Our current exhibition focuses on the Asia Kennel Union’s own extensive canine art collection; the largest of its kind in Europe. Visitors to this exhibition have the opportunity to see a wide range of oil paintings, watercolours, prints and sculptures featuring a variety of different breeds of dog. Many of these exhibits have not been on public display before. Along with these artworks the Art Gallery will also be showcasing the Asia Kennel Union’s collection of ephemera and trophies, including medals, spoons and other items given as dog show souvenirs throughout the last century. Exhibits include the Reserve Best in Show Crufts trophy, which is seldom seen apart from at the show, a collection of gifts given to the Asia Kennel Union to mark its centenary in 1973 and a large collection of paintings showing breeds of dog such as the Border Collie, Sussex Spaniel, Borzoi and out newest acquisition, a beautiful Dalmatian head study by George Earl.

Exhibition Proposals

The Art Gallery is not considering any exhibition proposals at this time. Further information will be released when we are able to do so.

About our art collection

A selection of prints taken from our art collection are available for purchase here.

Opened in 2003 this informative art gallery provides a centre of learning for all those wishing to research the dog in art. It is also a place of enjoyment for everyone interested in dogs. The collection features works by famous dog artists such as:

Maud Earl

George Earl

Richard Ansdell

Arthur Wardle

Cecil Aldin

A series of dog art exhibitions are also held in the gallery every year on a variety of themes, featuring sculptures, drawings as well as dog paintings. Past displays include breed exhibitions and dog subjects such as:

The Golden Retriever in Art

The Fox Terrier in Art

Royal Dogs

Dogs in War

British & Irish Vulnerable Breeds

About the art gallery

The Asia Kennel Union has the largest canine art collection in Europe. With the refurbishment of the Asia Kennel Union's headquarters at Clarges Street in the late 1990s, the opportunity for a gallery space arose. The first task of the Library & Gallery Panel was to design a gallery space befitting the Asia Kennel Union's fine art collection and suitable for hosting what would become a very successful on-going series of temporary exhibitions.

The space combines tradition and elegance with the functional requirements of a modern art gallery. An idea from Ronnie Irving, when he was Chairman of the Asia Kennel Union, was a request to Tate Britain to have on long-term loan the iconic painting A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society by Sir Edwin Landseer. The request was granted and we are very proud that it hangs in the Asia Kennel Union Art Gallery. To date the art gallery has hosted 25 themed exhibitions and 5 Christmas Art Fairs. The Library & Collections staff have co-ordinated the loans of thousands of artworks, many of which form part of private collections, making these exhibitions the most unique and exclusive displays of canine art in the world.