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Who let the dogs out?

Racheal
Apr 29, 2016
2 min read

Foo dogs or Staffordshire dogs...which one would you choose? Why not both? These dogs are found in all types of interiors and where did they come from? What's the difference?

The Foo Dogs are of Chinese descent. It is thought that the Han Dynasty began using these "dogs" as guardians, but they are actually depicting lions, not dogs. They believed these guardian lion pairs would protect their palaces, temples, homes, etc. To this day, many businesses and homes use the lion or a pair of lions at their entrance. When the tradition of the guardian lions made their way to the Western world, the name was changed to Foo Dogs. (More info. via Wikipedia)

Along the same lines, the English introduced the Staffordshire dog pairs in the early 1700's. They were typically displayed on mantels, more as status symbols than guardians. The popularity of the spaniel dog breeds were increasing, specifically the King Charles Spaniel, and so did the figurine dogs. At the time, they were primarily produced in the pottery factories of Staffordshire, England and hence were named Staffordshire dogs.

Both are highly collected, especially if you can find a pair! But it is fun to pick up reproductions to display on mantels, shelving, etc. Next time you see a Foo dog or Staffordshire dog pair, give them a second look and maybe even take them home. They are lower maintenance than the real thing!