Melissa & Doug Black Lab - Plush

As part of my job I visit schools to teach children about looking after dogs and staying safe around dogs (including greeting a dog appropriately and behaviour around dogs that are eating, in their bed, etc.). I had a border collie (of unknown brand!) helping me out, but poor Shep got a few holes in his belly and was bleeding polystyrene 'beans', plus was a bit bulky for getting on the bus, so he has now gone into retirement.Patch is the new pup, and is absolutely fantastic. My only concern is that being predominantly white he might get grubby, then I will have to test how well he washes up. But it is a very realistic Jack Russell size, shape and colour - he even has dark rings around his eyes - and I have been stopped and asked 'is that real?' even by adults - personally I think that, although realistic, it's still fairly obviously a toy! It has a very solidly stuffed body and a stiff wire frame, despite other reviews I find mine doesn't pose well and pings back into the standing shape but I am happy with that.If I'm nit picking one of the seams along a back paw wasn't finished properly, but it was such a tiny fault as to be unnoticeable.This is not really a toy to snuggle up in bed with, but if you are after a realistic looking toy dog you won't go far wrong with one of Melissa and Doug's.

My 8 year old daughter chose this when she wasn't allowed a real puppy for her birthday. I have to admit I fully expected him to be a bit rubbish but he's actually pretty great and the daughter loves him. It's not your average soft toy as it doesn't bend and can't really snuggle but it's a brilliant fake dog! He doesn't chew the furniture, doesn't need walking and he only eats pom poms so he's very cheap to run. He only needs the Amazon box for a bed too. I do think he is well made with nice sturdy legs and after 2 months of being taken all over the place and played with a lot he's still as good as new. I wouldn't recommend this as a normal cuddly toy but I really would if, like our 8 year old, you are looking for a fake dog that's realistic enough without being creepy.

I really love this. Being just a fraction smaller than life size, its still pretty big and I bought it as a laugh as it's a replica of our real dog.It's structured with a frame so does stand up on it's own, and it's really soft. We have it by the side of the sofa and occasionally i'll give it a bit of a stroke on the head; it's actually really therapeutic. Yes I am aware of how insane i'm becoming stroking a fake dog, but all in all it's quite nice. (And so the slow descent in to madness starts here....)We have a real, genuine and breathing black Labrador who is still confused by this. She bites it's ears, licks its face and occasionally gives a little growl because it doesn't react to her, but clearly she thinks enough that it could be real. The one we received has quite a fat neck and adopts more the shape of a sheep, it also looks at you from all angles in the room, but has such a characteristic face with a classic lab head tilt, the whole family adore it and it's been a fantastic purchase.

Weirdly lifelike! Purchased to be my demo dog in my puppy training classes, he's going to be a big help as he's a good size, stands up independently, and surprisingly has a very lifelike look so will do a great job of helping me to demonstrate various handling exercises etc.

Bought as gift, child loves it. Quite realistic, soft yet sturdy.

Good size Jack Rusell terrier soft toy.My grandson loves it

Lovely dogs , brought them for my nieces for an easter present . Bigger than I thought and packed with care.Beautiful and soft.

I just knew I had purchased a good looking 'doggie' for our godchild, when I saw a local pet shop displaying dog coats on this little fellow. (It still had it's Melissa & Doug label attached!)It was just so life like. The seven year old recipient was also delighted with her new 'pet' and has taken it around with her everywhere. Even her Mummy had trouble putting it down, it was so cute. I bought a puppy collar & lead for it, as I felt she would like that and made a blanket for it to sleep on, so I guess the new addition will be really 'at home' and taken care of, very well.So if you are thinking of a pet substitute for a child not allowed any, who might also have allergies, I would recommend this very highly. It is not all soft and mushy, but has a very lifelike quality that a child over five would enjoy.