Animal Pitchers

An animal jug is a jug with a figurative shape: the whole jug is formed like an animal, from head to tail, instead of having an animal motif painted on the side. At Dims Studio you'll find a wide range of animal jugs in stoneware and ceramic, from Quail's handmade figure jugs shaped like goats, tigers and owls to Italian fish jugs from Ceramiche F.L. Orgia and colourful milk jugs from Rice. In this guide you'll get an overview of types, materials, sizes and brands, so you can find the jug that suits your kitchen, your breakfast table or your next gift.

What is an animal jug?

An animal jug is a jug where the shape itself is an animal. The handle can be a tail, the spout can be an animal's mouth or beak, and the lid can be the animal's ears or back. That makes the jug more than a useful object: it's a small sculpture that lives on the kitchen counter, even when it isn't being used. In our range, the animals span from classic farmyard animals like cow, goat and goose to more surprising figures such as fox, owl, puffin and zebra.

Unlike an ordinary jug with a printed or painted animal motif, a figurative animal jug is shaped in the material itself, usually stoneware or ceramic, and is therefore handmade and unique from jug to jug. You can pair it with other ceramic jugs or let it stand alone as an eye-catcher in the kitchen.

Types of animal jugs: farmyard animals, wild animals and fish

Animal jugs can broadly be grouped by which animal they represent. This shapes both the look and the size, and whether the jug is mainly for display or also used in the kitchen.

Cow jug and milk jug

The cow jug is a classic among animal jugs and appears as a milk jug in several colours. From Quail you'll find a small stoneware cow jug, and from Rice you'll find both a pink and a brown ceramic cow milk jug. The shape stays true to the cow's own anatomy, with the head as the handle and the mouth as the spout, so the jug is both fun to look at and works for cream or milk at breakfast. See the full range of ceramic jugs.

Farmyard animals: goat, goose, donkey and duck

Besides the cow, Quail has a number of other farmyard animals in its jug series: a goat jug, a goose jug, a donkey jug and a duck jug, all in stoneware with the jug's handle shaped as the tail. What they have in common is the soft, handmade finish and the muted, earthy colours, which make them easy to combine with other stoneware on the table.

Wild animals: tiger, leopard, fox, hare, lion and wolf

If you have an eye for wild animals, Quail offers a tiger jug in two sizes, as well as a leopard jug, a fox jug, a hare jug and a lion jug, all in stoneware with hand-painted details. The wild animals typically have stronger patterns and colours than the farmyard animals, and they work well as a single eye-catcher among calmer jugs. Also take a look at our ceramic jugs for more colourful options.

Fish jugs and sea creatures

From the Italian workshop Ceramiche F.L. Orgia comes a series of fish jugs in ceramic, hand-painted in fresh rainbow colours, along with a jug shaped like a seahorse. The jugs are larger than most of Quail's figures and work well as a visible water jug or as a decorative flower jug. See more in our collection of fish jugs.

Cats, owls and birds

For those who prefer softer, rounder shapes, Quail has a squash cat jug and a Millie cat jug, both in stoneware with a light, curved look. There's also a small-format owl jug, a ceramic swan jug from Rice and a puffin jug from Quail. Bloomingville contributes a Missy teapot shaped like an animal, designed specifically for tea.

Type	Examples	Material	Best for
Cow jug	Cow jug, pink and brown cow milk jug	Stoneware and ceramic	Milk and cream at the breakfast table
Farmyard animals	Goat jug, goose jug, donkey jug, duck jug	Stoneware	Everyday coffee and tea table
Wild animals	Tiger jug, leopard jug, fox jug, hare jug, lion jug	Stoneware	A single colourful eye-catcher
Fish and sea creatures	Fish jug, seahorse jug	Ceramic	Water and flowers
Cats, owls and birds	Squash cat jug, Millie cat jug, owl jug, swan jug	Stoneware and ceramic	A soft, curved look

Materials: stoneware and ceramic

Most of our animal jugs are made in either stoneware or ceramic. Both materials are fired clay, but they differ in firing, strength and finish, which affects how you use and care for the jug.

Stoneware

Stoneware is fired at a high temperature, which makes it dense, durable and resistant to everyday knocks. The majority of Quail's animal jugs are in stoneware, handmade and hand-painted, so there can be natural variations in colour and glaze from jug to jug, as part of the handmade look. Stoneware handles everyday use well, but should be hand-washed unless stated otherwise on the product.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a broader term for fired clay that is often glazed to give a smooth, shiny surface. The Italian fish jugs from Ceramiche F.L. Orgia and the milk jugs from Rice are ceramic, with a fine, glazed finish that highlights the bright colours in the patterns. Ceramic is easy to clean, but should, like stoneware, be handled with care, as it can break if dropped or knocked.

How to care for your animal jug

• Hand-wash the jug in lukewarm water with mild soap, unless stated otherwise on the product.
• Avoid putting a cold jug straight from the fridge into a hot dishwasher, as temperature swings can scratch the glaze or, in rare cases, cause cracks.
• Dry the jug immediately after washing, so the glaze keeps its shine.
• Place the jug somewhere it won't easily tip over or get knocked, especially the more sculptural figures with a narrow base.

Animal jug for the kitchen, the breakfast table and as decoration

An animal jug can be used in several ways, depending on which animal and size you choose.

For the breakfast table

The smaller jugs, such as Quail's goat jug, donkey jug or Rice's cow milk jug, are perfect for milk or cream at the breakfast table. They're easy to hold and pour from, while adding a fun element to the breakfast table that both children and adults can enjoy.

As decoration in the kitchen

The larger jugs, such as the fish jugs from Ceramiche F.L. Orgia or the large farmyard animals from Quail, work well as a fixed eye-catcher on the kitchen counter or open shelves, even when not in use. Combine several animals in a row for a cohesive look, or let a single jug stand as the only pop of colour among neutral bowls and platters. Also see our ceramic jugs to add more colours.

As a flower vase

Because many of the larger animal jugs have an open spout, they can also be used as a vase for a single branch or a small bouquet. The fish jugs and the large farmyard animals from Quail are particularly suited to this, as their wider opening gives room for stems.

As a gift

An animal jug is an easily recognisable gift, because it's fun to unwrap and useful at the same time. Choose a smaller jug for a hostess gift or a larger, more striking figure for a birthday. See more ideas under small jugs and hostess gifts.

Sizes: small and large

Our animal jugs roughly fall into two sizes, which appear in the product names: small and large. That's a good guide when deciding whether the jug is meant for everyday use at the table or mainly for display.

Size	Examples	Suited for
Small jug	Cow jug, mouse jug, tiger jug (small), giraffe jug, owl jug, hare jug	Cream and milk at the table, everyday use
Large jug	Zebra jug, tiger jug (large), duck jug, goose jug, fish jugs, seahorse jug	Water, flowers and as an eye-catcher on the table

The brands behind our animal jugs

We've gathered animal jugs from brands that each have their own expression and craft.

Quail

Quail is the brand that makes up most of our range of animal jugs. The British brand is known for handmade stoneware figures with a playful, artistic look, where each animal is shaped with clear character, from the Swaledale sheep to the cunning fox. All jugs from Quail are hand-painted, meaning there can be small variations from piece to piece.

Ceramiche F.L. Orgia

Ceramiche F.L. Orgia is an Italian ceramics workshop behind our fish jugs and seahorse jug. The jugs are hand-painted ceramic in lively rainbow colours with a maritime theme, which suits a kitchen with a focus on colour and craft.

Rice

The Danish brand Rice is known for colourful, playful design for the home. Their animal jugs, such as the cow milk jug and the swan jug, are ceramic and come in several fresh colours that match Rice's wider universe of bowls, plates and storage.

Bloomingville

Bloomingville adds to the range with an animal-shaped teapot, Missy, in stoneware. The jug belongs to the Bloomingville house and carries the same calm, Nordic design language found throughout the brand's other ceramics.

Brand	Characteristics	Best for
Quail	Handmade stoneware figures with clear animal character	The wide range of animals, collector's joy
Ceramiche F.L. Orgia	Italian ceramics in rainbow colours	Water, flowers and a colourful eye-catcher
Rice	Colourful Danish ceramics	The breakfast table and milk for coffee
Bloomingville	Calm, Nordic design language	A teapot with an animal motif

The right animal jug for your needs: decision guide

If you're still unsure which jug to choose, you can base your decision on how it will be used.

Situation	Our recommendation
You want a jug for everyday use at the breakfast table	A small cow jug or goat jug from Quail or Rice
You want a colourful eye-catcher on the kitchen counter	A fish jug from Ceramiche F.L. Orgia or a tiger jug from Quail
The jug should also work as a vase	A large jug with a wide opening, for example a fish jug or a goose jug
You need an easily recognisable gift	A small stoneware animal jug from Quail
You collect figures and want something unique	A hand-painted stoneware jug from Quail, where every piece is unique
You want a calm, Nordic look	The Missy teapot from Bloomingville

How to choose between several animals

Start by considering the room the jug will be placed in. If you want the jug to be part of the breakfast table's tableware, the smaller and more neutral farmyard animals make good sense. If, on the other hand, it should be a standalone eye-catcher on an open shelf or side table, you can go for one of the more colourful, wild animals, such as the tiger, the leopard or the fish jug.

Frequently asked questions about animal jugs

What is an animal jug?

An animal jug is a jug where the shape itself is an animal, from head to tail. The handle, the spout and often the lid are shaped to fit the animal's body, which turns the jug into a small sculpture that can also be used for liquids.

Can you use an animal jug for hot drinks?

It depends on the individual jug and its material. Stoneware and ceramic can generally withstand hot drinks like tea and coffee, but always follow any washing and use instructions on the specific product, as the glaze and finish can vary from jug to jug.

Which material is best, stoneware or ceramic?

Both materials are fired clay and durable in everyday use. Stoneware is fired at a higher temperature and is therefore especially dense and robust, while ceramic often has a more glazed, glossy finish. The choice mostly comes down to look: stoneware gives an earthy, handmade feel, while ceramic gives brighter colours and a smoother surface.

Can animal jugs be washed in the dishwasher?

We recommend hand-washing animal jugs in lukewarm water with mild soap, unless stated otherwise on the individual product. Hand-washing best protects the glaze and the hand-painted details.

Why are there colour differences on jugs with the same motif?

Many of our animal jugs, especially from Quail, are handmade and hand-painted. This means there can be natural variations in colour, glaze and brushstrokes from jug to jug, which is part of the handmade look rather than a flaw.

Can an animal jug be used as a vase?

Yes, especially the larger jugs with a wide opening, such as the fish jugs from Ceramiche F.L. Orgia or the larger farmyard animals from Quail, work well as a vase for a single branch or a small bouquet.

Which animal jug is suitable as a gift?

The smaller jugs, for example a cow, goat or hare model from Quail, are easy to wrap and make a great personal hostess or birthday gift. See more suggestions under small jugs.

Are animal jugs only for decoration?

No. Most of our animal jugs can be used for milk, cream or water at the table, while also working as a decorative detail when not in use.

What's the difference between an animal jug and an ordinary milk jug?

An ordinary milk jug typically has a simple, round or oval shape without figurative details. An animal jug is shaped so the whole jug resembles an animal, with the handle and spout adapted to the animal's body, making it an eye-catcher in its own right.

Where do the jugs come from?

Our animal jugs come from several brands, each with their own craft: Quail from the UK is behind the large stoneware series with farmyard and wild animals, while Ceramiche F.L. Orgia is an Italian ceramics workshop behind the fish jugs. Rice and Bloomingville contribute colourful and calm versions in ceramic and stoneware.