What is the figurine that sat on fireplace mantle Little House Prairie?

The figurine that sat on the fireplace mantle in the Ingalls' home on Little House on the Prairie was a ceramic dog.

This is mentioned several times in the books, particularly in "Little Town on the Prairie". It's described as being white and having black spots. It's a bit of a running joke in the book that Pa would often sit on the mantle and talk to the dog, as if it was a real pet.

While it's never explicitly stated what kind of dog it is, it's probably safe to assume it was a common breed of the time, like a terrier or a spaniel.