Review - 41301 Puppy Parade
Posted by MeganL,
One of the subthemes for Friends this year is the puppy show. When I first saw the sets I have to admit I was a little disappointed in the content from a concept standpoint, as it seems that every year there are many Friends sets that feature either horses or puppies. However, I realize puppies and horses are probably “evergreen” concepts when it comes to little girls (and big girls – I own many of the aforementioned puppy sets!). One of this year’s sets, Puppy Parade, looks to offer something a little different – or at least something very cute.
The cover art for every set in this subtheme all features a dog collar/leash around the circumference of the box with a dog tag on the front left. The top right of the front of the box shows a championship ribbon with a paw print underneath the Friends. The set is shown off on a dirt road In a fairground type of atmosphere with fences and tents in the background. Apollo the dog is featured in the lower right, and he’s apparently the winner of the puppy championship. The back of the box shows insets of both the puppy limo and the championship podium, along with insets of all six dogs in the puppy theme: Scout, Tina, Apollo, Lara, Sky and Cookie. The box also helpfully lists in which set each puppy can be found.
Inside the box we find two numbered bags and a small instruction booklet. There are no stickers!
The figures in this set are Andrea and Apollo the dog. Both Andrea's torsos and legs have been seen only twice before, albeit in different sets. As it is, she is dressed for a day at the park with a sleeveless tank and vest with a coordinating blue skirt and flowery sandals. Andrea’s accessory is a microphone to be used during the award ceremony (in front of the TV camera, no doubt). Apollo the dog seems to be a darker Doberman/pug mix, and comes with a dog dish, dog bone and dog cookie. The dog cookie is a relatively new piece, a 1x1 round tile with a paw print, which I find absolutely adorable and has only been previously seen in 41124 Heartlake Puppy Daycare. Apollo is new to this set. He also comes with a bow but I refuse to take a picture with it on him.
First is the construction of a TV camera, which is quite effective representation thanks to the use of a motor 1x2x2/3 piece. The award podium is next with spots for the top three puppies with platforms decorated with gold stars. The top of the podium is decorated with the logo of the puppy championship, which pleasantly is a printed piece as opposed to a sticker. The championship trophy is a gold cup topped by - what else? - a dog bone.
The final part of the build is the puppy limo. The car itself is a pretty standard build. There’s a spot for Andrea to take the wheel, and the build is flexible enough that the steering wheel can be put on either the right or left hand side of the car – so the Puppy Parade could happen anywhere. Pink and purple 2x2 tiles are used for checkered carpeting inside the vehicle, with the purple tiles being jumpers so there are spots for Apollo and his accessories, or perhaps some of Apollo’s friends/competitors. The limo is open top which is only fitting for a parade vehicle, but let’s hope that it’s not raining.
The best part of the car are the little touches that have been added to the car to make it resemble a dog. On the front a 2x2 round tile is used (with part of it covered) to represent the nose, a sloped 1x2 piece in pink provides the tongue, and two curved pieces give us the ears.
On the back of the car, a curved piece attached to a ball joint provides the tail. The ball join allows for a full range of motion, so the tail can "wag".
Overall thoughts
The Friends theme always seem to have a subtheme that is very much on the girly side, and this Puppy subtheme seems to be it. I was a little skeptical about this subtheme as puppy themed sets have been done quite a few times before in the Friends theme. However, I find the Puppy Parade vehicle quite charming. I like that there is plenty of space inside the limo for multiple puppies and their accessories. The accents on the vehicle do convey accurately that we’re looking at a doggie car.
This a cute little set for the price (145 pieces, $14.99, £12.99, 14.99€), which would work well with past or current puppy sets.
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13 comments on this article
You know, I was looking at the box (when I saw it in the shops, the other day) for a long time before I realised, "oh, the limo actually looks like a dog." I thought it was cute.
Was going to pick this up the Lego store, but decided not to and bought the Valentine's Day set instead. Seeing it on display and the box just made me not want it for some reason.
When I get this I will undog the limo!
The Friends line is mirroring old Lego sets such as the Paradisa subtheme. They have also got: schools, vet hospitals, upcoming sport theme, a pizzeria and a supermarket.
Ha, this is awesome. Isn't that a ball joint attached to the tail?
I think that dog is a Rottweiler. Which is an interesting choice, since it is not a "cute little" breed, but that makes it more interesting to me.
Yeah, I'm confused about the ball joint too - did you build it with a ball joint for the photos then? :)
Will not be getting this set, but I like how the car looks. I noticed that there was hair in some of the photos.
^ I looked at the set instructions and the set is supposed to use a ball joint for the tail.
That car is going to be so popular with kids!
Oops - my mistake - the tail is built with a ball joint, and the tail is able to "wag". When I wrote the review I was going from notes that didn't reference the ball joint, so I assumed it was a hinge. I need to take a closer look at my pictures in the future!
Fixed in the review, now.
I'm a dog person, but I don't like how the Friends dog sets are focused on dog shows and pampering rather than normal pets. Might get it for animal figurine, minidoll and parts pack when on sale.
@Lordmoral - since Friends has a lot of regular life subjects, it's not surprising that there have been similar past sets. That's one reason I like the theme - CITY is mainly police,fire and some other vehicles.
PUPPIES!
Cool!! Just don't tell my sister...