Featured Dog ornament

Hello,
Found this little pup at an estate sale for a buck. I'd clean it up, a new ornament for the Christmas tree.
Upon paying, the woman working the sale practically made me feel like I was stealing it, saying "That piece was underpriced" and "someone made a mistake." I didn't argue, I just stood there with my dollar, which surprising she took.
I have to ask , is it special? It looks old, but I THINK it's painted plastic. I guess it could be a lightweight wood. I'm pretty sure the eyes are not glass. I don't see any mold lines. It's about 4.25 inches long by 4 inches tall. He has a metal ring in his back.
Any thoughts? Thanks

 

No squeeze, no give at all. It crossed my mind with paper mache over something harder. Is that a thing?
If it's a newer import, less that 25 years?

 

Here a larger version ...
https://pucesdoc.fr/boutique/vendus/jouet-ancien-chien-en-carton-bouilli-circa-1930/

The eyelet may have been an addition and it is a toy.

Others, closer in size ...
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/early-paper-mache-dog-90-c-b044701a9e
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/sculptures/carved-dog/id-f_521529/

 

Holy cow! Thanks so much guys!
Heck, I guess I did steal it!

 

Do not clean that with anything more than a soft brush.

 

The first link Roaring posted says "carton bouilli". The literal translation is 'boiled cardboard'. I don't know the English term, but the technique is different from papier maché.
Cardboard is boiled to become malleable so it can be put in a mold, in this case a dog-shaped mold. Unlike papier maché the cardboard stays in one piece and it dries under pressure, after which it can be painted.
To give you an idea, old suitcases were made the same way.

 

Amazing how these things still exist. Especially with people like me that want to give them a bath. Thanks girls

 

Yes, "carton bouilli" confused me because papier mache is in French already, so that wasn't it. I translated it to boiled cardboard as you did, but I'm thinking "what the heck is that?" So that's what they mean by "cardboard" suitcase? Learned my sumpin' new today!

 

This is when I wish my Pa was still around, he worked in the print and packaging trade! I think we called that compressed board.

 

The woman at the sale was right... whoever priced it made a mistake. And you benefited!