Dexter Animal Polyester Door Stop - Brown

Meet Dexter, a dachshund door stop shaped from a mottled faux leather with a warm brown, worn-in look across his body. He has big floppy faux suede ears in a lighter tan, a pointed muzzle and two shiny beaded eyes set into his face. He is a novelty piece first and a working door stop second, which is exactly the point: something with a bit of character doing an everyday job. The outer is 100% polyester, and he is filled with a mix of polyester and sand, the sand giving him the weight he needs to sit firm against a swinging door rather than skidding across the floor.

Dexter is at home in a hallway holding the front door open on a breezy day, in a living room keeping the lounge door from banging, or in a bedroom or study where a draught keeps catching a door you would rather leave ajar. He suits a relaxed, characterful room and sits happily beside soft furnishings, on a floor or, as the photograph shows, propped on a chair or bench where he doubles as a bit of fun. Dog lovers tend to take to him straight away, and he makes an easy gift for anyone who likes a touch of novelty at home.

The body is stitched in panels, with the seams following the shape of the dog: along the back, down the legs and around the muzzle. The lighter faux suede ears are a separate contrast piece, and the beaded eyes are attached rather than printed on. Polyester wipes down more easily than a natural pile and does not absorb spills the way an untreated fabric would, so a passing mark comes off without much fuss. Because he is weighted with sand, he is heavier than his size suggests, so pick him up with both hands. Keep him as your doorway helper or let him sit out on show, whichever suits the room.

What is Dexter made of?

His outer is a mottled faux leather that is 100% polyester, with contrast faux suede ears in a lighter tan and attached shiny beaded eyes.

Why is he weighted, and how heavy is he?

He is filled with a mix of polyester and sand, the sand adding weight so he holds a door firmly. The record does not give a figure, so lift him with both hands.

Will he hold a heavy door open?

He is designed to hold a door open, and the sand filling gives him the weight to sit firm rather than slide across the floor.

Where does he work best?

A hallway, living room, bedroom or study, anywhere a door swings or a draught keeps catching one you would rather leave ajar.

Does he have to be used as a door stop?

Not at all. Plenty of people keep him out purely as a novelty piece, propped on a shelf, bench or chair as the photograph shows.