d04271r: America’s favorite Cocker Spaniel BUTCH
Staehle was one of America's most popular illustrators from the late 1930s into the
mid-1960s.
The artist's career focus changed dramatically when the Saturday Evening Post asked him to
illustrate a dog cover for the magazine.
Staehle's first Post cover appeared on the February 19, 1944 issue and showed a black and
white Cocker Spaniel named "Butch" chewing up a book of wartime rationing
stamps. The magazines sold out quickly and mail poured in to defend the mischievous puppy;
some folks even sent rationing stamps to replace those Butch had appeared to destroy.
Staehle used different Cocker puppy models for his first few Post covers, but realizing
his illustrated Butch's growing popularity, he soon purchased his own puppy born in June
1944. Staehle registered the puppy with the American Kennel Club as "Cover Boy
Butch," and thus began a successful partnership that was to run for nearly 20 years.
Butch Junior, born in November 1950, assumed modeling duties for Staehle when he was old
enough.