22 Photos Of What Life Looked Like For Dogs In The 1970s

Carly Tennes Published 02/12/2025 in wow

Though they've always been man's best friend, owning a dog back in the 1970s wasn't that different from today. Enter the beach-roaming, spot-sporting pups that served as faithful pals to our parents and grandparents.

From park days to road trips, here are 22 photos of what life looked like for dogs in the 1970s.

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1. Bottoms Up
“My godfather and me, in blue. 1970s.”

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
2. Some Pig
“My mom and her fat dog that people mistook for a pig circa 1970.”

Courtesy of threefrow on Reddit
3. See Spot Drive
“A woman and a dog spotted in Los Angeles, 1970.”

Courtesy of morganmonroe81 on Reddit
4. Not a Cat Nap
“Me, my grandpa, and the dog settling in for a nap [California, 1974].”

Courtesy of Yoojay on Reddit
5. Best in Show
“My mom and her show dog, Blue. Colorado Springs Kennel Club. June 11, 1978.”

Courtesy of hankaht on Reddit
6. Go, Dog. Go!
“My dog carrying my mother's purse from the corner store - 1970.”

Courtesy of joelincoln on Reddit
7. Biker Gang
”My Grandpa Ernest in the 70’s, with bike and dog.”

Courtesy of mah-jam on REdit
8. Sweet Sativa
“My dad and some of his 101st Airborne buddies. 1970 Viet Nam. With their dog Sativa.”

Courtesy of JessRoyall on Reddit
9. Dapper Dog
“My grandpa and his dog (Hong Kong, c. 1970).”

Courtesy of macabea on Reddit
10. Like Mother Like Dog-gter
“My mother and her childhood dog, in the summer of 1970.”

Courtesy of AmourAndLoathing on Reddit
11. Doggie Jammies
“My aunt in 1970. And a dog in pajamas, apparently.”

Courtesy of KillerQ97 on Reddit
12. Lost Keys, Found Dog
“My uncle, trying to find his car keys (1970s).”

Courtesy of blonderengel on Reddit
13. Silky Snuggles
“My dad and his dog Silky, 1970.”

Courtesy pof nug-pups on Reddit
14. Beach Baby
“Here is Ike who has found another stick. Living at the beach meant that a leather collar would not last long. He didn't need a leash. He was so friendly he would walk up to any dog to say hello. 1970s.”

Courtesy of YZXFILE on Reddit
15. Porch Days
“My Dad sitting on the porch with his dog, 1970s.”

Courtesy of jefusan on Reddit
16. Dog Days
“My sister, our family car, our family dog - Summer 1970.”

Courtesy of Wahoocity on Reddit
17. Pup Portraits
“My Uncle, his Wife and dogs sometime in the ‘70s.”

Courtesy of whiskeybusiness91 on Reddit
18. He’s A Star
“Me with my dog, Star in 1977.”

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
19. Take A Walk
“Camberley Kate, 1970. Ran a 1 woman dog rescue service. She’s 70 here.”

Courtesy of Stonedefone on Reddit
20. Dad and Dog
“My dad and his dog Simba in the late 1970s.”

Courtesy of thatswhattaysaid on Reddit
21. Dad’s Best Friend
“My Dad and our Dog Bailey, 1970's, Dad would be 81 Today.”

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
22. You’re A Good Dog, Charlie Brown
“My Grandfather, Col. Alexander at his accidentally Wes Anderson retirement in 1970. (L:R--Charlie Brown the dog, Grandma Buzzy, Uncle Patrick, my Dad and Mom).”

Courtesy of ironicrunner on Reddit

1. Bottoms Up
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“My godfather and me, in blue. 1970s.”
2. Some Pig
Courtesy of threefrow on Reddit

“My mom and her fat dog that people mistook for a pig circa 1970.”
3. See Spot Drive
Courtesy of morganmonroe81 on Reddit

“A woman and a dog spotted in Los Angeles, 1970.”
4. Not a Cat Nap
Courtesy of Yoojay on Reddit

“Me, my grandpa, and the dog settling in for a nap [California, 1974].”
5. Best in Show
Courtesy of hankaht on Reddit

“My mom and her show dog, Blue. Colorado Springs Kennel Club. June 11, 1978.”
6. Go, Dog. Go!
Courtesy of joelincoln on Reddit

“My dog carrying my mother's purse from the corner store - 1970.”
7. Biker Gang
Courtesy of mah-jam on REdit

”My Grandpa Ernest in the 70’s, with bike and dog.”
8. Sweet Sativa
Courtesy of JessRoyall on Reddit

“My dad and some of his 101st Airborne buddies. 1970 Viet Nam. With their dog Sativa.”
9. Dapper Dog
Courtesy of macabea on Reddit

“My grandpa and his dog (Hong Kong, c. 1970).”
10. Like Mother Like Dog-gter
Courtesy of AmourAndLoathing on Reddit

“My mother and her childhood dog, in the summer of 1970.”
11. Doggie Jammies
Courtesy of KillerQ97 on Reddit

“My aunt in 1970. And a dog in pajamas, apparently.”
12. Lost Keys, Found Dog
Courtesy of blonderengel on Reddit

“My uncle, trying to find his car keys (1970s).”
13. Silky Snuggles
Courtesy pof nug-pups on Reddit

“My dad and his dog Silky, 1970.”
14. Beach Baby
Courtesy of YZXFILE on Reddit

“Here is Ike who has found another stick. Living at the beach meant that a leather collar would not last long. He didn't need a leash. He was so friendly he would walk up to any dog to say hello. 1970s.”
15. Porch Days
Courtesy of jefusan on Reddit

“My Dad sitting on the porch with his dog, 1970s.”
16. Dog Days
Courtesy of Wahoocity on Reddit

“My sister, our family car, our family dog - Summer 1970.”
17. Pup Portraits
Courtesy of whiskeybusiness91 on Reddit

“My Uncle, his Wife and dogs sometime in the ‘70s.”
18. He’s A Star
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“Me with my dog, Star in 1977.”
19. Take A Walk
Courtesy of Stonedefone on Reddit

“Camberley Kate, 1970. Ran a 1 woman dog rescue service. She’s 70 here.”
20. Dad and Dog
Courtesy of thatswhattaysaid on Reddit

“My dad and his dog Simba in the late 1970s.”
21. Dad’s Best Friend
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“My Dad and our Dog Bailey, 1970's, Dad would be 81 Today.”
22. You’re A Good Dog, Charlie Brown
Courtesy of ironicrunner on Reddit

“My Grandfather, Col. Alexander at his accidentally Wes Anderson retirement in 1970. (L:R--Charlie Brown the dog, Grandma Buzzy, Uncle Patrick, my Dad and Mom).”