The Museum of the Dog was founded by the American Kennel Club in 1982. After a few decades away, it's now back in New York City and better than ever, with new exhibits, interactive displays, and a deep catalogue of dog-related art.
The Museum of the Dog thrills families and dog-lovers of all kinds. In addition to a large collection of dog-centric art and artifacts, the museum engages visitors with several new interactive features. These include the “Find Your Match” station, a digital installation that takes your picture, scans your face, and pairs you with the breed of dog you most resemble. You might get poodle, golden retriever, shiba inu—the pooch possibilities are endless.
The American Kennel Club maintains an in-depth collection of dog-related art and artifacts, including a wide range of dog portraits, sculpture, and figurines. On your trip to the Museum of the Dog, you’ll see selections from the collection, which features noted dog artists like James Ward, Sir Edward Henry Landseer, John Sargent Noble, and Maud Earl. You’ll see Millie on the South Lawn, a portrait of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush’s English Springer spaniel with the White House visible in the background. This portrait was painted in 1990 by Christine Merrill.
The museum’s holdings also include a 30 million-year-old dog fossil and a 2,000-year-old paw print, as well as features that highlight other important dogs throughout history. One little Yorkshire terrier sculpture called Yorkie Doodle Dandy represents a little dog that served alongside her owner Bill Wynne in WWII.
Check out the AKC Library in the museum, full of books you won’t find just anywhere. If you’ve ever wanted to check out your dog’s horoscope or a read guide on dog hair, this is the place. Also on site in the museum is a coloring station for kids, where they can make dog-related art and post it on the wall nearby for all to see.
Enjoy the museum’s exciting digital experiences:
- See what breed you resemble most at the Find Your Match Kiosk
- Learn about all of AKC’s 199 recognized breeds, including what artwork they’re featured in, at the interactive Meet the Breeds table
- Take part in the virtual training of a six-month-old Labrador Retriever named Molly
- Learn about the art of breeding, and what it takes to be a responsible breeder
- Visit the expansive library, containing more than 4,000 volumes of breed-specific books, fiction and children’s books, art and photography, and much more.
The AKC Museum of the Dog is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am-6pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children under 12, and $10 for students, seniors, active military, and veterans.
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