Definition:Hagen-Renaker

Hagen-Renaker dog figurines are produced by the only American manufacturer to specialize exclusively in miniature ceramic animals. Founded in Monrovia, California in 1945 by Maxine Renaker and her husband John, the studio became renowned for its ‘Designer Workshop’ and ‘Specialty’ lines — tiny, hand-painted pieces that achieve remarkable anatomical detail in a one-inch frame. Hagen-Renaker dogs are found in over 300 different breed and pose combinations. Because of their small size and fragility, vintage Hagen-Renaker pieces in truly mint condition — no chips, no repairs, vivid original paint — are significantly harder to find than their once-affordable price points might suggest. The studio continues operating today, making pre-1980 ‘vintage’ pieces particularly sought after.