Why were they called wally dogs?

The term refers to the earthenware spaniel figures that became ubiquitous in British homes during the Victorian period. They earned the nickname from Scottish vernacular speech for china or pottery. Households displayed them on mantelpieces facing inward toward each other as a sign of domestic fidelity.

How do you display them?

Traditional placement involves setting a pair at either end of a mantelpiece or fireplace shelf. They should face inward toward the centre of the display. Other owners place them on side tables, bookshelves, or cabinets where the painted details remain visible.

How do you tell periods apart?

Dating relies on stylistic shifts in the modelling, the type of glaze, and the intensity of the painting. Pieces from eighteen sixty often feature copper lustre or bright white bodies with gilt. Later Victorian examples from the end of the century introduce variations in size and occasional glass eyes, shifting the visual character of the pottery.