The other day I came across a group of mid-century cat drawings. These stylized cats were a staple of mid-century design popping up in jewelry, cocktail glasses, lamps, eyeglass frames and countless other places.
My delight in the cats led me to wonder why dogs did not achieve the same popularity as mid-century icons. (I do try to be fair and include dogs in my worldview.) And then the lightbulb went on in my head.
Dogs were hugely popular in the 50’s era art, however, it was only one particular breed that achieved stardom. Care to guess which breed?
The answer, of course, is poodles. How could I have momentarily forgotten my wonderful, circular, turquoise blue felt skirt with the strutting poodle dog?
I don’t think it is a coincidence that mid-century cats were generic cats and that dogs were represented by one breed. Only 42 breeds of cats exist, and they are all similarly shaped…minor variations on a theme. According to the American Kennel Club, there are 190 different dog breeds. The World Canine Organization recognizes 340 types.
Dogs differ dramatically in design from mastiffs to chihuahuas. Plus, they have been domesticated twice as long as cats, thus giving people much more time to breed them for human needs. Cats did not need to be messed with to be useful: they all catch mice, and they refuse to do anything else we might find helpful.
Here are a few pictures I’ve put together of 50’s cat and dog art. These “dog days” of August seemed like a good time to do this. As far as I know, no “cat days” are set aside in any month. I can only conclude the reason for this is that cats know every day is a cat day.
P.S. One other 1950’s dog achieved great fame. Click here to view.
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