Pierre will be sold at The Cotswold Auction Company's next toys sale

A rare 20th Century papier-mâché bulldog called Pierre, which still has its original growling mechanism, is one of few to come up at auction in recent years.

The French Bulldog will feature at The Cotswold Auction Company's next toys sale which will take place on Tuesday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 26. 

Pierre, the papier-mâché French Bulldog (Image: The Cotswold Auction)

Pierre is estimated to sell for between £400 to £600 at The Cotswold Auction Company's Bankside Saleroom in Cirencester.

Papier-mâché French bulldogs, known colloquially as growlers, were originally created in France in the 1890s in homage to the breed.

Auctioneer Lindsey Braune said: “We were going to call him Winston, until we realised he’s French.

“He still growls when you pull on his lead, but his bark is worse than his bite. 

"We think he’s rather cute and feel sure he’ll win the hearts of buyers at auction.”

The bull dog figurine has a fine hair collar, a copy of the straw collars worn by French bulldogs to stop them getting their heads stuck in the openings to badgers’ dens.

Despite its age it is still in great condition and has its original lead, which, when pulled, causes Pierre to bare his teeth and growl. 

French bulldogs were hugely popular in high society during the early 20th century, in both France and the UK, and a variety of decorative items were produced celebrating the breed, including music boxes and porcelain figurines.

Their rarity is due largely to the material used, papier-mâché, which is easily damaged.