The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest dog registry and leading authority and advocate for dogs, and the AKC Museum of the Dog are pleased to announce that the AKC Museum of the Dog will be relocating back to New York City from St.Louis, MO. The move is the result of a mutual agreement between both boards to expand and enhance the future of the Museum.

The AKC Museum of the Dog, founded in 1982, was originally housed in The New York Life Building located at 51 Madison Avenue as part of the AKC Headquarters. In 1987, the Museum was moved to a temporary space in the historic Jarville House located in Queeny Park, West St. Louis County, MO under an agreement with St. Louis County.

Over the years, the AKC has donated over $4.5 million to the Museum to ensure its continuation. The AKC was instrumental in founding the Museum and believes in its mission to protect and to share the amazing works of art donated by participants in the dog sport over the last 35 years.

The AKC Museum of the Dog houses one of the largest collections of dog art in the world and is an important part of the AKC’s history and future,” said Ronald H. Menaker, Chairman of the Board for the American Kennel Club. “New York City is world-renowned for its art and museum culture and we feel that it is the perfect place to house a museum and educational interactive learning center as a destination.”

With a population of over 8.5 million people, and 59 million visitors per year, New York City provides an excellent opportunity for a substantial increase in visitors and exposure and lends the potential for educational programs to coincide with the promotion of the purebred dog. The relocation to Midtown Manhattan also provides a means for the Museum to generate revenue from additional admissions, memberships, sponsorships, and donations. The AKC is in negotiations for ground floor retail oriented space in the heart of New York City that would give the Museum the location necessary to become a world-class tourist destination.

New York City presents a new chapter for the future of the Museum of the Dog,” said Candy Caciolo, Chairman of the Board for the AKC Museum of the Dog. We look forward to the growth and expansion of the Museum as we show the world the artistic beauty of the purebred dog.

The date and location for the move of the Museum are pending. Until the transition to New York is in place, the AKC Museum of the Dog will maintain its current operations in St. Louis, MO.”