Top Dog: America’s Renewed Love Affair with Pink Poodles – WorthPoint

I blame my grandparents. As a child, I grew up alongside their silver-haired miniature poodle named Daisy. I was obsessed with her. She was funny, sneezed on command, and loved to sleep under the covers by my feet when I came to visit. Over the years, my twin uncles also went through a variety of poodles—both miniature and standard. When one of said uncles passed away, my parents inherited his black poodle, Penny. Now, I own a silver poodle rescue named Lucy, who makes me laugh every day. It’s a full-circle moment.

OODLES OF POODLES

When I began collecting vintage in the early aughts, it’s only logical I would be drawn to mid-century poodle décor. In the 1950s and into the early 1960s, poodle mania gripped this nation with a fervor never before seen in the dog décor realm. And nothing was more ubiquitous than pink-colored poodles. Possibly because First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s favorite color was pink—it was a natural leap to dye one’s poodle pink, right?

As crazy as it seems today, owners proudly dyed their poodles various shades of the girly color—the perfect complement to similarly colored fashion, kitchens, bathrooms, or Cadillacs of the day. In New York City, pink poodles were even rented out to ladies hoping to make grand impressions walking or driving down the avenue. According to Elaine Butler, author of Poodle Collectibles of the 50s and 60s, poodles of any color and Parisienne themes in general resonated with housewives as they welcomed home servicemen from France at war’s end. Whatever the impetus, poodles dominated the decade like no other pooch prior. Sure, Scotties like FDR’s Fala reigned in the 1930s and cockers and dachshunds likewise in the 1940s, but could they walk on their hind legs around a circus ring?

BEST IN SHOW

To overstate how invasive the fluffy-haired breed was in all areas of American life would be impossible. They were literally everywhere! The “poodle cut” was a hot hairstyle sported by the likes of Lucille Ball and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower herself. Poodle-appliqued skirts—all the rage with teenage girls—moved beyond simple fashion to symbolize the era. Movie stars like Joan Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Grace Kelly all owned and posed for publicity shots with their finely manicured poodles.

Nowhere was the poodle aesthetic more dominant than in-home décor. Poodle images adorned everything from waste baskets and shower curtains to tablecloths and wallpaper. Other poodle products included toys, TV lamps, jewelry, towels, bookends, greeting cards, stuffed animals, hampers, aprons, cosmetics, sewing boxes, planters, trinket dishes, playing cards, clocks, lunch boxes, and even ashtrays. Spaghetti figurines—featuring noodle-like strings of ceramic on the head, tail, and ankles of each dog—decorated many a mantle and shelf.

IN THE PINK

These same mid-century pieces that command top dollar today, as younger generations—from Gen X to Gen Z and everyone in between—discover the beauty of vintage poodle goods. If the poodle is white, silver, brown, or apricot—great. If it’s pink, it adds more value and thus costs more. When I began collecting poodle décor, I didn’t care what color they were. I leaned toward white poodles initially before I caught the “pink” bug. There’s just something fun and whimsical about pink dogs, right?

One of my favorite art subjects is poodles of any color, but preferably pink. I’ve purchased poodle wall pockets, chalkware twin plaques—usually a male and a female—and poster prints. One of my favorite things to do is frame poodle wallpaper, as well as other ephemera like paper guest towels, cocktail napkins, greeting cards, matchbooks, and wrapping paper. Beyond art, a prized possession of mine is a poodle-covered hamper that depicts the dapper dogs smoking!

Stuffed animals are a favorites of many poodle collectors. Whether a cheap carnival prize or a Steiff, vintage stuffed poodles, circa 1950s–1970s, can be very expensive. As ever, if pink (and large)—plan on paying close to $100. The smaller poodles—around six inches high—are usually much more affordable. Other childhood favorites include squeeze, plastic-pull, and riding toys. Even Barbie had a poodle!

The best place to locate vintage poodle merchandise is definitely Etsy or eBay. I’ve bought the majority of my décor through these sites. I can’t tell you how many “vintage pink poodle” searches I’ve done over the last decade. I’ve also had luck at estate sales, but that is often hit or miss. Keep an eye out!

If you’re thinking of starting a poodle collection, the cheapest and easiest pieces to find are ceramic or chalkware figurines—they are everywhere. I’ve even found some at the local Goodwill. As you ease into this obsession, pink poodle textiles are a fun way to decorate a bathroom or kitchen. Pretty soon, you’ll be buying brooches, ceramic planters, lamps, and wall plaques. You know you’ve gone over to the dark side, however, when—as an adult—you start buying old stuffed animals in various conditions. I’ve been there. I have nine—including soap and toilet paper covers your grandma probably knitted.

Pick a color and dive unashamedly into the mid-century poodle revolution. Viva la Pompons!

Jenna Girard has been a freelance writer and copy editor for over 25 years, with a focus on feature writing. A lifelong collector of antiques and collectibles, Jenna has amassed a remarkable collection of entertainment ephemera, vintage fabrics, head vases, and mid-century art and home décor. After 16 years of living in Los Angeles and working in the entertainment industry, Jenna now resides in her home state of Michigan, where she continues to write/copy edit for LA-based media outlets.

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