Vintage Dog Gallery

Early French Bulldog Child’s Toy, circa 1890

“One of my favourite pieces. Made in Nice, France, this French Bulldog toy was also known as Nicois, Growler, or Nodder because of the actions it performs. It has wheels on the bottom and a pull up chain on the top of the leash. When you pull the chain, the dog opens its mouth and makes a yap/bark. The head moves when pulled and it has brown glass eyes. Both my dogs are afraid of it because of the sound it makes.”

Stuffed dogs, circa 1940s - 1950s

“I collect many early stuffed dogs. Most of the older dogs are made of mohair and are stuffed with straw. Two of the dogs in the photo are from Steiff, a German manufacturer of teddy bears and other stuffed animals. The other toy is a Merrythought Toy made in England.”

Carte de Viste Photo of a young girl and her dog, pre-1870

“These photos were a prominent form of early photography before 1870. I love early photos showing how important dogs were in the family more than 140 years ago.”

Cabinet Photo of a man with his children and his dog, late 1800s

“This photo emphasizes how important dogs were to their owner over 100 years ago. The photo was taken in Orillia, Ontario by a photographer named Wright.”

Coloured Postcard, circa 1960s

“I like the kitschy side of dog collectibles. Pal is looking at Max finishing his dog biscuits in his bowl and Daisy is probably looking at her trainer.”

Original turn-of-last-century advertising sign for Greensmith’s Derby Dog Biscuits

“One of the most colourful and beautifully done pieces in my collection.”

Dog care pamphlet, 1940s

“This 12-page booklet on dog care was published by Toronto Elevators Limited, the manufacturers of Master Dog Foods. Nicely illustrated with drawings by Audrey R. Watts.”

We Just Finished A Post Graduate Course comic postcard, 1950s

“I collect comical postcards from the 1940s to the 1960s. I enjoy them as much as some of the postcards from the early 1900s.”

Bookends, circa 1940s

“I love antiquarian books on dogs. I have many doggie bookends to prop up the books. The book shown is a part of the Beautiful Joe series, which was a popular series of books featuring a dog named Beautiful Joe.”

Royal Doulton terrier china dog licking his dish

“I collect different terriers because my breed, Wheaten Terriers, did not exist in Canada and the US until the 1940s and was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until the 1970s.”

Marx Brothers Photo of Harpo as a Dog Catcher, 1932

“This photo is from the Marx Brothers movie Horse Feathers.”

China perfume lamp with glass eyes, circa 1930s

“This is a very interesting piece. Before the days of room fresheners, people had perfume lamps. You would drop a few drops of perfume on the bulb and the scent would disperse through the holes on the top. You don’t find too many dog perfume lamps especially with eyes that light up when turned on.”

Painting of Three Dogs, 1870s

“I collect early paintings of dogs. I did not realize until I purchased this painting from the 1870s that the artist was not naively painting a folk art version of dogs, but that dogs themselves looked quite different at that time in history.”

Vintage dog bowl, circa 1940s

“This is one of my favourite vintage dog bowls because it has a terrier on the front. I have many, many dog bowls, dating from the 1900s to the 1950s.”