Today, many people associate the distinctive porcelain dogs with Fanø, where they can be seen standing in the windows of summer houses, gazing out towards the sea. Yet behind their innocent appearance lies a surprising and slightly cheeky story. In the 19th century, under the strict moral code of Victorian England, prostitutes were forbidden to accept direct payment for their services. To get around these rules, they devised a creative solution: placing small porcelain dogs in the window. When the dogs’ heads faced the street, it signalled that the woman was available. When the heads were turned inward, she was occupied. Customers — often sailors from all over the world — bought the dogs as “souvenirs” after their visits. The sailors took them home to their unsuspecting wives, and in this way the decorative figures spread across the globe. Over time, the dogs lost their risqué meaning and instead became sought-after collectors’ items, cherished for their charm and history — and today they are an iconic sight on Fanø.