Tamed Wolf / Dog
min040 · Minecraft
Minecraft Original · First released in 2014 as part of the initial wave of minifigure-scale Minecraft sets. It represented a major evolution from the earlier Micro World micro-figures.
Figure ID
min040
Theme
Minecraft
Year Released
First released in 2014 as part of the initial wave of minifigure-scale Minecraft sets. It represented a major evolution from the earlier Micro World micro-figures.
Rarity
Uncommon; while it appears in several sets, the specific printed wolf head is unique to this animal character and often lost by younger collectors.
Head
Square 1x1 brick with printed tamed wolf face. Features white and grey highlights, pixelated brown eyes, and a white snout detail. Traditional 'wolf' ears are hinted at through the top pixel printing.
Torso
Light Bluish Gray torso with pixelated coat pattern details including a few darker grey spots. It features the distinctive red collar printing around the neck area, indicating it is 'tamed'.
Legs
Standard Light Bluish Gray short legs (non-posability is typical for this scale of Minecraft animal/mobs), though some versions use the 1x2 brick/plate configuration to represent the four-legged stance.
Accessories
Usually none included with the figure itself, though often accompanied by a bone element (item 28573) in sets to represent the taming item.
Color Scheme
Primary Light Bluish Gray with accents of Dark Bluish Gray, White, and a signature Red collar. Black and Brown are used for the eye and nose pixels.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the front of the head and the collar/chest area of the torso. The printing is strictly geometric to adhere to the Minecraft 'pixel' aesthetic.
Variants
There are 'Untamed' versions without the red collar (min041) and an 'Angry' version with red eyes. This specific figure is the 'Tamed' variant.
Condition Notes
The 1x1 printed head is prone to lost clutch power over time. The edges of the square head are high-wear points where printing can chip if tossed in bins with other bricks.
Estimated Value
Used: $3.00 - $5.00 USD; New/Mint: $7.00 - $10.00 USD. Prices are stable due to the popularity of the Minecraft theme.
Price (New)
N/A (Included in sets ranging from $19.99 to $100.00 retail). It was never sold as a standalone polybag.
Compatible Sets
21114 The Farm, 21121 The Desert Outpost, 21127 The Fortress, 21144 The Farm Cottage, 21153 The Wool Farm.
Character Background
Based on the Wolf mob from the Minecraft video game. Wolves are neutral mobs that can be tamed by the player using bones, at which point they gain a red collar and follow/protect the player.
Design Notes
LEGO used a standard 1x1 brick mold for the head rather than a custom animal mold to maintain the blocky integrity of the source material. This figure is iconic for its minimalist translation of digital pixels to physical plastic.
Similar Minifigures
Minecraft Cat (Ocelot), Minecraft Fox, and the untamed version of the Minecraft Wolf.
Collectibility
Moderate. It is a staple for any Minecraft enthusiast's 'Overworld' display but is not considered a high-value 'grail' piece.
History
Introduced when LEGO transitioned Minecraft from the 'Micro World' (LEGO Ideas) format to the standard minifigure scale in 2014. It has remained largely unchanged in design for nearly a decade.
Interesting Facts
Despite being an animal, it uses standard minifigure torso and legs to stay in scale with Steve and Alex, making it one of the few 'anthropomorphic' animal builds in early Minecraft sets.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a grassy 'Plains' biome MOC alongside a Steve or Alex minifigure to show the tamed bond. Ensure it is placed on a green baseplate (Color 37) for environment accuracy.
Modification Potential
The red collar can be 'dyed' by collectors using a permanent marker or custom decals to match the in-game ability to change collar colors.
Overall Assessment
A faithful and charming recreation of a beloved game mechanic. It is durable, recognizable, and essential for any LEGO Minecraft collection.