Antique Staffordshire Dogs For Sale

We love all sorts of antiques but we do have a particular soft spot for Staffordshire dogs. For that reason, we've usually got several pairs of Staffordshire dogs for sale at any given time.

To see our current range of antique Staffordshire dogs for sale head to our Staffordshire Dogs collection.

What are Staffordshire dogs?

Staffordshire dogs are matching pairs of pottery dogs that have been hugely popular household decorations for well over 150 years. Staffordshire pottery dogs usually depict earthenware spaniel dogs in a seated position.

How can I tell Staffordshire dogs' value?

Working out the value of Staffordshire dogs isn't an exact science. Staffordshire dogs value may vary from just a few pounds to several thousand pounds. The main factors in determining the value of Staffordshire dogs figures are:

• Age — When were the Staffordshire dogs made?
• Rarity — How many Staffordshire dogs figurines in the same design are available?
• Craftsmanship — Linked to rarity, is it a mass produced design or something that required a little more care and skill?
• Condition — Are the Staffordshire dogs damaged and, if so, how severely?
• Size — All the factors above being equal, how large are the Staffordshire dogs?

Distinguishing features of Staffordshire dogs

Let's take a look at some of the common features to look out for when you see Staffordshire dogs for sale.

Staffordshire dogs with glass eyes

Many original Staffordshire pottery dog figurines had glass eyes (though some had painted eyes). For that reason, Staffordshire dogs with glass eyes intact are often sought after by collectors.

Staffordshire dogs with distinct legs

The vast majority of pairs of staffordshire dogs features legs that are moulded into the base. Some press-moulded earthenware dogs feature separate front legs. These are rarer, more sought-after and usually more expensive.

Staffordshire dogs firing hole

It's worth looking at the underside of Staffordshire dogs to examine the base. As a rule of thumb, older antique Staffordshire dogs will have a very small firing hole — a vent within the base — of just 30mm in diameter. Some old Staffordshire dogs have no firing at hole.

Newer reproduction Staffordshire dogs often have a larger firing hole of around one inch in diameter.

Staffordshire dogs sizes

Staffordshire dogs come in a wide variety of sizes. Some pairs of Staffordshire dogs are just a few inches high, while other Staffordshire pottery dogs are over a foot tall. Generally, larger dogs are more expensive although this isn't always the case.

Can you get Staffordshire dogs figurines in the USA?

Yes, any of the Staffordshire dogs for sale on our website can be delivered to the USA. There are a large number of Staffordshire dogs collectors and enthusiasts in the US and many of our customers are based in the States.

The history of Staffordshire dogs

Staffordshire pottery dogs have a rich history dating back to the 18th century. These charming ceramic figures, often but not always depicting pairs of seated spaniels, have captured the imaginations of collectors and enthusiasts for generations. Let's explore the history of Staffordshire pottery dogs.

The origins of Staffordshire dogs figurines

The roots of Staffordshire pottery dogs can be traced to the flourishing ceramics industry in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas— known as the Potteries — in Staffordshire, England, during the 18th century.

The region, known for its abundant clay deposits and skilled craftsmen, became a hub for pottery production in this period. The earliest examples of Staffordshire pottery dogs were influenced by the prevailing fashion for Chinoiserie and the European fascination with oriental motifs. These early renditions featured stylised interpretations of dogs inspired by Chinese and Japanese ceramic traditions.

As demand for domestic pottery grew, Staffordshire potters adapted their designs to suit the tastes of the British market. The first recognisable Staffordshire pottery dogs in the mould of what we think of as Staffordshire dogs today emerged around the mid-18th century. They were characterised by their distinctive seated poses and lifelike details.

The shift towards creating more naturalistic representations reflected the broader trend of embracing realism in art and design during this period.

The golden age of Staffordshire Dogs

The late 18th and early 19th centuries marked the golden age of Staffordshire pottery dogs, and indeed Staffordshire pottery in general. The Industrial Revolution brought significant advancements to the pottery industry, enabling mass production and making charming Staffordshire dog figurines more accessible to a broader audience.

Potters such as Thomas Whieldon, Ralph Wood and Josiah Wedgwood played crucial roles in popularising Staffordshire pottery dogs, and before long a large proportion of potbanks offered their own line of Staffordshire dogs for sale.

While spaniels were a mainstay of Staffordshire dogs, potters also captured the characteristics of other breeds, including Staffordshire pottery greyhounds, collies and poodles.

Staffordshire dogs soon became sought-after decorative items for homes across Britain. The popularity of these pottery dogs was not limited to a specific social class, as they adorned the mantelpieces of both aristocratic mansions and humble terraced houses.

The cultural significance of Staffordshire dogs

Staffordshire pottery dogs were more than just decorative pieces. The pairings of dogs were seen as symbols of fidelity and companionship, something that resonated in Victorian society.

Placing pairs of Staffordshire held symbolic meanings that resonated with the Victorian society of the 19th century. Placing Staffordshire dogs on your household's mantelpiece was a reflection of domestic harmony and familial bonds.

With Staffordshire dog designs becoming increasingly elaborate, hand-painted details of coats and collars could also be used to personalise figurines and increase their significance to the owner.

The evolution of Staffordshire dog designs

Staffordshire dogs have changed over the use to follow changing tastes and cultural styles.

In the mid-19th century, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier became a symbol of British fortitude and bravery during the Crimean War. This led to the creation of figurines depicting these Staffies. 

As the Arts and Crafts movement prevailed towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, there was a trend towards more handcrafted and artisanal designs, and a revival of earlier, more traditional styles of Staffordshire dogs.

The decline and resurgence of Staffordshire dogs

Production of Staffordshire dogs fell into decline in the late 19th century as customer trends moved elsewhere. But the enduring popularity of these iconic pieces saw them win favour among collectors, historians and enthusiasts throughout the 20th century.

As an appreciation of antiques and collectibles grew in the second half of the 20th century, so the market for antique Staffordshire dogs grew. It became increasingly common to find Staffordshire dogs for sale at auction and in antique shops, and Staffordshire dogs once again became a go-to piece of decor for homes across the social spectrum.

The resurgence also sparked a market in reproduction Staffordshire dogs that thrived from the middle of the 20th century. Many Staffordshire dogs for sale today come from this period.

Staffordshire dogs today

Staffordshire pottery dogs continue to hold a special place in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts, with the internet making it far easier to find rare Staffordshire dogs for sale and share information with a community of Staffordshire dogs worldwide.

Some contemporary artists and craftspeople have also drawn inspiration from the tradition of Staffordshire pottery dogs, creating modern interpretations that pay homage to the classic designs while infusing new elements of creativity. 

Staffordshire dogs continue to resonate across generations and win a place on the mantelpieces and shelves of people around the world.

See Staffordshire dogs for sale

Our stock of Staffordshire dogs changes frequently as collectors pick up new pieces from us. See our collection of Staffordshire dogs to see which figures we currently have available.