All About Collecting Dog Figurines
A group of seven dog figurines that were for sale at Peter Francis auctioneers
A comparison table listing the 10 most popular dog breeds in ceramic collectables, including their most famous makers and price potential.
| Dog Breed | Famous Makers / Manufacturers | Key Characteristics in Ceramics | Typical Price Range | Peak Rarity / High-End Potential |
| 1. King Charles Spaniel | Staffordshire Potteries, Beswick, Royal Doulton | Classic Victorian “mantle dogs” (often in pairs), press-moulded earthenware with hand-painted coat details and gilt accents. | £20 – £150 (Pairs: £100 – £350) | £500 – £1,200+ (Rare early 19th-century Staffordshire pairs or rare Beswick finishes) |
| 2. Dachshund | Beswick, Rosenthal, Royal Copenhagen, SylvaC | Sleek Mid-Century and Art Deco forms highlighting the long body and glossy glazes (black & tan, reddish-brown). | £15 – £60 | £250 – £600+ (Rosenthal or Nymphenburg porcelain models by famous sculptors) |
| 3. Greyhound / Whippet | Staffordshire, Royal Doulton, Meissen, Beswick | Elegant, slender proportions; often depicted in reclining positions, course hunting poses, or pen holders/inkwells in Victorian pairs. | £30 – £120 | £500 – £1,500+ (Victorian Staffordshire quill holders or antique Continental porcelain) |
| 4. English Bulldog | Royal Doulton, Beswick, Melba Ware, Wade | Stocky, muscular posture with expressive facial wrinkling; popular in patriotic WWII Union Jack glazes and character lines. | £20 – £75 | £300 – £800+ (Royal Doulton “Patriotic Bulldog” variants or early pre-WWII HN series) |
| 5. Terrier (Fox, Scottish, Airedale) | Beswick, Royal Doulton, Rosenthal, Crown Staffordshire | Alert, wiry coat textures and spunky postures; extremely popular in 1920s–1950s Art Deco and champion breed series. | £20 – £65 | £200 – £500+ (Pre-war Rosenthal porcelain or discontinued Beswick champion figures) |
| 6. German Shepherd (Alsatian) | Beswick, Royal Doulton, Royal Copenhagen, Goebel | Majestic, athletic stance; focus on realistic anatomical grading and detailed hand-painted shading. | £25 – £80 | £300 – £700+ (Large Beswick Fireside figures or early Royal Doulton working dog models) |
| 7. Poodle | Royal Doulton, SylvaC, Goebel, Continental Potteries | Stylized “Continental coat” clip designs; hugely popular during the 1950s–1960s Mid-Century decor boom. | £15 – £50 | £150 – £450+ (Vintage Goebel or Royal Doulton high-gloss/mid-century character models) |
| 8. Old English Sheepdog | Beswick, Royal Doulton, Coopercraft | Shaggy coat details; famously immortalized in pop culture through advertising commissions. | £25 – £90 | £150 – £350+ (Beswick Dulux promotional figures or large floor-standing models) |
| 9. Pug | Meissen, Staffordshire, Royal Doulton, Beswick | Characterized by curled tails, dark facial masks, and wrinkled brows; highly collected since the 18th century. | £30 – £100 | £800 – £3,000+ (18th-century Meissen porcelain pugs or rare Victorian earthenware) |
| 10. Beagle | Beswick, Royal Doulton, Border Fine Arts | Tricolor hand-painted coats and alert hound postures, often modeled after registered Kennel Club champions. | £20 – £60 | £150 – £400+ (Rare matte finishes, early Beswick production runs, or prototype glazes) |
Collecting dog figurines is one of the most enduring and accessible niches in British ceramics and decorative arts.
Whether you are drawn to the rustic charm of Victorian chimney decorations or the sleek, anatomically precise models of the mid-20th century, the market offers a wide spectrum of historical makers and price points.
Here is a guide to the most sought-after makers, their era of production, and their typical market values.
Top Brands to Collect
1. Staffordshire Pottery (Victorian “Mantle Dogs”)
Production Era: Mid-to-late 19th Century (c. 1840s–1900s).
History: Made by various potteries in Staffordshire, England, these press-moulded earthenware figures were sold as affordable decorative pieces for Victorian homes. They were typically created in mirror-image pairs to sit on either side of a fireplace mantel, with King Charles Spaniels being the iconic standard.
Value Guide:
Standard Single Spaniel: £20 – £50
Authentic 19th-Century Pair (Spaniels): £100 – £350 depending on scale and paint condition.
Rare Breeds / Early Models (Greyhounds, Poodles, Pugs): £300 – £800+ per pair.
2. John Beswick Studio (Staffordshire)
Production Era: 1930s – 2002.
History: Famous for capturing the natural movement and precise anatomical detail of champion breeds. Beswick collaborated with official breed judges to ensure coat texture, posture, and proportions were spot-on.
Value Guide:
Common Standard Models (Beagles, Dachshunds, Alsatians): £20 – £50.
Fireside Series (Large Floor Figures, 12″+): £40 – £120.
Advertising / Special Commissions (e.g., Dulux Old English Sheepdog): £150 – £300.
Rare Colourways & Limited Editions: £300 – £800+.
3. Royal Doulton
Production Era: 1913 – 2005 (Figurine production peak).
History: Renowned for bone china craftsmanship and refined hand-painting. Royal Doulton produced extensive canine series under “HN” series codes, including working dogs, sporting breeds, and character dogs.
Value Guide:
Standard Post-1960 Figures: £25 – £75.
Pre-WWII (1920s–1930s) Early HN Series Models: £150 – £500.
Flambé Glaze Dogs or Prototypes: £500 – £2,000+.
4. Continental Porcelain (Meissen, Rosenthal, & Royal Copenhagen)
Production Era: Late 18th Century – Present.
History: For collectors seeking high porcelain, Continental European potteries represent the top tier. Meissen introduced famous pug figures in the 18th century, while Rosenthal (Germany) and Royal Copenhagen (Denmark) excelled at Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern renderings.
Value Guide:
Royal Copenhagen / Mid-Century Rosenthal: £60 – £200.
19th Century Meissen or Nymphenburg Models: £400 – £1,500+.
Price Breakdown by Era & Category
4 Rules for Evaluating Dog Figurines
Check the Base Markings: Stamped or back-stamped factory marks drastically affect value over unbranded pieces. Beswick pieces usually carry an impressed model number alongside a stamp.
Inspect the Ears and Tails: Ears, tails, and delicate paws are prone to fine cracks, chips, and historical restorations. Unnoticed damage can reduce a figurine’s market value by up to 70%.
Confirm Breed Accuracy: Collectors often specialize in a single breed (e.g., Corgis, Terriers, Boxers). Rare breeds or retired models of specific breeds often command a premium over common designs.
Look for Luster and Crazing: Victorian Staffordshire pieces often display fine crackling in the glaze (crazing), which is normal for their age, whereas modern bone china should remain smooth and crack-free.
