There's a new category of collectible from Schleich — the American Frontier (Wild West). Like this Cowboy With Lasso, they're based on the United States' westward expansion of the 1800s. "Schleich figurines are meticulously crafted and hand-painted with attention to detail," said Katherine MacLean, sales and marketing coordinator for Schleich North America Inc. "They are realistic without a cartoon feel. The price points are reasonable. Schleich is becoming a brand." Launch date: September 2006.
— "We have a line of animals from Schleich that does extremely well. There are all types of animals from frogs to horses to elephants," said Holly Reay, owner of Kid’s Corner in Carmel, Ind.
— Bonnie Dodds, owner of Bonnie’s Toys and More in Iowa City, enthusiastically endorsed the brand in the miniature category by exclaiming, "Schleich everything!" sells well.
— Nine of 45 retailers we asked told TDmonthly that these figurines were popular with their customers.

New as of May 2006, this green steed is adorned with a detailed green coat bearing a bull’s golden horns. The knight riding atop the grey beast is dressed in armor and wears a bull’s horns atop his helmet.
— Debbie Scholl, owner of Fundamentally Toys in Houston, said that Schleich makes animal figures that fly off the shelves at her store.
— “Let's see, we sell a lot of the German company Schleich Knights — horses and medieval times-like stuff. They're just very real looking and very detailed,” said Char Mcaulay, manager of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo.
— Retailers consistently tell TDmonthly that knights are one of the few non-licensed character-driven product lines that sell well at their stores.

New for 2006, this lifelike white cub raises his paw and peers up as though gesturing to a fellow playmate. Five out of 24 retailers said these little critters were what kids craved.
— “The miniature animals from Schleich [are popular]. The kids enjoy them because they offer more imaginative play, there are no rules to follow,” said Warren Brown, owner of French’s Toy Shop Inc. in Concord, N.H.
— “They are fun, playful and realistic — the kids really seem to like them,” said Joanne Farrugia, owner of JaZams in Pennington, N.J.
— “There is a lot to choose from, we carry many choices and do more displays in the store on those,” said Steven Levy, owner of Toy City in Surry, N.H.

This mini horse knows how to look good, even on a windy day. Realistically detailed, he paws the ground as his tousled mane falls in his face.
— Schleich animals do great with girls 9 and up, said Cathy Albrow, owner of Creative Learning Toys in Grand Rapids, Mich.
— Schleich collectibles are in the top two picks for tween girls, agreed Breck Hewitt, co-owner of Dragon’s Toy Box in Seattle.
— The Andalusian Stallion is new for 2006.

Hand painted with nontoxic paint and crafted of high-quality vinyl, this dinosaur replica was launched in January 2006.
— “I should just open a store for those things,” said Warren Brown, owner of French’s Toy Shop in Concord, N.H., of Schleich figures.
— Michele and Ken Gietz, owners of Where’d You Get That? In Williamstown, Mass., said these are consistent good sellers.
— Jordan Walden, manager of Finegans Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore., said anything dinosaur is usually popular.

The 2006 Halloween Smurfs are everything you would least expect from a Smurf. They're scary, gruesome and definitely not cute ... or so they think. But Smurf lovers from kids to adults will want to add these spooky blues to their collections. Also in the series are a Ghost, Witch, Mummy, Vampire, Jack-o-Lantern, Creature and Death With Scythe.
— "We don't have much licensed product. If we do have anything, it would be Smurfs. We sell lots of Smurfs. We have a huge display," said Tristan Hewitt, manager of Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle.
— "I'd say we sell about 20 or 30 a month,” he noted.
— “Schleich is the original manufacturer of the Smurf figurines. 2008 will be the 50th anniversary of the Smurfs, and their birthday is being commemorated with a movie that is being produced by Paramount Pictures,” Katherine MacLean, sales and marketing coordinator for Schleich North America, told TDmonthly.

Jousting knights and horses need a place to gather, rest and strategize. This modular castle has two 16.5” towers with crenellations so archers can let fly and then hide, a drawbridge and an authentically medieval look. Made of textured plastic, the castle comes as an easily assembled kit. Towers and other pieces are available separately so that kids can add to the castle as their collection of knights and horses grows.
— Karen Barwick, owner of Boomerang Toys in New York City, expected the Knight’s Castle to be a great Christmas seller.
— The knights and horses that fit in this castle have been cited by almost every retailer surveyed as the hottest collectible item among boys ages 4 to 12.
— “The Knight’s Castle is a winner for us,” said Sam Armstrong, CEO of Schleich North America. “It’s a product everyone is chasing right now. We’re getting containers in every week, so it’s just a question of keeping of up with the demand.”

A knight in full armor sits on a horse wearing full tournament jousting regalia. Made on a scale of 1:20, this knight is approximately 5.2”. The realistic depiction reveals folds in the cloth cape and gives off a metallic sheen, though the figurine is made entirely of plastic.

Schleich prides itself on the realistic details of its figurines. This little Jackal scans the plains, its ears alert, eyes squinting against the sun. His tan, cream and gray coloring let him blend in with the tall grasses where he crouches for prey. He makes a nice addition to any kid´s jungle.

If the battle gets too fierce, soldiers can take flight on this winged legend. Kids who aren´t into prolonged battles may favor Schleich figures such as Pegasus, Unicorn and other animals — both zoological and mythological. Fairy and elf figurines are also available.

Ready, aim and duck! This little catapult lets kids besiege rival castles or their sisters´ doll collections. Authentically detailed, the catapult is part of Schleich´s new historical figurines line.

This PVC figurine features a camel and rider fitted for battle. The soldier rides softly, carrying a big stick. The camel is laden with supplies for a drawn-out conflict.