An online search for comments and opinions declares that owning a dog in 1960 was very different than it is today. A quarter of the dogs at the time were random strays, owned or not. Ownership rules were much less well defined. Even though there were commercial dog foods available and a Milk Bone treat company, the dog food industry only appealed to a few dog owners. Conventional dogs survived on table scraps and pouring sauce on your dog’s food was a big trend!

Dog Trends of the 1960s

The ladies of the 1960s popularized smaller breed dogs that were easy to transport. A new trend in dog ownership began when owners began dressing small dogs in sweaters. The 1960s ushered in major societal changes in dog care, health, and even animal ethics.

Veterinarians were few. In the 1960s, the science of veterinary medicine was an established degree that required a few “short” years of college education, at a time when most people got by with a high school graduation or less. It was not a very popular profession and it took too long compared to many other job options available. There were few applicants and few graduates of the program. Pet sitting was provided on demand only. Very sick and injured dogs used to be euthanized as the system did not have the technology or resources to prolong life as we enjoy it today.

Successful graduates were mostly men and went to work in remote areas of the country on farms. Specialized in the treatment of diseases and illnesses in large animals – bovine and equine. Veterinarians of the 1960s were also trained in the treatment of poultry diseases, so their focus was really on promoting the viability of farm animals for sales and consumption by the human food industry.

Dog Ownership in 1990: Veterinary Medicine Expands to Accommodate Urban Families and Their Pets

The 1990s saw sweeping changes in veterinary science. First, a college degree is increasingly recognized as a standard education for the workforce. Well, it is not mandatory to get a job in many fields, applicants with degrees are generally considered to have more job opportunities and better salaries with more social benefits. The 1990s also see more female students entering medicine and science programs, including veterinary science. However, the majority of students and teachers are still men.

Veterinary clinics have been popping up across the country to care for household pets who get sick or have an accident or need hospice care. The medical approach is still largely based on treating the problem, disease, or illness. New ideas for disease prevention and health education are only beginning to cause another shift in veterinary focus. From on-demand vaccinations to spaying and neutering to population control, major themes show a broader shift in practice as veterinary medicine expands to meet the early needs of globalization.

Having a dog today, or any pet, really shows how our animals have become part of our family. Today, most vets suggest vet insurance, run expensive top-of-the-line technology to diagnose every condition you take your dog to the vet for. Many veterinarians are now women, with female enrollment higher than male at universities. Many teachers in the program are now women as well. Veterinary programs take several years to complete as they cover a wide range of animal diseases and health promotion practices for the care of domestic animals and livestock. Universities that now offer highly specialized degree programs. The shift towards health promotion and prevention continues and is in full swing! Veterinary medicine today is proactive! Vaccinations are recommended from puppyhood throughout your dog’s life to prevent disease. Spaying and neutering are routinely done, dogs are living longer, and veterinary medicine is prepared to care for them with medications, advice, and therapeutic healers that offer a variety of symptom control and promote longevity.

Owning a dog in 2020: how modern dogs live

We have a great advantage to live in this age of technology and indulgence. There are so many dog ​​food and treat options out there that are just as healthy and home-grown as our human-grade food. Aside from a lot of challenging but fun decisions is which brand to choose for your dog.

Mass globalization has even provided more adaptation options than ever before! Do you want a pet store puppy? A breeder’s high-end show dog? Adopt a dog from a shelter? Adopt an elderly dog ​​to improve the last stage of his life and provide palliation and love? Today, there are so many resources available to help you make the right decision.

Today, the pet supply industry is abuzz with trendy toys and supplies and tricks for your new puppy or adult dog. Senior dogs are being treated like never before, with advances in dog health and wellness and insurance coverage. Owning a dog has never presented medical and ethical challenges as complex as they are today.

Mass globalization has even provided more adaptation options than ever before! Do you want a pet store puppy? A breeder’s high-end show dog? Adopt a dog from a shelter? Adopt an elderly dog ​​to improve the last stage of his life and provide palliation and love? Today, there are so many resources available to help you make the right decision.

Today, the pet supply industry is abuzz with trendy toys and supplies and tricks for your new puppy or adult dog. And older dogs are being treated like never before, with advances in dog health and wellness and insurance coverage. Owning a dog has never presented medical and ethical challenges as complex as they are today.

Dogs have truly become part of our families. In some cases, they even experience separation and divorce from their human owners. Dogs are known to share time between each new human home on a regular basis after separation.

In some families it is the children. As more people choose to remain single, or be in relationships and not have children, or are unable to have children, owning a dog or dogs is becoming a more popular option. The dogs in these situations get all the love and the owners get emotional satisfaction too. Owning a dog is also cheaper than having human children. Since the average child costs $14,000 a year up to the age of 18. By comparison, owning a dog costs $1,000 a year per dog. Dog ownership has a shorter timeline. Instead of ownership for life, with dogs you get a shorter trip of lasting memories and may or may not continue at another time. Making dogs a more flexible and affordable investment at any time!

Looking to the future

In the last 80 years, the world has seen great advances in dog ownership, training, supplies, and medical care. There are 89.7 million dog owners in the US in 2017, driving market demand and defining trends in dog care. Even the way veterinarians are educated and run their practice has gone through radical transitions. Technology, innovation and best practice research are the driving force of the animal health system we have today. But even during all this time, the unconditional love of a dog has not changed.