Petra (dog)

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Petra was a female mixed breed dog that appeared on the BBC children's programme Blue Peter between 1962 and 1977. She was the first Blue Peter pet, and remains one of the best known. She had several puppies, including Patch, who also became a Blue Peter pet, and who predeceased her. Petra lost her teeth at an early age, but this was not necessarily a bad thing; Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves apparently once said she was often bad-tempered and would "gum you to death" if she had the chance!

There is a bust of Petra in the Blue Peter garden. It originally stood in front of BBC Television Centre but was moved to the garden in 1984 due to redevelopment works.

During the 1990s it was revealed that an original (unnamed) puppy had died of distemper a few days after her first appearance on the programme. Instead of informing viewers, feeling there was no need to upset children needlessly, the programme's editor Biddy Baxter bought a similar-looking replacement puppy, which was subsequently named Petra by the viewers.

Preceded by First Blue Peter Dog

Prime Blue Peter Dog 1962–1977

Succeeded by Shep

[edit] External links

• Petra and Patch from the Blue Peter website