To celebrate fifty years as mascot for the Dulux paint brand, the faithful Dulux dog returns to our screens.
So mum was busy watching a Phil Collins concert on TV…(well, she is that age) and during the ad break suddenly exclaimed; “The Dulux dog is back”.
The ad is for a paint company and both Buster and I know that dogs and paint are generally not a good combination.
However, fifty years ago, the Dulux paint company decided that their advertisements needed to be a bit more appealing and like all good advertising campaigns, saw the sense in using one of our kind for a warmer, friendlier approach. Can’t argue with that!
They chose a fluffy Old English Sheepdog and it was not long before the Dulux name stuck fast and to this day, people will often refer to this breed as “Dulux dogs”.
Anyway, if that was fifty human years ago and a human year is equivalent to seven dog years, then that dog is on something we want or there has been more than one dog. We set out to discover the truth.
15 Dulux dogs
The first Dulux dog was called Shepton Dash and appeared on the screens in 1961. The advertisements continued until 1996, featuring a total of 14 sheepdogs.
To make sure that the dogs looked as if it were the same one, they had been carefully chosen from a particular family line of Pedigree dogs who, all apart from Shepton Dash had been breed champions, with five of them winning “Best in Show” award.
New Dulux Advertisement
The new Dulux advert is set to the music of “The Littlest Hobo” and follows the dog around the UK, helping people with their decorating. I found the ad on YouTube.
This new Dulux dog will make 15 dogs in total that have appeared on TV and of course their pictures are on all the paint pots too. My mum just painted the lounge last week so Buster went to check the paint pots and sure enough, the dogs are on every one.
More information
The Kennel Club – Find out more about the Old English Sheepdog breed.