The model dog hobby as we know it today, got its start in 1950.

Murph! A Country Artists Greyhound.

Why so long ago? It was that year that Breyer Animal Creations developed a western horse mould for the Mastercraft Clock Company. Instead of payment, the company ( Breyer ) retained the mould and made model horses for C.W. Woolworth, Co.

Such was the demand for Breyer model horses, the company created more moulds for more model horses and eventually other animals, including model dogs. Presently, Breyer still is making model dogs!

In the 1970s, a few people got together and decided to have a "live model horse show." Enthusiasts would bring their Breyer­ horses and place them on a table for judging. Quickly they discovered that many of them also collected model dogs.

Border Fine Arts Border Collie dog with pups.

Clubs were formed and a newsletter was published for those people who were interested in the hobby of collecting and photo showing model dogs. Dogs were made from a variety of materials including china, resin, plastic and other materials; and undoubtedly some Breyer dogs were in the mix.

Some of the more popular companies that make model dogs, besides Breyer are Hagen-Renaker , Lefton, Beswick, Country Artists, Conversation Concepts, Living Stone, United Design, Stone Critters, North Lights, Border Fine Arts , Dogs of the World, Summit Collection, Sandicast , and Castagna.

Breyer dog selection.

The model dog hobby is gaining more recognition in the 21st century than it has done for the last thirty-plus years. In Europe, there are model dog clubs that not only photo show, but have "live model dog shows."

In the United States, more hosts of the live model horse shows are including classes for model dogs.