Would you like to know what dog breed you resemble? That's one of the surprises that the Museum of the Dog holds, among others, paintings from the 19th-century Victorian era and movie posters featuring pets like "Lassie." It opened its doors on February 8th in New York.
Dogs and cats are rarely recognized in museums unless they appear alongside famous personalities. However, this museum gives dogs the leading role as man's best friend.
The museum is funded by the professional breeders association American Kennel Club, an American canine club that issues its own dog breeding rules. It has two large exhibition halls and a library with over 15,000 items, all about dogs. It truly is the ideal place "to celebrate the art of the dog," states Alan Fausel, the cultural resources director of the center, in an interview with the EFE Agency.
This is a relaunch of the museum, as its doors originally opened in Manhattan in 1982, and between 1986 and 2017 it moved to Saint Louis, Missouri. But as Alan Fausel rightly stated, "this museum is back to stay."
Among the honored dogs are the loyal companions of US presidents. Like the canine portrait of Millie, the springer spaniel of former US President George Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush. In the portrait, Millie is shown reclining on the grass next to a ball. And the canvas of King Edward VII's fox terrier, titled "Silent Sorrow."
Most of the paintings and canvases collected by the museum are from the golden age of dog painting, between 1840 and 1940. Among them, the portrait of a St. Bernard from 1896 stands out, depicted by the British-American painter Maud Earl, where she immortalizes a large canvas of a St. Bernard dog. According to the director, it is considered one of the "museum's favorite pieces." Also, the paintings by the dog painter and favorite artist of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1901), Edwin Henry Landseer, are highlighted.
It also includes fun and informative interactive panels to entertain visitors. One of them is a large screen where "Mollie," a virtual dog, teaches visitors how to train a pet to bark, fetch a ball, or sit. Another screen allows visitors to see which dog breed matches their physiology.
Do you want to visit it? If you love ARISTODOGS and have one, you're probably eager to cross the pond and see this wonderful museum, dedicated solely to dogs.
If you have the pleasure of visiting or have already visited, tell us about it on social media and share your experience.