1950–1980:
pets for everyone
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.
1950–1980: pets for everyone
(20th century, part 2)
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.
1950–1980
period
1900–1950
1980–2000
1950–1980
period
1900–1950
1980–2000
New breed standards
and pets for everyone
and pets for everyone
In this period interest in dogs
and cats as pets grew strongly as living standards rose, towns grew and society's attitude to animals changed.
and cats as pets grew strongly as living standards rose, towns grew and society's attitude to animals changed.
1
New breed standards
and pets for everyone
and pets for everyone
In this period interest
in dogs and cats
as pets grew strongly
as living standards rose, towns
grew and society's attitude to animals changed.
in dogs and cats
as pets grew strongly
as living standards rose, towns
grew and society's attitude to animals changed.
At the same time new breed standards appeared, intended to improve animals' lives and make them a natural part
of modern society.
of modern society.
At the same time new breed standards appeared, intended to improve animals' lives and make them a natural part of modern society.
Read more
Read more
Read more
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Samoyed
Russian Blue
Black Russian Terrier
Donskoy
Between 1950 and 1980 pet breeds were organised and standardised.
The new breed standards described the appearance, character
and physical features of breeds more precisely.
and physical features of breeds more precisely.
The leading dog organisations (FCI)
and cat organisations (FIFe, CFA, TICA) developed new judging criteria
for pedigree dogs and cats. In the UK, most pedigree cats are registered with the GCCF.
and cat organisations (FIFe, CFA, TICA) developed new judging criteria
for pedigree dogs and cats. In the UK, most pedigree cats are registered with the GCCF.
Breeds became
more uniform, and breeders aimed
to produce ideal animals
according to the breed standards.
more uniform, and breeders aimed
to produce ideal animals
according to the breed standards.
New
breed standards
breed standards
1
The FCI recognised many dog breeds, and national kennel clubs, including The Kennel Club in Britain, confirmed the standards of their own breeds.
Cat organisations also confirmed new breed standards for cats, and in 1966
the first Sphynx was born in Canada (the CFA did not accept the breed until 2002).
the first Sphynx was born in Canada (the CFA did not accept the breed until 2002).
New breeds:
Cat breeding:
Cat organisations also confirmed new breed standards for cats, and in 1966 the first Sphynx was born in Canada (the CFA did not accept the breed until 2002).
Breeders began to train in breeding, which
improved the quality of animals and breed standards.
improved the quality of animals and breed standards.
Cat breeding:
A professional field:
The FCI recognised many dog breeds, and national kennel clubs, including The Kennel Club in Britain, confirmed the standards of their own breeds.
New breeds:
Breeders began to train in breeding, which improved the quality of animals and breed standards.
A professional field:
As towns grew and more people lived in flats, pets became invaluable companions that improved their owners' lives.
Pets become widespread
2
After the war, animals, especially dogs
and cats, became ever more popular, not only as working animals but also as
members of the family.
and cats, became ever more popular, not only as working animals but also as
members of the family.
Pets become widespread
2
After the war, animals, especially dogs and cats, became ever more popular, not only as working animals but also as members of the family.
As towns grew
and more people lived
in flats, pets became
invaluable companions that improved their owners'
lives.
and more people lived
in flats, pets became
invaluable companions that improved their owners'
lives.
Large animal shows were now held, and new services appeared, such as grooming and special foods.
Large animal shows were now held, and new services appeared, such
as grooming and special foods.
as grooming and special foods.
Large animal shows were now held, and new services appeared, such as grooming and special foods.
Shows attracted big audiences, and their number grew all over the world.
Shows and competitions:
Pets began to get grooming and ready-made food. Commercial dry food for dogs and cats became common in the 1950s and 60s, although Spratt's dog biscuits had been sold in London since the 1860s.
Grooming and special foods:
Pets were no longer seen just as animals but as members of the family and helpers
in therapy (animals for people who need special support).
in therapy (animals for people who need special support).
Their role in society:
Pets were no longer seen
just as animals,
but as members of the family and helpers in therapy (animals for people who need special support).
just as animals,
but as members of the family and helpers in therapy (animals for people who need special support).
Their role in society:
Shows and competitions:
Shows attracted big audiences, and their number
grew all over the world.
grew all over the world.
Pets began to get grooming and ready-made
food. Commercial dry food for dogs and cats became common in the 1950s and 60s, although Spratt's dog biscuits had been sold in London since the 1860s.
food. Commercial dry food for dogs and cats became common in the 1950s and 60s, although Spratt's dog biscuits had been sold in London since the 1860s.
Grooming and special foods:
1900–1950
1980–2000
Next chapter
1950–1980
20th century
Next chapter
1900–1950
1980–2000
Tools
History of pets: all chapters
- History of pets: contents
- Prehistoric times
- The Neolithic
- Antiquity
- The early Middle Ages
- The late Middle Ages
- The Renaissance: aristocratic breeds
- The Renaissance: horse breeding
- The Renaissance: science and classification
- The 19th century
- 1900–1950: the rise of pedigree animals
- 1980–2000: modern veterinary medicine