The American Kennel Club’s Museum of the Dog will officially open its doors in New York City on Friday, February 8, 2019, at its new location, 101 Park Ave, the Kalikow building, a short walk from Grand Central Station. The Museum of the Dog was founded in 1982 and had formerly enjoyed its home in the New York Life Building, housing one of the largest collections of canine art in the world from 1982 to 1986.

The AKC Museum of the Dog moved its remarkable collection of canine art to St Louis, Mo., in 1986, with the intention of centrally locating the museum and making it readily accessible to dog aficionados across the United States. Fast forward 32 years later, the decision was made to return the Museum of the Dog to New York, the city that never sleeps, selecting the grand opening date to coincide with Westminster Kennel Club week.

The museum has a 2,000-year-old paw print, a 30 million-year-old fossil of a dog (the ancient hesperocyon), life-size sculptures of Great Danes, a giant wire dog sculpture hanging over AKC’s filming studio, and hundreds of glass and bronze figurines as well as educational material regarding breeding, working canines, and interactive exhibits on big screens.

The newly designed space at 101 Park Avenue, which also serves at the American Kennel Club’s headquarters, will display art from famous dog artists such as Sir Edwin Landseer (Queen Victoria’s favorite painter), Arthur Wardle, and many others. There is also a two-story glass vitrine that showcases rare porcelains and bronzes and a library where visitors can learn more about their favorite breeds. The museum’s first exhibition will be entitled “For the Love of All Things Dog” and will combine selected works from the American Kennel Club’s own collection and that of the museum.

According to the AKC’s press release, “throughout the museum, visitors will experience exhibits that bridge the digital and physical elements of the museum and bring new life to the collection. Spanning two floors with a double height atrium space at the stair, the gallery includes interactive exhibits such as a ‘Find Your Match’ kiosk that takes your photo, aligning its likeness with an AKC-registered dog breed. Additionally, there is a Meet the Breeds touchscreen table that allows visitors to explore breeds’ features, traits, history, and representations in the collection. There are several other digital experiences that bring audiences into the history of the museum and its mission.”

The museum will also have an app where children can interact with the exhibits with “Arty” a virtual dog/tour guide throughout the museum. There’s even a digital Labrador puppy, “Molly,” you can pet, feed, and throw a ball to by using your voice and movements in front of a giant screen.

“It is exciting to bring this collection back to New York City,” says Alan Fausel, Executive Director, AKC Museum of the Dog. “This Museum is a beautiful ode to man’s best friend and we are thrilled to bring these pieces and exhibitions to new audiences.”

The gift shop will also offer plenty of dog-themed toys and accessories for purchase. Guests can enter on 40th Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. On opening weekend, the museum is open to the public from 2 to 5 pm on Friday and Sunday and 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Monday. Regular hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children younger than 12 and $10 for students, seniors, youth and military/veterans.