LEGO 101 Dalmatians Set (43269) Review – Too Cute to Miss!

LEGO Lucky and Penny 101 Dalmatians Review – Worth Barking About?

If you're anything like me, you've probably imagined owning a dalmatian after watching Disney's 101 Dalmatians as a kid. Well, LEGO may not be offering you all 101 pups, but they’ve served up the next best thing — in brick form. Set 43269 features not one, but two Dalmatian sets: one for the kids (or kid-at-heart), and a more refined collector-style model for adult builders.

Let’s dive nose-first into these spotty, tail-wagging delights.

🐾 The Puppies: Lucky & Penny Set

First up is the smaller set, featuring Lucky and Penny, two adorably tiny pups built with kid-friendly simplicity — but don’t let the low piece count fool you. These pups may be pint-sized, but they’re packed with poseability and charm.

Build Details:

• 268 pieces
• Printed 2x2 tile eyes
• Some spots are stickers (on their backs), while others are printed
• Moveable heads, tails, and legs allow for tons of cute poses
• Collars, ear shapes, nose styles, and even tongue details vary between the two pups

And let’s not ignore the hidden MVP of the set — a mini old-school TV showing their favorite in-universe cartoon hero, Thunderbolt, the German Shepherd.

It’s very much in line with LEGO’s current “duo builds” strategy — similar to last year’s Simba pair. But what really sells this little set is its playfulness. The expressions are ridiculously good, and you could easily imagine someone (crazy or brilliant?) buying 51 of these to make all 101. Not saying you should, but hey, the math checks out.

🦴 The Big Pup: Display-Size Dalmatian

Here’s where things get serious — and seriously awesome. This larger display set (also part of 43269) takes one Dalmatian and scales it up beautifully. Think of it as Lucky, grown-up and fully modeled for your shelf.

Key Features:

• 1,700 pieces
• Priced at $150 (solid price-per-piece ratio)
• Designed by LEGO wizard Marcos Bessa
• Choose from 7 custom name tags
• Includes extra parts for ear/collar variations
• Reconfigurable from a playful pose to a standing pose

The build quality here is top-tier. The use of angles to achieve that puppy crouch is brilliant, and the “Transformers-style” conversion between poses is some next-level LEGO engineering. It’s not just display-worthy — it’s interactive in a quiet, sophisticated way.

Where the smaller set relies on articulation, the larger one’s magic is in its structure. It feels alive. The head, with those expressive eyes, grabs your attention. The pose radiates energy. And the use of standard bricks for spots (no stickers!) gives it a cleaner, more premium look.

🎨 Customization and Extra Parts

One of the standout features in both sets is customization. You’re given options to switch up:

• Ear colors (symmetrical, asymmetrical, or all-white)
• Name tags (7 to choose from)
• Tongue in or out (yep, that’s a thing)

Depending on the choices you make, you’ll end up with a fair bit of leftover pieces — mostly white or black — but honestly, it's a trade-off worth making for the flexibility.

🧱 Build Experience

For LEGO veterans, you’ll definitely get Simba vibes here — which makes sense, as both were designed by the same person. That said, the Dalmatian feels more refined, more intentional in its angles and finish.

The smaller set is an easy, breezy afternoon build with kids, while the adult model is satisfyingly complex without being frustrating. Those odd angles and multi-directional studs? They just click. Literally and emotionally.

✅ Pros:

• Expressive, detailed builds that capture the heart of the movie
• Great customization options with ear and name tag variations
• High-quality parts and excellent instructions
• Clever build techniques and satisfying transformations
• Charming enough for kids, detailed enough for adults

❌ Cons:

• Stickers on the smaller pups feel unnecessary
• Some inner structure pieces (like around the eyes) are visible
• Leftover pieces may feel like waste for more budget-conscious fans
• Larger model is display-only — no articulation aside from the tail

🏅 Land of Geek Rating:

8.5/10 – A joyful, well-designed LEGO set that blends Disney nostalgia with clever building techniques. Whether you’re a collector, a parent, or just someone who loves expressive animal builds, this set is a treat. It may not give you all 101 Dalmatians, but it comes with plenty of heart.

Stay paws-itively creative with more LEGO reviews and brick-built adventures at Land of Geek Magazine!

‍#LEGO43269 #101DalmatiansLEGO #LEGODisneyReview #MarcosBessaBuilds #BrickBuiltPuppies