After the bears, the dogs represents the next largest group currently within the Beanie Babies Collection. With the May 11, 1997 introduction of Dotty, the Dalmatian, style # 4100, (who replaced Sparky the Dalmatian, style # 4100); Pugsly, the Pug, style # 4053, Tuffy the brown nappy Terrier, style # 4108, there are a total of 13 dogs all but 3 are available. Both Spot the Dogs and Sparky have been retired. As we all know, Spot the Dog without the black spot on his back was changed to include the semi-circle spot. He is still very sought after and very rare. Collectors, in November 1997,are paying as high as $2,000.00 for this authentic mint Spot with the authentic mint tags!!!! My husband paid $800.00 in 1996 for the infamous Spotless Spot for my birthday present. He was the last Beanie I needed, at the time, to complete my very special Beanie Baby Collection. This year I asked him to buy me 2 beautiful mirrored curio cabinets for our treasures! The original curio has become too small and the Beanies are not happy with their over crowded existence.

In mid 1994, Bones, style # 4001 was introduced. Weenie, style # 4013, was introduced in January 1996. The two little brown dogs originally came with the third generation Ty tags and now the fourth generation poem tags. I have been asked many times and yes I do collect the Beanies with the different tag variations. I love the poems.

Apparently the Ty Company decided that there were too few dogs represented in the collection. In mid 1996, they introduced four new adorable dogs along with the introduction of the new fourth generation (poem) Ty tags. This tag also included the official Ty website - http://.www.ty.com. All four of these creations have only the current poem tags with their birthdates. They are Rover, the red dog, style # 4101; Wrinkles, the bulldog, style # 4103; Sparky, the dalmatian, style # 4100; and Scotty the black nappy terrier, style # 4102.

On January 1, 1997, Ty introduced on their web site: Bernie the St. Bernard, style # 4109; and Doby the doberman pinscher, style # 4110. I personally think Doby should have been named "Rocky the rottweiler".

On May 11, 1997, (Mother's Day) Ty introduced on their web site: Dotty, the dalmation, style # 4100, who shares the same style # with Sparky. The only difference in the two dalmatians is Dotty acquired black ears and tail! Their birthdates and poems are different. Pugsly the pug, style # 4106; and TUFFY, the brown nappy terrier, style # 4108. (The original Tuffy released all had capital letters on their Ty tags). Claude the tie-dye crab, style # 4083, also originally was released with capital CLAUDE letters on his Ty tag too!!!!

Garcia says "Click on one of us beanies to E-mail Beanie Phenomenon!" We welcome your comments , although regretfully, we cannot answer all Questions sent in.