I grew up with a stuffed basset hound toy that I got at my local shoe store in Rockford, Michigan. His name was Jason and he and his floppy ears accompanied me most places. Jason was not just any stuffed dog, Jason was famous! He was the mascot of the Hush Puppies shoe brand, headquartered in my hometown. Described as “a cultural icon that embodies the lighthearted spirit of its beloved basset hound,” the brand has been entrenched so deeply into my childhood that whenever I see an actual basset hound on the street, I think “hush puppies.”

 

This is not the only brand to play on the public's love of adorable puppies and dogs in their advertisements. The most famous, and arguably the “first” dog in advertising, was Nipper the RCA dog. The image of the cute terrier-mix sitting next to a gramophone was trademarked in 1929 by the Radio Corporation of America. The campaign even got a refresh in 1990 with the addition of Chipper, a young pup to accompany Nipper. The rhyming was just an added bonus for consumers...you're welcome. 

 

Another brand that conjures images of dogs and puppies is Budweiser. Even before their newly minted golden retriever puppy and Clydesdale's prancing into our hearts, Spuds MacKenzie dominated Bud Light ads in the late 80’s. In honor of today's National Puppy Day, here’s a look back at some of the most famous furry friends in advertising.

The UK paper products company was faced with a problem during the early seventies while trying to release a new campaign. Television regulators blocked a television commercial concept featuring a little girl running through the house trailing a roll of toilet paper because it would “encourage wastefulness.” They solved the problem by replacing the little girl with a yellow labrador puppy in 1972, and the rest is history.

 

2. Gidget, Taco Bell