2024 is the best year yet for LEGO dogs of all shapes and sizes
There’s no doubt about it – 2024 has been the best year yet for LEGO dogs with a varied swathe of furry friends in all forms, states of life and outfits.
The new LEGO Ideas 21351 The Nightmare Before Christmas is the cherry on top of a standout year for LEGO dog elements. The project-turned-product includes a specialised piece for the ghostly Zero, but it’s far from the only unique LEGO dog element this year and there are still four months left.
In recent years, the scope of LEGO dogs has been expanded beyond German Shepherds to Huskies and Labradors and in 2024, the creative minds at the LEGO Group have been let off the proverbial leash.
Following the introduction of the Labrador element in 2021 as well as those for several other species in the years since, a new piece for guide dogs and other service dogs can be found throughout the LEGO City 2024 sets. This includes a guide dog in 60423 Downtown Streetcar and Station.
While 60292 Town Centre from 2021 is the first set to include a guide dog with the handle element, the 2024 model makes use of a combined dog and harness piece for increased accuracy. That same element appears in different functions in 60419 Police Prison Island and 60414 Fire Station with Fire Truck.
The number of dog species covered by LEGO pieces has also increased this year, now including the Afghan Hound from 71045 Series 25’s Pet Groomer. There’s also a Neapolitan Mastiff via Fang in LEGO Harry Potter’s 76428 Hagrid’s Hut: An Unexpected Visit.
Similar to the fictional Fang, Zero in 21351 The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the most unique LEGO dogs ever to be released. While Zero is a ghost, a distinctly more robotic LEGO dog was released earlier this year in 71046 Series 26 Space’s Retro Space Heroine. Keeping to space, LEGO Friends has a dog in a spacesuit as part of 42602 Space Research Rover, reusing an existing part.
While they’re not brand new and not strictly dogs, it’s also worth noting that LEGO Minecraft’s Wolf piece is finally back in the theme this year after its last appearance in 2020. You can find it in 21261 The Wolf Stronghold and 21253 The Animal Sanctuary.
Most LEGO dogs may walk on four legs, but we’d be remiss to not mention the two most interesting LEGO dogs released in 2024. LEGO Animal Crossing has brought back the concept of Fabuland, including new minifigures of both Isabelle and K.K. Slider. Anthropomorphic LEGO dogs are rare, but LEGO Animal Crossing has been a good source for them so far.
Those collecting the many LEGO dogs released this year and previously will want to add 21351 The Nightmare Before Christmas to their wishlist before the LEGO Ideas set’s launch next month. Click here to take a closer look at LEGO Zero in our in-depth review.
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Author Profile
- LEGO has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started when my brother passed down 7657 AT-ST to me. It’s guided me through my early years, through school and eventually through my degree in journalism. I still have all my collection proudly on display, including my many NINJAGO sets, my favourite of all the LEGO Group’s themes. Outside of Brick Fanatics I am an avid gamer and enjoy a good game of Dungeons & Dragons.
