Decorating Is Going to the Dogs

Almost from the dawn of time, humans have had a love affair with dogs. And that love has translated into a wealth of dog-related decorative objects. From primitive cave drawings to Victorian portraiture, dogs have been a favorite subject of paintings, sculptures and tchotchkes for millennia.

Since I am deathly allergic to actual canines, I’ve had great fun metaphorically scratching that itch by collecting dog stuff. Enjoy with me the humor, love and artistry that decorating with dogs can bring.

As adorable as they are in person, dogs make even better subjects for decor.

How to make a vintage suitcase dog bed


Whether we favor works depicting dogs in general, as in this endearingly colorful work …


… or choose to immortalize a furry family member, we are following in the footsteps of centuries of dog lovers before us.


Decorating with dogs became particularly fashionable in the Victorian era, when artists like Edwin Landseer (1802–1873) painted the family pet prodigiously, bringing dog art to the masses. Landseer joined his great skill in depicting animal anatomy with a bent toward humanizing his subjects, to tell a sentimental story or point out a moral. His work had an enormous impact on mainstream perceptions about the treatment of animals, and his career coincided with the passage of the first animal-cruelty-prevention laws.


Queen Victoria — who had a well-publicized obsession with dachshunds and Pomeranians — owned 39 paintings by Landseer.

I spent an entire day in London chasing down this reproduction of one of Landseer’s most famous works, “The Cavalier’s Pets.” Of course, to the English, dogs are more than man’s best friend. They are a step above family. And Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (like the ones in this Landseer piece) sit at the top of the food chain.

Victorian art might be out of favor at the moment, but portraying dogs as worthy individuals was revolutionary in the 1800s. No artist was more influential in this respect than Landseer.


Earthenware King Charles Spaniels, like these creamy beauties, were ubiquitous in 19th-century English middle-class homes, where they stood guard in pairs on the mantelpiece or windowsill. Mostly manufactured out of soft paste porcelain in the pottery factories of Staffordshire, the spaniels were seated in pairs, decorated with a gold chain and locket, and had a creamy white base coat. Again, these dogs have fallen a bit out of favor with collectors …


… but not with me! My Staffordshire Toby jug is an exception to the pair rule, as his entire body faces forward. My husband and I found him in a tiny, somewhat dirty antiques shop in the Cotswolds, and of course our question was, “How much is that doggy in the window?”

The answer required a trip to the ATM, but he is one of our favorite possessions. Here he sits with some of my collection of vintage doggy inkwells and ashtrays.


Dog sculptures are just as popular and collectible as dog paintings. You might score a spectacular vintage flea market find like this gorgeous black statue of a greyhound in recline …


… or this very serious and alert fellow.


How about this heartwarming and so-realistic bronze?


Or this folk art find?


Just like their real counterparts, dogs simply work in any room …





… anytime …

… indoors or out. These greyhound statues were found at a local garden shop, and they are the perfect complement to this gazebo.





And you do not have to be too serious about it. I love the pop art mutt above! (May I say that without being offensive?)

And the exuberantly overdressed tongue-in-cheek hound at left.


In my studied opinion, it is almost impossible to overdo dogs. This charming room sports a dog sculpture, a fire hydrant statue, a four-poster dog bed and dog art. Am I missing anything? Oh, yes — there’s even dog wallpaper.


But just like with real dogs, one can be enough, too.


Dogs can be present in many mediums, such as wallpaper. This one features the silhouettes of various dog breeds.


Or in iron, like with the doggy doorstops that adorn this mantel in a time-honored way.





Or in fabric, like with the fabulous and wonderfully colorful dog pillows above, made by Serena & Lily.

How about a doggy doorknob?


Or a doggy lamp?


If you think collecting dogs might be fun, search street fairs and flea markets, where dog paraphernalia abounds.


Dog Head Hooks - $34Or simply start with these to-die-for dog-head hooks.


Even dogs seem to appreciate dog art. Just look at the collection this little pooch has amassed (with some help from its owner).

Author Dave Barry best explains our love affair with dogs: “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’”

More: 50 Dog Photos Worth a Wag

URL: Decorating Is Going to the Dogs http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-24240.html