Carousel Dogs

The Looff workshop carved multiple dog breeds, including a retriever (formerly on the Salem Willows Park carousel), Saint Bernards, and greyhounds.

Herschell-Spillman produced dogs in two main styles: one with outstretched legs and simpler fur, and a more detailed version with more fur carving and dynamic, in-motion posing, both resembling retrievers.

There were only three dogs produced by the Dentzel company--two of which are park of the Rocky Springs, PA machine.

Philadelphia Toboggan Company carved the most famous carousel dog: Bruno the 'Saint Bernard' (actually modeled after a Leonberger, not a Saint Bernard), which sold in 1992 at a Jim Aten auction for $174,000--breaking the previous record for highest selling carousel figure. PTC made only five dogs based on the Leonberger breed, only three of which carried a brandy keg (including Bruno). PTC also sold a small, terrier-like dog figure on its kiddie carousels--though there is some speculation about whether or not the carving was actually completed by PTC or outsourced. It is believed that only one or two of these carousels were ever produced, so these dogs are incredibly rare--potentially with only one or two in existence.

French carvers, including Henri and Jacques Matthieu and Henri Devos, also produced dog carousel figures of varying breeds including Saint Bernards and poodles.

Modern manufacturer Carousel Works offered two breeds: an unusual, shaggy Briard (a French sheepdog) as well as what the company referred to as a Labrador retriever that more closely resembled a golden retriever. They also made PTC-style Saint Bernards.