Lamb Chop Has Been Around Since the '50s, but Is a Viral Pet Toy Today. Here’s Why Dogs Love "Lambie."
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Almost every dog lover I know owns a Lamb Chop toy for their pet, and in many cases, they have multiples. But this character hasn't been on TV since the mid-90s, so it's surprising that it's still so popular today. Especially since many pet owners may not even know where the iconic character originated.
Lamb Chop is the brainchild of puppeteer and ventriloquist Shari Lewis. Her simple hand puppet was so charming in the late-1950s in appearances on shows like Captain Kangaroo, that she earned her own self-titled TV series, and steadily remained popular until her death in 1998. Millennial dog parents might remember Shari Lewis from her early-90s PBS series Lamb Chop's Play-Along. But somehow, nearly 30 years after Lewis and Lamb Chop were on television regularly, the legacy continues, and is growing.
Lamb Chop's transformation from puppet to pet toy
The beloved children's character was turned into a plush dog toy by a company called Multipet International a decade ago. Today, they sell millions of the toys annually.
"It’s a character tied to feelings of warmth, joy, and nostalgia—qualities that pet parents love sharing with their furry friends," says Leslie Yellin, a senior executive who's been with Multipet International for 22 years. "We knew that Lamb Chop’s irresistible charm and cuddly design would translate beautifully into a toy that pets would adore. After all, who can resist those floppy ears and sweet face?"
How 70-year-old "Lambie" went viral
"The Lamb Chop Dog Toy is our number one most popular dog toy," says President of Retail at Chewy, Allen Hughes. "Thousands of customers have the Lamb Chop toy on Autoship, with many buying more than five Lamb Chop toys each year."
Hughes agreed that the internet virality of Lamb Chop toys has grown over the past year alone, citing a 42 percent uptick in social media mentions. This inspired Chewy to collaborate with musician Puppy Songs to create a viral TikTok song that encourages users to show off their pups' collections of Lambies. (Fair warning, you will have this song stuck in your head all day if you watch this video. It's almost as infectious as Lamb Chop and Shari Lewis's hit "The Song That Doesn't End".)
Lamb Chop is a comfort toy for dogs
"Lamb Chop toys are one of PetSmart’s top selling plush toys—pet parents and pets love them," says Vice President of Merchandising at PetSmart, Taylor Chamberlin, echoing Hughes. While these beloved plushies are charming and cuddly, what makes it a necessity among dog parents, especially now?
Chamberlin attributes part of the rise to the wide variety and seasonal offerings. "That collectability factor is part of what makes them so popular. They come in so many different sizes and have different themes, so there’s a Lamb Chop that every dog can love. Playful pups love the squeaker, while cuddly dogs enjoy its soft, comforting feel."
"Just like children find comfort in a security blanket, dogs form that same attachment to Lamb Chop–carrying it everywhere, cuddling it for comfort, or squeaking it when it’s time for fun," adds Hughes.
When asking my coworkers if their dogs had a Lambie, they all quickly sent photos. Most of them mentioned that their pets had multiple versions of the toy, or had been through several replacements because they had been overloved.
What's next for Lamb Chop?
If you've already got a vast collection of Lamb Chop toys for your pup, don't worry, there will be more to come. "The beauty of Lamb Chop is its endless versatility," says Yellin. "Whether it’s summer-themed prints, shamrock-holding Lamb Chops for St. Patrick’s Day, or heart-adorned designs for Valentine’s Day, there’s always something fresh on the horizon." Multipet's 30th anniversary is this year, and Yellin hinted that you can expect some rare Lamb Chops to mark the occasion.
And if you're wondering how Lamb Chop feels about seeing her likeness be loved (and sometimes ripped apart) by dogs all over, there is an answer. While creator Shari Lewis isn't here to comment on the resurgence of Lamb Chop, her daughter Mallory took to TikTok to react to being a popular dog toy.
Some of our favorite Lamb Chops
If you haven't hopped on the Lamb Chop bandwagon, we'd suggest starting with the traditional 10-inch squeaky toy, unless you have a larger size dog who might prefer the 24-inch size. And don't forget to add an Easter themed one to their basket this spring!
Lamb Chop Jumbo White Plush Dog Toy
Lamb Chop Dog Toy
Standing Lamb Chop
Lamb Chop Head Knobby Noggin
Lamb Chop Birthday Toys
Lamb Chop Bed for Dogs
Lamb Chop Plush Cat Toy with Catnip
Lamb Chop Squeaker Mat
Lamb Chop Spring Polka Dot DogToy
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