From Utility to Companionship: The Origins of Pet Keeping

Throughout human history, animals like cats and dogs were initially valued for their practical roles rather than companionship. In rural societies, cats served as mousers, while dogs functioned as guards and hunting assistants. This utilitarian relationship was universal—medieval European philosophers like Albertus Magnus warned against pampering guard dogs, fearing it would diminish their vigilance. Similarly, Song Dynasty scholars praised cats for protecting books from rodents, much like European monks valued them for safeguarding church sacraments.

The shift from functional to affectionate pet ownership emerged with economic prosperity. In China, this transition became visible during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), when small “Fulin dogs”—exotic gifts from the Byzantine Empire—became luxury accessories for aristocratic women, as depicted in Zhou Fang’s Court Ladies Wearing Floral Hairpins. These six-inch-tall, intelligent canines symbolized status, heralding a new era where animals were cherished beyond their utility.

The Golden Age of Pets in Song Dynasty China

By the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), pet culture flourished among urban elites and commoners alike. Kaifeng and Hangzhou boasted specialized pet markets offering food, accessories, and even grooming services. Historical records like Dream Pool Essays detail vendors selling “cat nests, fish for cats, and services to modify cats and dogs”—likely early forms of pet styling.

### Dogs as Companions
Song texts reveal nuanced relationships with dogs. The History of Song mentions a household with 100 dogs that refused to eat until all were present—a testament to emotional bonds. Poet Lu You wrote of “silver-pawed” dogs with personalized names, while paintings like Puppies in Autumn Garden (Shanghai Museum) showcase small, fluffy breeds resembling modern pets.

### The Cat Craze
Cats, particularly the long-haired “lion cats,” became coveted status symbols. An anecdote from Records of the Listener describes a fraudster dyeing a cat red to scam buyers, reflecting high demand for rare breeds. Meanwhile, households “hired” cats through ceremonial exchanges—offering salt or fish as “bride prices,” a tradition surviving into 20th-century rural China.

Cultural Reflections: Pets in Art and Literature

Song artists immortalized pets in works blending realism and charm:
– Li Di’s Hunting Dog (Palace Museum): A muscular hound with an ornate collar, blurring lines between working dog and pet.
– Anonymous Tiger-Striped Cat (Osaka Museum): A “flower狸” (huā lí) once rare but now commonplace, per contemporary texts.
– Su Hanchen’s Children Playing in Winter (Taipei Palace Museum): A kitten frolicking with children, epitomizing feline roles as playmates rather than mousers.

Poets like Huang Tingjian penned verses about “inviting a cat with willow-wrapped fish,” while Lu You addressed poems to his cats “Snowball” and “Little Tiger,” revealing deep emotional ties.

Legacy: Echoes of Song Pet Culture in Modern Times

The Song Dynasty’s pet practices mirror today’s trends:
– Commercialization: Markets sold specialized pet foods (e.g., fish for cats, sweet bran for dogs), akin to modern pet stores.
– Anthropomorphism: Naming pets and mourning their loss (e.g., lost dog posters) reflected viewing animals as family.
– Aestheticization: Grooming and breeding for appearance (e.g., lion cats) foreshadowed pedigree cultures.

This historical lens reveals how urbanization and wealth transformed human-animal relationships—a narrative repeating globally. As contemporary owners pamper reptiles and insects, we witness another evolution, yet the Song Dynasty’s “modern” pet love remains a poignant reminder of our enduring desire for companionship across species.

Note: All referenced artworks are held in major museums, underscoring their cultural significance.