Iconic Dog Breed Seen On HMV Logo Is On The Brink Of Extinction

Probably one of the most recognized trademarks is the image of a dog sitting and staring into a gramophone. It has become the symbol for many record labels, including RCA Records, Deutsche Grammophon and, of course, HMV.

The image came from a painting by Francis Barraud in 1898, which illustrated his brother’s pet, Nipper, peering curiously into the horn of the gramophone. The picture was named His Master’s Voice, and its breed is considered to be a Smooth Fox Terrier.

According to Yahoo, Nipper got its name from its tendency to bite people’s legs gently. He died in 1895 and was buried at Clarence Street in Kingston upon Thames. Currently, a bank now stands on the street, but a plaque dedicated to the iconic canine lies in his memory.

Unbeknownst to the painter or its owner, this dog would go on to represent the music industry. The report posits that the popularity and use of Nipper in advertising came from a sudden influx of Smooth Fox Terrier owners in the 20th century. And for a short time, it became one of the most popular breeds in the UK. But, come 2022, there were only 90 Smooth Fox Terrier puppies registered in the Kennel Club—a 97% decline after its boom a century prior. 

In 1990, the Nipper mascot got a “son” named Chipper, that has carried on his legacy. There’s no real evidence as to why the HMV breed is dying out, but whatever it is, the curtain will never really close on the impact it has made.

[via Boing Boing and Yahoo, image via Francis Barraud / Wikimedia Common (public domain)]