I’m sure it’s not your first time hearing the words “furries” and “pup play.” But do you know exactly what they are or how they differ? Confused? Don’t dwell on it too much — many are baffled by these terms. So, I’m here to clear things up!
Furries and pup play are two separate subcultures. They do have some intersections, but ultimately, they’re not the same. Furries focus on animal characters with human features, in general. Meanwhile, pup play is an exclusive BDSM role-play where the only animals involved are pups or dogs.
When done right, both subcultures are fun, especially with such expressive communities at the helm. I’m excited to let you understand them better, so keep reading!
What is a Furry?
Furries are enthusiasts who engage with anthropomorphic animal characters. Anthropomorphic means the animal characters have human design or qualities.
In the furrydom, these characters are called fursonas. Think of fursonas as furry’s profile. It represents the furry and their unique personality and identity.
Furry Community and Culture
I know that there’s the notion that furries are all about animal sex — which is false. The furry community is more deeply rooted in art, storytelling, role-playing, and creative expression.
Many furries enjoy drawing or commissioning art of their fursonas. Many also write stories or role-play as their characters in various virtual spaces. Furries love to gather at conventions and in meetups too. There, they share art, experiences, and even wear elaborate fursuits to embody their fursonas.
See? It’s not just about getting off sexually. Furry culture isn’t all about sex. While some adult aspects exist within the community, most furries are more focused on the art and social connections.
Common Furry Terms
● Fursona: You but the “furry” version. Your furry persona is an animal character that represents you in the furrydom.
● Fursuit: The costume some furries wear to bring their fursona IRL. It can be full-body or not. Sometimes called “petsuits.”
● Anthrocon: Considered the largest furry convention. Activities in the con usually include furry arts and crafts, literature, and socialization.
What is Pup Play?
Pup play is a form of BDSM role-playing. Here, the sub becomes a human puppy. It’s playful, primal, and actually kinda cute. The sub (aka the pup) is cared for and controlled by the dom partner (aka handler or owner).
This play is more focused on the power dynamics between the owner and the pup. The pup also gets to “leave being human behind,” for a bit and relieve himself of human responsibilities.
Pup Play Culture
Pup play culture brings participants to their primitive instincts. It asks them to break away from the daily grind and competition of being “humans.” Like other BDSM dynamics, the goal is to let go, be a puppy, care for the pup, and just be.
At its core, the play is liberating. It’s also a way to connect with each other through obedience, training, or just having fun. Unlike furries, the pup play community is more commonly found at BDSM or kink-related events.
While gear like pup masks can make it look a little like those in the furrydom, pup play is more about the dynamics between pup and handler than about creating a character.
Common Pup Play Terms
● Pup/Puppy: The partner who takes on the sub role. He’s the one behaving like a pup or dog. He may bark, crawl, wag, and do all things that make them feel like a pup.
● Handler/Owner/Master: The dom partner, who trains or takes care of the pup. He might set rules, give commands, or simply enjoy the pup’s antics.
● Pup Hood/Gay Puppy Mask: A key piece of gear in pup play. It’s a mask that resembles a dog’s face, and it helps pups and handlers get into character.
Key Differences Between Furries and Pup Play
Furries and pup play both involve animal-like characters. But they’re actually pretty different in both intention and customs. Let me tell you more key differences between the two:
Motivations
Furries:
Furries are motivated by a deep connection to their fursona. For most furries, it’s a form of self-expression and creativity. On a deeper level, it’s an avenue for identity exploration.
Furries create anthropomorphic animal characters that represent them in some way. It can be matching personality, physical traits, or emotions. It’s more about running into a world of imagination, art, and community.
Pup Play:
In pup play, the motivation leans more toward power dynamics and primal instincts. It’s usually part of BDSM. So, the focus is on the relationship between the pup (sub) and owner (dom).
Both partners can be guided by the intention to control and release control. The pup wants to be carefree. The owner wants to control or spoil. Despite this, pup play is still an effective way to connect physically and emotionally.
Cultural Practices
Furries:
Furry culture revolves around inventiveness and artistic expression. You’ll find furries participating in many projects and programs. It’s a part of their culture to want to meet other furries.
The furrydom thrives in online forums, role-playing games, and fan art galleries. There’s also an adult element in specific spaces. But it’s usually more about building worlds and fursonas.
Pup Play:
Pup play culture, on the other hand, is tied more to BDSM or kink-related stuff. The energy here is more about cardinal or fundamental urges. There’s also the need to explore power dynamics.
Pup play doesn’t require much art and storytelling. Pups and handlers interact with each other through obedience and sometimes more structured BDSM scenes.
It’s not unusual to see pups wearing pup hoods and collars at kink events or during intimate scenes with their handler.
Identity vs. Role-Playing
Furries:
Furries can consider their fursonas as the core part of their identity. Many furries feel their animal persona reflects their inner self. So, they might interact with the world through that lens — yes, even outside of the furrydom.
Their fursona is often a long-term expression of who they are — almost like an alternate self.
Pup Play:
In pup play, the role of the pup and owner is usually temporary. The roles are used for specific moments or scenes — kinky or not.
It’s about stepping into another shoes to explore the relationship and the partners’ desires. Once the pup play scene ends, the participants return to their everyday human identities.
It’s less about long-term identity and more about the experience of play in the moment.
Gear and Outfits
Furries:
Furries often invest in fursuits to physically show their fursona. These suits can be highly detailed and custom-made. After all, it’s used to represent their chosen animal character.
They’re usually worn at cons or meetups. But take note! Fursuits aren’t a requirement to be considered a furry. Some furries are just as happy expressing their fursona through art, storytelling, or online interactions.
Pup Play:
Gear is an important part of getting into the pup mindset. Most pups wear a pup hood or mask. This resembles a dog’s face and can be a complete or half pup mask.
Other common pup play items include collars, leashes, and mitts to prevent the pup from using their hands like a human. Unlike fursuits, pup play gear is specifically designed to elevate the BDSM aspect of the role, focusing on submission and control.
Common Misunderstandings Between Furries and Pup Play
It’s easy to mix up furries and pup play, but there are some big differences that tend to confuse people.
Is Pup Play the Same as Being a Furry?
Nope, not at all! While both involve animal-like characters, pup play is about role-playing as a pup or dog. It’s typically within a BDSM dynamic. It’s more about submission and power exchange.
Furries, on the other hand, are all about animals with human traits. Furries are usually driven by creativity, art, and self-expression. Meanwhile, pup play focuses on the emotional and physical experience of being a “pup” and caring for said pup.
Do Furries and Pup Players Attend the Same Events?
Not usually. Furries tend to gather at furry cons. In these meetups, the focus is on art, costumes, and fandom.
Pup players, though, are more likely to attend BDSM or kink-specific events. You might see pup players at leather conventions or other BDSM meetups, but it’s rare to see them at furry events.
That said, there can be some overlap. So, it’s possible you might find a furry who’s also into pup play at kink events.
Is Pup Play Always Sexual?
No, it doesn’t have to be. While pup play is often part of BDSM and can have sexual elements, it’s not always about sex. For some pups and owners, the appeal is in the freedom to act like a cute, playful dog, release stress, or explore submission in a non-sexual way.
Is Being a Furry a Sexual Fetish?
Nope, being a furry is not inherently sexual. Most furries are into the creative and social aspects of the community, like art, storytelling, and role-playing.
Of course, there are adult elements within the furry fandom (as there are in almost any community), but for the majority of furries, it’s about identity, creativity, and shared experiences, not sex.
Can Someone Be Both a Furry and Into Pup Play?
Absolutely! There’s no rule saying you have to pick one or the other. Some enjoy both the creative freedom of being a furry and the power dynamics of pup play.
While the two subcultures have different focuses, they aren’t mutually exclusive. You might even find someone who incorporates elements of their fursona into their pup play, or vice versa.
Do You Have to Wear a Fursuit or Pup Hood to Participate?
Nope! You don’t need a fursuit to be a furry. Likewise, you don’t need a pup hood to enjoy pup play. While some people love wearing the gear to help them get into character, it’s not a requirement.
In the furry community, lots of people express themselves through art, writing, or online role-play. In pup play, some pups feel just as connected to the experience without needing the mask or other gear.
Conclusion
While furries and pup play both involve animal-like personas, they come from completely different worlds.
● Furries are all about creative expression, art, and self-discovery through anthropomorphic characters. It’s a way to explore identity and connect with a community of like-minded people.
● On the flip side, pup play is rooted in BDSM and revolves around primal play, submission, and the connection between pup and owner. It’s less about creating a character and more about diving into a specific role within a power dynamic.
Once you understand these differences, you won’t be confused anymore! The more you know, the more you can show respect for these subcultures. Plus, it’s important to appreciate what makes them special in their own right!
Isn’t it such a fun realization that there are so many ways to explore who you are and how you want to express yourself? So why not try these communities? You might just find been looking for!
