American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog is returning to NYC in February

The dog-themed museum will open on February 8th at 101 Park Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan.

American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog

The American Kennel Club (AKC) Museum of the Dog is making a huge comeback to New York City next month.

Founded in 1982, the museum, which is dedicated to all things dogs, was originally housed in The New York Life Building on Madison Avenue. In 1987, the museum was relocated to West St. Louis County in Missouri, where it has stayed ever since. But on February 8th, after 32 years, the museum will finally head home to New York City and reopen at Kalikow Building at 101 Park Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan.

“We’re headed back to New York City where our museum first started. We are saddened to leave St. Louis, Missouri and our colleagues who lovingly grew and cared for the collection over the past 30 years,” read a statement on the museum’s website. “However, we’re thrilled to take our extraordinary museum of canine-related artwork to mid-town Manhattan where it will be housed in the same building as AKC headquarters.”

The museum’s return to New York City was part of AKC’s plan to bring its dog-related art collection to new and a much larger audience. “This museum is a beautiful ode to man’s best friend and we are thrilled to bring these pieces and exhibitions to new audiences,” said Alan Fausel, executive director of AKC Museum of the Dog.

dog sculptures

Spanning two floors with a double-height atrium space at the stairs, the museum is filled with several hundred dog-themed paintings, drawings, watercolors, prints, sculptures, bronzes, porcelain figurines, and decorative arts objects. Works of popular artists like Edwin Landseer, Maud Earl, and Arthur Wardle will also be displayed in the museum.

In addition to traditional artworks, the museum also showcases interactive displays like “Find Your Match” and “Meet the Breeds.” The “Find Your Match” kiosk takes a visitor’s photo and determines which dog breed he or she looks like, while The “Meet the Breeds” exhibit is actually a touchscreen table that allows visitors to explore different dog breeds, including their features, traits and history.

American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog is returning to NYC in February 2

Visitors can also shop a wide variety of pooch-related items in the museum’s gift shop. Available products include children’s books, stuffed dogs, dog-themed clutches, scarves, and pins, just to name a few.

Admission will cost $15 for adults, $5 for children under 5, and $10 for senior citizens, students, veterans, and active military.

Sources: Gothamist, USA Today
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