Pull along dog toy » The Memory Box Project

Description:

The American company was founded in 1930 by Herman Fisher and Irving Price – and they chiefly designed and manufactured toys for young children.

This particular toy – Little Snoopy – first appeared in the 1960’s. It is a wooden 3D model of a brown and white beagle-type dog on red plastic wheels, designed to be pulled along by toddlers taking their first steps. The charm of the toy derives from a number of features built into its design: the wheels are slightly off-centre so that Snoopy wobbles as he moves along; his upright tail is made of a spring so that it too “wags” while being pulled along; there is a mechanism which produces a “yip yip” sound as if he is enjoying his walk; and this particular model features a yellow wooden slipper hanging off the pulling cord as if he has mischievously stolen one from his master/mistress and is running off with it.

His face has been painted so that he looks as if he is looking up toward his handler and smiling – making him particularly appealing to a child. The ears are also articulated so that they swing back and forth as he moves.

This model features the serial number 693 – which dates him to the early 1960’s. The more modern versions have replaced many of the wooden parts with plastic ones – and are missing the dangling slipper.

The Fisher Price Toy Company is still doing business today, and Little Snoopy is still one of its best sellers.

Key theme(s):

Childhood

More information:

Date	1960s, 1970s, 1980s
Material(s)	MetalPlasticWood
Item number	MBPO162

Questions to help you remember using this item

Do you remember ever having any "pull along" or "push along" toys when you were little?
Did you have any toys resembling dogs or cats - or other animals?

User Stories

I had a push along toy, rather than pull along when I was a child (1960s). It was a sturdy, furry terrier-type dog on a tubular metal frame, with a pushing bar. He was strong enough that you could actually stop pushing when you were tired and sit on his back for a rest.

My sister had the Little Snoopy pull along toy, and I vividly remember being dreadfully jealous that her dog made a noise, when mine didn’t. Hers also looked a lot cuter, with those big brown eyes and wobbly walk which made his tail wag. But although mine had a rather prickly coat, and a grumpy expression (a bit like a Schnautzer??) it was actually “rideable” – so I always felt my dog was best!