Over the centuries, throughout history, specific dog breeds have gone in and out of
fashion. These days, the French Bulldog is a breed very much in style among pet
owners.
Dogs are trendsetters in everything from fashion to art and pet
ownership.
The current exhibition at the AKC Museum of the Dog in Manhattan
chronicles "the rise and fall of dogs in fashion throughout different times of
history," said Alan Fausel, curator. "Fashionable Dogs" tracks the popularity of
several breeds. It spotlights dog breeds such as the Borzoi, Greyhound, Poodle,
Pekingese, Japanese Chin, French Bulldog, and Great Dane.
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| Alan Fausel, curator, speaks on the "Fashionable Dogs" exhibit at the Museum of the Dog. |
Visitors will enjoy paintings, fashion photography, sculptures, and accessories like the famous and emblematic poodle miniskirt.
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| The wall of the poodles |
The art show focuses on how dogs have influenced
fashion and how people’s tastes have influenced the popularity of breeds
themselves. These include how a dog’s ears should look to the diversity of
grooming styles and standards.
According to the AKC, the most popular or
"fashionable" dog breed among pet parents today is the playful and adaptable
French Bulldog. In the 1950s, poodles were especially popular. Today, poodles
are still among the Top 10 breeds.
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| The French Bulldog is now America's top breed among pet owners. |
“Fashionable Dogs” is about the popularity of
dog breeds and the trends in the dog world in everything from those in the
nobility class to fashion runways and magazines, art masterpieces, and even pet
ownership. It showcases works by noted photographers, including Herb Ritts and
Weegee, and dogs featured with famous models such as Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, and
Sharon Tate.
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| The famous Lady Greyhound (Pompous Pooch) by Weegee |
The exhibition is not about dogs wearing cute dresses or costumes.
Dogs are more than fashion props or cute mascots. Think about that when you see
a dog in a magazine or painting.
In all artwork featured, the dogs play a
prominent role. Such is the case in an iconic photograph (Kate Moss, Malibu 1994
ⓒ Herb Ritts Foundation), which features British supermodel Kate Moss sitting
and hugging a powerful-looking and gorgeous black and white Harlequin Great Dane
at a Malibu beach. In the photo, the Great Dane, known as the world’s largest
breed and a gentle giant, covers Moss’s body. The Great Dane pictured was
Olympian champion diver Greg Louganis,’ 180-pound dog, Brutus.
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| The beautiful and fashionable Great Dane poses with supermodels. |
The exhibition,
Fausel said, is a great way to explore the many points of interaction between
the dog and fashion worlds. So, the next time you walk your dog in your
neighborhood, notice the dogs and the trends you may be setting.
For anyone
looking for a dog to add to their family, he said, it is wise to research a
dog’s breed to see if it is a good fit. Generally, it is also a good idea to
know the history and standards of the dog breed, including the dog’s original
job function/ purpose, temperament, health, and lifespan.
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| The anatomy of the dog |
Fausel invites
visitors to check the museum’s Library and Archives to learn more about the
breeds and their rich history.
The AKC Museum of the Dog's “Fashionable Dogs,”
which runs through December 31, is made possible in part by the New York State
Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New
York State Legislature. For more information on the exhibit or the Museum of the
Dog, visit www.museumofthedog.org.
Founded in
1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization, which maintains
the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of
purebred dogs in the United States. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
Photos taken at the "Fashionable Dogs" exhibition at the Museum of the Dog by Clarisel Gonzalez, October 2023. To view more images, visit the #clariselphoto @AKC Museum of the Dog album
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