GUND: Baby-Safe Plush, Collectible Bears and Licensed Characters Explained

GUND is one of the oldest plush toy makers in the US, founded in 1898, and gund.com sells its teddy bears, baby toys, animals and licensed characters direct. Most GUND orders are gifts, so the order goes well when the plush suits the recipient's age and the sizing matches what you pictured.

This guide covers the GUND ranges, age labelling, size and care.

Baby GUND versus general plush

Baby GUND is the range made for infants: rattles, soft books, activity toys, comforter-style loveys and small plush with embroidered rather than hard plastic eyes. If the recipient is under three, shop from Baby GUND or from GUND items clearly labelled as suitable from birth.

General GUND plush is often labelled for ages one and up or three and up. The label is about safety testing, such as small parts and attached features, not just taste. Follow it.

For sleep, follow safe-sleep guidance: soft toys should not be in an infant's sleep space. A GUND lovey is for supervised play and comfort when awake, not the cot at night.

Signature GUND bears and animals

GUND is known for the soft, squashy "huggability" of its bears. Long-running lines like Philbin and Snuffles, and the Pusheen collection, are reliable gifts because they have been made for years and match what people expect from GUND.

GUND animals cover dogs, cats, dinosaurs and farm and wild animals, often in several sizes. Reading the description tells you whether the pose is sitting or lying, which changes how large it looks.

Licensed characters and collectibles

A large part of the GUND catalogue is licensed: Disney, Pusheen, Peanuts and seasonal characters, among others. Licensed GUND plush is often sold by other retailers too, so compare the GUND price with other stockists before buying.

GUND also makes collector-focused pieces and limited seasonal items such as holiday bears. These can sell out and are less often discounted. If a collectible matters to you, buy when it appears rather than waiting for a code.

Keep the tag on collector GUND items. For collectors, an attached tag and original condition affect value.

Sizing a GUND gift

GUND lists a height for each plush, usually in inches. A plush measured sitting looks larger in the hand than a standing figure of the same number, so read the dimension against the pose.

Small GUND plush, up to about ten inches, suits stocking fillers and travel. Mid sizes are the classic cuddle bear. Jumbo GUND bears are impressive but take real space in a small room, and cost more to ship.

If you are unsure, pick the middle size. It is the one most children carry around.

Washing and care

Check the care label. Many GUND plush items are surface washable, meaning spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, rather than machine washable. Some baby GUND items are designed to be machine washed on a gentle cycle.

For surface-wash plush, avoid soaking, and let it air dry fully. Brushing matted fur gently with a soft brush restores the pile on older GUND bears.

Timing, delivery and returns

GUND orders cluster around Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day and the winter holidays, which is also when GUND runs most of its promotions. Seasonal GUND plush, such as Easter bunnies or holiday bears, tends to be marked down once the date passes, so collectors who are not buying for a deadline can wait.

If the GUND bear is a gift for a specific day, order early and check the delivery estimate at checkout. Standard shipping slows in the weeks before a holiday, and expedited shipping on a large plush can cost more than the discount saved.

Check the current GUND return terms before ordering. Plush that has been used or had its tag removed is commonly not returnable for hygiene reasons, so keep tags on until you are sure.

Where the GUND savings are

The 30% holiday code is the strongest on paper and includes shipping, which matters on a jumbo GUND bear. It is seasonal, so it may only work during holiday periods; try it first anyway.

The 25% code is a general plush discount and a sensible second attempt. The 20% welcome code is typically aimed at first orders or new email sign-ups.

GUND codes usually do not stack, and some licensed or collectible items may be excluded. Where a code is refused on one item, check whether the rest of the basket still qualifies. Compare with free-shipping thresholds too: a smaller percentage with free delivery can beat a bigger one without it on a small GUND order.

Common questions

Which GUND toys are safe for newborns?

Baby GUND items labelled from birth. Follow the age label, and keep soft toys out of the sleep space.

Can I machine wash a GUND bear?

Some GUND items, but many are surface wash only. Check the care label.

Are GUND licensed plush cheaper elsewhere?

Sometimes. Licensed GUND characters are widely stocked, so compare before ordering.

How big is a GUND bear?

GUND lists height in inches on each product page; read it with the pose in mind.