Middle Brother Rare Steiff Basset Hound Puppy Dog Two IDs

This little pup is rare. According to Pfeiffer he was made only from 1961 to 1963, and this was for the worldwide market. But he may be from a special U.S. edition that Steiff put out to test his popularity, as it did for the two sizes of sitting collie. Although Pfeiffer’s information about catalogue numbers and dates of production may be incomplete, it is safe to say that there were only three basset brothers in this design, and this is the middle brother.

For more information about his somewhat mysterious history, please read my description of his spectacular biggest brother, also hoping to be adopted.

While there may be some question as to exactly what article number was printed on his flag (it was either 3314,00 or, not mentioned in Pfeiffer, 3314,90), the “14” is a certainty. That number denotes Basset’s catalogued size in centimeters, measured to the top of his head. He is actually a tad smaller, measuring 13 centimeters, or 5 3/8 inches high.

Basset is in very good condition. He has beautiful coloring, with the exception of his face and the top of his head. You can see vestiges of the dark brown lines and freckles he once had, and I am guessing that he was once displayed facing a window, and the sun took away his more intense airbrushing. Interestingly, he retains some rose-colored airbrushing at the lower outsides of each eye and at his mouth. I am guessing that those, too, were once more intense. The rest of Basset’s body has very nice coloring, going from nearly white on his underside to dark brown at the at the tops and ends of his big floppy basset hound ears and across the vertical seam running down his back. His tail has a combination of airbrushed colors, starting from medium brown at its origin, leaving his back, to the same near white as his underside for the last half or so of its length.

Basset’s mohair coverage is full, with the exception of a teeny-tiny bare area that is hidden below his left ear when he looks straight ahead. If he turns his head to look to his right, you can see the bare area, which I point to with the arrow in my sixth image. If that is evidence of a moth, he must have decided he was not very hungry.

Basset’s green leather collar is original, and it is in like-new condition. His chest tag, protected from friction and wear by a grommet, is attached to his collar by a ring. In addition to having no damage around the hole because of the grommet, the tag is in near-pristine condition generally. There is a teeny-tiny area of wear in the upper surface of the paper; you can see the little white dot between the bear’s eyes, and there is an almost invisible brown vertical line to the right of the bear’s nose and mouth as you face the tag. The tag is crisp to the feel.

I can’t think of anything else to tell you, since I have given you lots of large and clear pictures. Of course, if you have a question, by all means, please write.

This rare sweetie will make a fabulous addition to your Steiff doggie collection, or if you are particularly fond of bassets, he should join your others. If you can part with him, he would make a fantastic gift for the Steiff or basset lover in your life. Check out his big brother too! It would be great if they stayed together.

WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ABOUT BASSET OR ANY OF MY OTHER STEIFF ITEMS, PLEASE BE SURE TO SEE THE ARTICLE I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT STEIFF ID FRAUD—INCLUDING COUNTERFEIT CHEST TAGS—(AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR COLLECTORS). YOU WILL FIND THE LINK ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF MY SHOP HOME PAGE UNDER “FAVORITE LINKS.” IF YOU HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IT RECENTLY, I UPDATED AND EXPANDED IT IN MARCH, 2023.