This cast was shown by Barbezat & Co. at the London 1862 International Exhibition together with his companion dog (8125-1862). The Barbezat foundry, established in 1836, produced 'ornamental works, vases and statues for houses, gardens and churches'. Their products were shown not in the sculpture section but in the category of 'Iron and General Hardware' together with metalwork and bronzes by Barbédienne, Mène and others. The cast bears the initials A.J., probably for Alfred Jacquemart, who was responsible for the model. The donors were lamp manufacturers, who exhibited in the same section.

Running or fighting dogs are common among the small-scale bronze groups produced by Barye, Fremiet and others. Unlike the heroic, active creatures appropriate to sculpture portraying romantic conflict, Barbezat's dogs belong to a more docile, domestic breed and were probably produced to decorate gardens. The various types of canine statuary form a distinctive class of sculpture which even included monuments to cherished pets.