Why china dogs?
Frankly, I don't know. It might be because my father gave my mother a gorgeous china spaniel as a wedding present in 1947. I grew up with that dog. Maybe it's because my great aunt had a collection? Or maybe it's because my husband and I bought a lovely black dog at an auction for $5.00 way back when we were first married. Whatever. I like china dogs.
However, I'm picky. I like dogs of a certain style, mostly of the period I remember from childhood. Yes, the dogs of the 1940s, 50s and 60s have a special appeal. I like my dogs to be china. Not glass. Not bronze. Not plastic. And definitely not resin or compounded porcelain. (With one *exception...)
I know resin holds excellent detail. I know it's cheaper than china. I just don't like it much. I remember when resin came in, some time in the 1970s. In those days, I was collecting china horses, and suddenly my preferred pieces were gone from the shops. In their place was - resin. I resented that.
So, what do I collect? Vintage china dogs. I prefer them without stands. I prefer them with fine detail. I want legs to look like legs, not pipecleaners or sticks of plasticine. I like moulded chests, and visibly muscled haunches. I like toes. Of course, should the dog be a spaniel or an allied feathery breed, I don't insist on muscle. In that case, I insist on hair. Picky, as I said.
I collect mostly Jack Russells, with the occasional foxy, spaniel, dachshund and hunting dog for leaven.
I don't insist on "brand" dogs, but I do like a dog that looks as if someone knew what s/he was making. I do not like odd colours or odd proportions. I loathe "cute". My current desire is for a Branksome China terrier. I keep missing out on them at auction because they are expensive. I also want (how I want) a 1940s Jack Russell lying on its back with a boot. I bid on one once -- but missed it. I also want more of the chain-collar dogs like my dachshund .
*I did mention an exception for resin, didn't I? Well, there's a set of charming little jacks playing with boots, presumably copies of the china one mentioned a minute ago. They are made by Northlight, and I like them very much. I have two.
