Wag the Labradoodle: A Timeline of Pet Fads
From the March/April 2008 issue.
1907 The New York Times announces pigeons as the latest pet for fashionable women.
1935 An 8-foot alligator is found in an East Harlem sewer, helping launch an urban legend.
1936 Cocker spaniels are dubbed America's favorite breed; beagles unseat them in 1953.
1960 Fascination with all things French makes the poodle America's favorite dog. →
1960 Sea-Monkeys, a.k.a. brine shrimp, surface. ↓
Early 1980s Up to a million potbellied pigs become pets. A 1997 survey of slaughterhouses finds that many became dinner.
1983 Cocker spaniels regain the "most popular" title.
Late 1980s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hype leads to record numbers of pet turtles being released into the wild.
Early 1990s Rottweilers become status symbols for Russia's nouveaux riches.
1991 Labrador retrievers fetch the top dog spot; they're still there.
1995 Neuticles, fake testicles for neutered dogs, are introduced. Nearly a quarter million pairs sell.
Mid-1990s Hedgehog craze spikes in the U.S.; video-game character Sonic is blamed. →
1996 More than 40 million Tamagotchi, or digital handheld pets, are sold worldwide.
1999 New York mayor Rudy Giuliani bans pet ferrets, saying, "This excessive concern with little weasels is a sickness."
Early 2000s Sugar gliders, flying marsupials from Indonesia, start to take off in the U.S.
2003 Finding Nemo inspires kids to free their fish—in the toilet.
2003 Crazes for prairie dogs and Gambian giant pouched rats are cut short by a monkeypox outbreak and a federal ban on further sales.
2004 A bug-fighting video game feeds stag-beetle mania in Japan.
2006 The toyger, a house cat bred with a "designer toy tiger pattern," is recognized as an official breed.
2007 Rat retailers in France report a boost in sales following Pixar's Ratatouille.
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Neuticles are more than a "fad". They have encouraged neuter hesitant pet owners for over 13 years to neuter that simply would not neuter before. As a result, pet over population is being reduced and those "Neuticled" pets are living happier, healthier and longer lives.
It's sad,that people go out and bring these animals,into their homes;not because they genuinely love ferrats or hedgehogs.Nor because,they choose to rescue a mutt or an older dog,from the humane society;because upon meeting them they form a bond.But because,a particular toy breed is "cute",while certain breeds of large dogs;can be props for "macho" men.Or because it's the next big thing,to have a pot-bellied pig or a turtle for a pet.
It upsets me, to no end how these critters,are discarded once their no longer cute,little puppies or kittens.Or their upkeep, bcomes too much of a burden.
Companion animals,the family pet be it a hamster,goldfish or the puppy from the pound;aren't fads or accesories.They are lifetime commitments,who's care and well-being;that we the individual pet owner/parent,are responsible for;regardless of whether or not.Their fun for us to have,or cease to be cute and grow up to be large and somewhat annoying.
And these lazy,apathetic,egotistical,emotionally-inmature and irresponsible jerks(both male and female).Would better serve both mankind and the animal kingdom.By sticking with say,a robo-doggie or a blasted Chia pet!
Really??? I mean really??? Why would the Neuticles encourage neuter hesitant owners to neuter their dogs. Aesthetics? The dog is still being neutered, so people are spending money to make it look like their pets aren't being neutered? Am I getting this right? I have a male dog, and I don't think he even realizes that his testicles are missing.
Who cares if a dog has been neutered? Meuticles? For God's sake, just when I think I've heard or seen it all...
Pardon the typo, Neuticles...
I like it better with the typo - Meuticles - fake testicles for cats. Sorry, this is just too funny.
Rottweilers was a bad fad.
Rottweilers was a bad fad. they hurt alot of people
