Today, when strategy board games are in power, many board game designers are combining more diverse themes to cater to the trend of the times. Such as the steady and steady humanistic and historical theme, the thrilling magical adventure, the more forward-looking scientific theme, and the most popular natural biology theme this year.

These complex theme categories are like different theme parks in a large amusement park, offering exclusive happiness to players with different hobbies. And there is such a faction, I believe that the fierce tough guys will also be moved by cute pets.

But in fact, looking back and thinking carefully, in the so-called "cute pet" series, there seem to be more board games for cats, but relatively few for dogs. Does it mean that there are also "cat faction" and "dog faction" in board games?

Cats will rule the world?

EXPLODING KITTENS is an absolute cat control, as the top masterpiece of the cat faction, all kinds of intricate and bizarre cat explosion events make the thrilling "Russian Roulette" game adorable. 

At that time, the term EXPLODING KITTENS was still very oolong and was opposed by cat lovers. Therefore, the designer team also launched an orange cat collar named "Kitty Convict Collars" to remind everyone that if you are outside If you see cats wearing collars, they may run out of the house by themselves. Please help them reunite with their owners. 

The name of EXPLODING KITTENS also is explained. Because the cat itself is a little troublesome, they are always accidentally causing troubles. And the purpose of the game is to save them. After several widely known events, the theme of EXPLODING KITTENS is not only popular in the board game industry, even mobile game, film and television. 

From the success of EXPLODING KITTENS, the follow -up “cat faction“ games sprung up like a bamboo shoot.Cat in the Box：Deluxe Edition, with a unique "quantum mechanics" perspective, was very popular at this GENCON. What about "dog faction"? Is it unpopular in board games?

Rise, my puppy! 

I continued to find it with major board game posts on BGG. It is really few board games about dog themes. The relatively famous maybe is MONOPOLY Cats VS. DOGS, and most of the remainder are the wool games or toys.

But that's not what it used to be. The dog faction is finally on the rise! The board game Dog Park is here.

Compared to the "cat faction" board game, which is only named after cats, this "dog faction" masterpiece, Dog Park, can be said to include almost any dog you can meet in reality. And you can enjoy a dog addiction.

From the amazing number of dog cards and very delicate features in the game, you can understand that the designer couple really loves dogs, and it is all because of the arrival of a new life.

The HAZELL couple welcomed a new family member in 2019, Rupert, who is not a newborn but a cute Specker dog. The arrival of the new life has changed the tone of the life of the couple, It's all about the dog.

Inspired one day, they decided to turn their daily life into a board game, and the game background was around Rupert's favorite dog park. 

So, they founded Birdwood Games in 2020, The couple developed and designed their own board game, carrying Rupert's little wish, and brought the happiness in the dog park to the world. 

The artist's superb painting skills bring the dogs on each card more vividly, not only the breed and name of the dog, but also their unique personality interpretation, making the Encyclopedia of Dogs a fun play.

The subsequent expansion cards also included European Breeds and Famous Breeds. 

Famous breeds are more of a crossover Easter egg, containing many of the dogs we often see in classic movies and television.

Among the most famous are the Dalmatian in 101 Loyal Dogs, the Akita Inu in Hachi Loyal Dog, the Cocker in Lady and the Tramp, and the cowardly Fang Neapolitan Mastiff in Hagrid's cabin... There are more Easter eggs dog to find.

I want both dogs and cats

We can enjoy the infinite fun brought by pets in board games. We don't need to comb or scoop shit. 45 minutes of board games can cover the life of pets for more than 10 years. 

There is a good story in the pet world. "If you want a pet, you might want to sit in a pet hospital for a few days to see if you can cope with the loss of life or the huge bills. If you think you can bear it, keep it."

Or now that you've made up your mind, Puppy Park is the perfect guide to getting started with a dog.

In the game, you can learn a lot about the characteristics of each dog breed, so that you can compare whether your living space is suitable, what kind of dog and personality to keep, and even the snack toys matched in the game have become popular. The Pekingese and Pug dogs with Chinese characteristics are also included in the game! Why don't you get it started?