
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