Play Visions Mini Dogs, A numbers mystery

It was so exciting learning about the cats, I took photos of these guys when I got home today. :) Thanks to Roger I now know these came from the same catalogue as the mini cats and horses. So that at least has been solved. Here's that, cropped, for reference (note that the image was flipped, so all the molds are mirror images). I'm missing what looks like a Lhaso Apso in the center:
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Some things I am still curious about:

- The numbers! Some of them share a number, some of them in the same mold have different numbers, some of them do not have numbers at all! Any ideas why that would be the case? Anyone have a duplicate with some other number than shown here? (EDIT: I will add - I do not remember most of these dogs from my childhood, I do not think I got the set, so the number discrepancies might be because they were sold individually, but I still don't understand why the number would change on the same mold.)

- These were made with either orange or white plastic and then painted with black, white, gray, and details in red, pink, and blue. The horses and cats, however, are made in white plastic or the color of the horse's body (lots of shades of brown). That's odd to me, too! Why was orange plastic used here? It's quite a color! Traffic Cone Orange.

- I would be so excited to see any images of these molds painted with more detail, like the Club Earth horses, if they exist (and I feel like they might, because I have a similarly solid colored set of horses). I think they would look tremendous, they are such lovely little guys!

2 PUG
Straight forward number wise, no duplicate to compare to.
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3 YORKSHIRE TERRIER
Normal as far as I can tell! You must trust me that it's a 3, it is hard to get a photo.
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4 SCOTTISH TERRIER
Still okay, things are progressing normally.
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6 POMERANIAN
Again, not a duplicate so as far as I know, no mystery! Only a worried little expression.
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7 WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER
Only unusual because, as you'll see, all the other duplicates do not match. These two do, despite one being from the new set and one from my childhood.
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10 COLLIE
The last of the ones that make sense!
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5 & 9 POODLE
Here's the first weird one. Identical poodles, one from my childhood and one from this ebay lot. Same mold, same paint, different numbers.
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12 ALASKAN MALAMUTE & BRITTANY SPANIEL
Here's a different twist, I am pretty sure both of these guys have 12 as their number. They came in the lot together, too. Neither is from my childhood. The spaniel is very hard to read, to be fair, but I am almost certain it is a 12! (He's also not very Brittany looking, though he does have the sweetest, most morose expression.)
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6 & 11 DACHSHUND
Same thing as the poodles! Same mold, different number! One from the new set, one from the old.
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?? MALTESE
And this one doesn't seem to have a number at all! Unless you guys can spy one in there somewhere?? She is from the new set.
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Thanks again for any help with these! I'm already thrilled to know more about where they came from than I did when I bought them.

Lilias, is that the Pomeranian you saw in an eBay lot, not so long ago?

The dog topic, very exciting!
Yes Adam, it is!! I discovered it yesterday on the cat topic which is very exciting, I am so happy because now I know where to look- and it also seems like such a coincidence given that only a few days before I was trying to figure out this pom's brand!
I love that Pom, but I was just wondering whether the one I saw in the Ebay lot is a slightly lighter colour? Here is the photo:
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And I agree, the numbers are a big mystery! Maybe it depends on their batch, with the ones from your childhood having different numbers because they were grouped/ numbered differently in the earlier batches... and maybe the Maltese's number was missing just because it was a 1, or some number that got lost in the sculpt of the fur!  
And then the dogs- I love these little models, and I completely agree that if they were repainted they would look fantastic! I am so tempted to buy the set from the link you sent- and maybe if I do, I'll buy two and repaint the second lot! Even though they are quite basically painted these models have some lovely details- the pug unlike some models is so recognisable as this breed with the folds of skin around the nose, I just love this model! And the little Yorkie, if I look past the basic painting I can see such a beautiful sculpt again, especially on such a small model! They must be very small considering how they compare to the pins- maybe an inch and a half or so?
And that gorgeous Scottie too- again such a wonderful sculpt with that little bearded chin, and that delightful Pomeranian- I love this model, from some angles especially it looks just how the breed does!
The mystery Westie has so much character too- and would also look lovely repainted as a Cairn- he has a very similar face to this breed! Another of my favourites has to be that little Rough Collie too- I can never have enough collies and this one really brings out the sweet nature of this breed! Even if the legs are a little thick and it's lacking the ruff around the neck slightly, it's these things that make it look so similar to how this breed looks as a puppy, and I'm sure it would look lovely with a few adjustments to the colour of its coat! The poodle's texture is very nice- and sculpted just how they are clipped! The Alaskan Malamute's interesting too- it seems much more basic than the others and doesn't really represent the breed- maybe because of the solid black painting! But it's really interesting how they chose to make a Brittany over other Spaniel breeds- again I think painted differently this wonderfully sweet dog would look less like a Bulldog breed and more like a Brittany!
And a darling Dachshund and Maltese to finish off, I love how they have done the flowing coat of the Maltese, with all the hair falling in the right directions!
Thank you so much for all these photos- it's always wonderful when new dogs are added to TAW! Hopefully maybe in the future we will be able to solve the mystery of the numbers too, and find that Lhasa Apso!
Sorry for such a long message- I can never stop talking on STS dog topics!    [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Oh, again a good example how it is difficult to sort things on TAW.
These two models with number 12 from the same lot destroy any theory.
OK, there are several reasons why the same figures can present different numbers.
If they are sold by different brands it likely will happen. Sometimes also when they are sold in different kinds of packaging like cases, blisters, bags, etc even if these sets belong to the same brand. It happens often because the number of figures available in each set is different so they need to adjust the numbering. Sure, it is not a rule and as you have two figures with [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], it is unlikely the case here.
One thing is evident, you have at least figures from two sets, likely three sets.
Let's start trying to group a set.
I believe your Maltese is [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], that's the number nobody can see.
Could you tell me (with numbers) which figures are from your childhood?

I see Bonnie posted meanwhile and our dog girl is already getting how things work.

These were originally sold in a boxed 'bulk' set. Some were sold via just the dogs or just the cats but several years ago I bought a 'bulk' box containing these dogs and the cats from your other topic. They are more than likely Club Earth/ Playvisions since Play Visions bought Club Earth some years back.

Have seen the cats marketed (and colored differently) under a playset called 'Kitty Park' by company / brand CP Toys. (CP standing for 'Constructive Playthings') I vaguely remember CP Toys having a playset with these dogs too.

WhiteLightning Wolf wrote:

These were originally sold in a boxed 'bulk' set. Some were sold via just the dogs or just the cats but several years ago I bought a 'bulk' box containing these dogs and the cats from your other topic. They are more than likely Club Earth/ Playvisions since Play Visions bought Club Earth some years back.

Have seen the cats marketed (and colored differently) under a playset called 'Kitty Park' by company / brand CP Toys. (CP standing for 'Constructive Playthings') I vaguely remember CP Toys having a playset with these dogs too.

This is so interesting, thank you!

Nice too Jill

Thank you again everyone!!

Roger wrote:

Oh, again a good example how it is difficult to sort things on TAW.
These two models with number 12 from the same lot destroy any theory.

I'm beginning to get a glimmer of an idea of how difficult identifying and categorizing animal figures must be!

Quote :

OK, there are several reasons why the same figures can present different numbers.
If they are sold by different brands it likely will happen. Sometimes also when they are sold in different kinds of packaging like cases, blisters, bags, etc even if these sets belong to the same brand. It happens often because the number of figures available in each set is different so they need to adjust the numbering. Sure, it is not a rule and as you have two figures with [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], it is unlikely the case here.

Okay, that makes sense! I just didn't know you could change the actual mold, I thought they were probably metal or something otherwise difficult to adjust small details on?

Quote :

One thing is evident, you have at least figures from two sets, likely three sets.

Okay, that's what I was wondering. I will note that I have no proof these dogs were originally sold together, as they were not new in package. Possibly the seller had them from different sets and lumped them together?

Quote :

Let's start trying to group a set.
I believe your Maltese is [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], that's the number nobody can see.

Makes sense to me!

Quote :

Could you tell me (with numbers) which figures are from your childhood?

Yes, certainly:
- Original to me, not purchased in a group: 7 West Highland, 9 Poodle, 11 Dachshund
- Purchased together as a lot (but unclear if packaged together originally): 1(?) Maltese, 2 Pug, 3 Yorkshire Terrier, 4 Scottish Terrier, 5 Poodle, 6 Pomeranian and Dachshund (I didn't even notice this overlap at first!), 7 West Highland, no 8 or 9, 10 Collie, no 11, 12 Brittany and Malamute

So with the Lhaso Apso, there are the correct number of dogs, just the wrong numbers!

Now I am so curious if the same seller would have multiple different numbered duplicates and just groups them randomly! They had at least two sets for sale I know because it popped up again after I bought mine.

Bonnie wrote:

The dog topic, very exciting!

I'm glad they were exciting to see for someone who already knows so many dog figures! I appreciate your input on them.

Quote :

I love that Pom, but I was just wondering whether the one I saw in the Ebay lot is a slightly lighter colour?

If that photo is true to life color, then yes, much lighter! Mine are see-from-space orange, which is not my favorite look.  

Quote :

And then the dogs- I love these little models, and I completely agree that if they were repainted they would look fantastic! I am so tempted to buy the set from the link you sent- and maybe if I do, I'll buy two and repaint the second lot!

That sounds like a fun idea! If you do get them, please share what their numbers are, I am so curious now if they are just several sets all mixed up and put back together randomly . . . .

Quote :

Even though they are quite basically painted these models have some lovely details- the pug unlike some models is so recognisable as this breed with the folds of skin around the nose, I just love this model!

The pug is one of my favorites of this set for sure. I am partial, because I had a pug for many years, but this one has such perfect wrinkles. (I would love to see him NOT the color of a Cheeto, though that is what I've named him).

Quote :

And the little Yorkie, if I look past the basic painting I can see such a beautiful sculpt again, especially on such a small model! They must be very small considering how they compare to the pins- maybe an inch and a half or so?

I don't have one in front of me right now, but yes, a little over an inch. :)

Quote :

And that gorgeous Scottie too- again such a wonderful sculpt with that little bearded chin,

I wish the black models showed up a little better in the photo, they have such nice expressions, especially the dachshund.

Quote :

and that delightful Pomeranian- I love this model, from some angles especially it looks just how the breed does!
The mystery Westie has so much character too- and would also look lovely repainted as a Cairn- he has a very similar face to this breed!

I agree, he does look very like a Cairn!

Quote :

Another of my favourites has to be that little Rough Collie too- I can never have enough collies and this one really brings out the sweet nature of this breed! Even if the legs are a little thick and it's lacking the ruff around the neck slightly, it's these things that make it look so similar to how this breed looks as a puppy, and I'm sure it would look lovely with a few adjustments to the colour of its coat!

I remembered you said you a partial to the collies and wondered what you would think of this little one. You're right, such short, chunky little legs!   They did best in my opinion on the toy and small terrier breeds, it seems harder to get the large breeds to work on the scale.

Quote :

The poodle's texture is very nice- and sculpted just how they are clipped! The Alaskan Malamute's interesting too- it seems much more basic than the others and doesn't really represent the breed- maybe because of the solid black painting!

I certainly agree, he stands out of the crowd as the least-nice, unfortunately. So stiff and without breed details. Almost looks like a poor attempt at a wolf instead of a malamute. Maybe a new paint job would help . . . (I still love him of course, don't tell him I said that   )

Quote :

But it's really interesting how they chose to make a Brittany over other Spaniel breeds- again I think painted differently this wonderfully sweet dog would look less like a Bulldog breed and more like a Brittany!

He seems far too wrinkly for a Brittany, and with such a long tail! Maybe the mold was created in a country that doesn't dock tails, so that could explain that, but to me he looks more like some kind of mastiff breed or something.

Quote :

And a darling Dachshund and Maltese to finish off, I love how they have done the flowing coat of the Maltese, with all the hair falling in the right directions!

The Maltese has the sweetest face of the whole set, I think, and looks the friendliest. :)

Quote :

Thank you so much for all these photos- it's always wonderful when new dogs are added to TAW! Hopefully maybe in the future we will be able to solve the mystery of the numbers too, and find that Lhasa Apso!
Sorry for such a long message- I can never stop talking on STS dog topics!    [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thanks so much for your thoughts! No such thing as too long of a message, it's fun to hear what you think about them!

WhiteLightning Wolf wrote:

These were originally sold in a boxed 'bulk' set. Some were sold via just the dogs or just the cats but several years ago I bought a 'bulk' box containing these dogs and the cats from your other topic. They are more than likely Club Earth/ Playvisions since Play Visions bought Club Earth some years back.

Have seen the cats marketed (and colored differently) under a playset called 'Kitty Park' by company / brand CP Toys. (CP standing for 'Constructive Playthings') I vaguely remember CP Toys having a playset with these dogs too.

Love this information, thank you so much! What a find that bulk box must have been. I would love to know what all of those looked like!

EDIT: I found the Kitty Park on Amazon, very cool! It's not currently available, but I will have to keep an eye out, because I'd love to have them alongside the originals . . .

I didn't know my pug was from this brand, excellent topic! The models are quite nice, I really need that maltese.

Jill wrote:

Bonnie wrote:

The dog topic, very exciting!

I'm glad they were exciting to see for someone who already knows so many dog figures! I appreciate your input on them.

Quote :

I love that Pom, but I was just wondering whether the one I saw in the Ebay lot is a slightly lighter colour?

If that photo is true to life color, then yes, much lighter! Mine are see-from-space orange, which is not my favorite look.  

Quote :

And then the dogs- I love these little models, and I completely agree that if they were repainted they would look fantastic! I am so tempted to buy the set from the link you sent- and maybe if I do, I'll buy two and repaint the second lot!

That sounds like a fun idea! If you do get them, please share what their numbers are, I am so curious now if they are just several sets all mixed up and put back together randomly . . . .

Quote :

Even though they are quite basically painted these models have some lovely details- the pug unlike some models is so recognisable as this breed with the folds of skin around the nose, I just love this model!

The pug is one of my favorites of this set for sure. I am partial, because I had a pug for many years, but this one has such perfect wrinkles. (I would love to see him NOT the color of a Cheeto, though that is what I've named him).

Quote :

And the little Yorkie, if I look past the basic painting I can see such a beautiful sculpt again, especially on such a small model! They must be very small considering how they compare to the pins- maybe an inch and a half or so?

I don't have one in front of me right now, but yes, a little over an inch. :)

Quote :

And that gorgeous Scottie too- again such a wonderful sculpt with that little bearded chin,

I wish the black models showed up a little better in the photo, they have such nice expressions, especially the dachshund.

Quote :

and that delightful Pomeranian- I love this model, from some angles especially it looks just how the breed does!
The mystery Westie has so much character too- and would also look lovely repainted as a Cairn- he has a very similar face to this breed!

I agree, he does look very like a Cairn!

Quote :

Another of my favourites has to be that little Rough Collie too- I can never have enough collies and this one really brings out the sweet nature of this breed! Even if the legs are a little thick and it's lacking the ruff around the neck slightly, it's these things that make it look so similar to how this breed looks as a puppy, and I'm sure it would look lovely with a few adjustments to the colour of its coat!

I remembered you said you a partial to the collies and wondered what you would think of this little one. You're right, such short, chunky little legs!   They did best in my opinion on the toy and small terrier breeds, it seems harder to get the large breeds to work on the scale.

Quote :

The poodle's texture is very nice- and sculpted just how they are clipped! The Alaskan Malamute's interesting too- it seems much more basic than the others and doesn't really represent the breed- maybe because of the solid black painting!

I certainly agree, he stands out of the crowd as the least-nice, unfortunately. So stiff and without breed details. Almost looks like a poor attempt at a wolf instead of a malamute. Maybe a new paint job would help . . . (I still love him of course, don't tell him I said that   )

Quote :

But it's really interesting how they chose to make a Brittany over other Spaniel breeds- again I think painted differently this wonderfully sweet dog would look less like a Bulldog breed and more like a Brittany!

He seems far too wrinkly for a Brittany, and with such a long tail! Maybe the mold was created in a country that doesn't dock tails, so that could explain that, but to me he looks more like some kind of mastiff breed or something.

Quote :

And a darling Dachshund and Maltese to finish off, I love how they have done the flowing coat of the Maltese, with all the hair falling in the right directions!

The Maltese has the sweetest face of the whole set, I think, and looks the friendliest. :)

Quote :

Thank you so much for all these photos- it's always wonderful when new dogs are added to TAW! Hopefully maybe in the future we will be able to solve the mystery of the numbers too, and find that Lhasa Apso!
Sorry for such a long message- I can never stop talking on STS dog topics!    [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thanks so much for your thoughts! No such thing as too long of a message, it's fun to hear what you think about them!

Thank you so much for the information on the Pom, interesting that they are separate colours! And yes, these dogs definitely seem to have a strange orange colour!
And definitely, if I do buy the dogs I'd love to help by sharing the numbers- it really is such a mystery, but maybe the seller has just mixed up the sets!
How wonderful that you had a Pug- these dogs have such lovely personalities! And Cheeto is a great name, but I agree that repainted in pug colours this model would be perfect!
And I agree too, it must be much harder to represent larger breeds at smaller scales- they did the toy breeds beautifully though!
Definitely- repaint that Malamute would help! But no, we won't tell him, because he is still lovely as he is!
Ohh yes! The Maltese has a gorgeous face!
There is so much to love about this unique set of dogs- I love them because at a first glance they seem fairly simple, but when I actually look at them I realise how well they have captured most of the breeds!

Great topic,I have a number of these dogs and didn't know they were from this brand!

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

I didn't know my pug was from this brand, excellent topic! The models are quite nice, I really need that maltese.

Taos wrote:

Great topic,I have a number of these dogs and didn't know they were from this brand!

If your models are different in any way from these, color or number, I'd at least be interested to know more! :)

Sorry for not quoting you, it is easier for me like that because I have 11 dogs to put on TAW.
First, markings are not part of the mould, they can be added later.How do I know it? Because I used to receive factory samples from Mojö Fun and once I commented with the manager that it was interesting that they were not even marked withthe brand name. So, he told me that they could put the markings on my figures if i wanted. Of course I didn't want.
Thanks for all information, it was easier if your Dachshund was the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] instead. So, could you check again your Pomeranian? Isn't it [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] instead?
Well, the two sets story can explain why you have two [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and two [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].
@Whitelighteningwolf is the real expert about these brands, I am not even sure I have a single Club Earth model.
I will list them in a gallery, without numbers but in each page I will put the numbers we know for each model.
If [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] finds his models, maybe he can give us some light about the numbers or maybe we will find them useless.

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

I didn't know my pug was from this brand, excellent topic! The models are quite nice, I really need that maltese.

Paige, can you check the number of your Pug? Is it # 2 too?

I will check my models tomorrow and see what I have got number wise!

Hurray, the page for these little dogs is now on TAW! Check here!

Taos wrote:

I will check my models tomorrow and see what I have got number wise!

Thanks Taylor and if you have the missing Lhaso Apso, the gallery above on TAW can be completed. Please check also the breed marked on this model too.

Roger wrote:

Hurray, the page for these little dogs is now on TAW!

It looks so good! I have to admit, it is very satisfying how organized the site is. I love categorizing things.

I wish the Pomeranian was 8 or 9! Unfortunately he is a very clear 6!

Quote :

First, markings are not part of the mould, they can be added later.How do I know it? Because I used to receive factory samples from Mojö Fun and once I commented with the manager that it was interesting that they were not even marked withthe brand name. So, he told me that they could put the markings on my figures if i wanted. :Laughing: Of course I didn't want.

I had no idea the stamp wasn't part of the mold! Fascinating! And also explains some things for me about how all these molds appear in so many places. Thank you for continuing to educate this beginner. :)

Here is mine, a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Number 3! So glad you shared! I love that the dogs appear to be absolutely bonkers with their numbers.

Thanks Paige, I added your pug too. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] is not problematic, we still can put them in two sets only. I always believe these numbers are useful. Though, the most important is that we have almost the entire series listed. So, if some collector find one of these models, that collector will know which other figures are part of the series. Let's hope Taylor owns the Lhaso Apso.

Another pug, number 3, very interesting! There seems to be many mysteries with this series!

Here goes with the models I have.
My Yorkshire Terrier is marked number 2
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
My Maltese is marked number 8
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
My Poodle is marked number 5 and my Pomeranian is marked with number 6
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
My Scottish Terrier is marked number 1
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I also have the Brittany/St Bernard but sadly not the Lhasa Apso.

Thanks Taylor, interesting that you have 6 models. Considering your Brittany is [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and your figures belong to the same set. I can sort all of them in two sets. None of the numbers is used for more than two different breeds. It looks already a tradition, when we try to group figures in this kind of sets, there is often a figure that seems to be rarer than the others.

Wonderful dogs Taylor, a joy to see them all again!