A lifelong collection of 19th century Victorian Staffordshire Dogs will be displayed at the Garden City Public Library during the month of July. Breeds from Afghans and Border Collies through to Salukis and Whippets will be included. In fact, most of the canine examples featured in the famous reference A-Z of Staffordshire Dogs are represented in the exhibit.

The Cavalier spaniel "Dash" who belonged to Queen Victoria, before she was crowned and before she married Prince Albert, will be featured. Little Dash was the subject of paintings, prints, needlepoints and pottery portraits and is almost always portrayed on a red velvet cushion with gold embroidery.

Earthenware figures were manufactured in the Staffordshire region of England and reached a peak of popularity in the 1850s and 60s. Reasonably priced they were sold to the middle classes at fairs, entertainment events, and on the streets.

This collection is on loan by Elinor Penna, senior member of the Garden City Country Club Women's golf team.