The Central Canine Society of France, the largest partner and co-founder of the Fédération Cynologique International (FCI), has debuted the second largest Museum of the Dog on the fifth floor of their building in Aubervillers, a northeastern suburb of Paris. The museum offers more than 500 square meters filled with books, paintings, ornaments, and numerous works of art. Several unique pieces are displayed and will be open to anyone interested in the history of man’s best friend.
“It was right after the open-door during the National Week of the dog that the idea arose to transform our patrimony, previously only open to specialists, veterinarians, historians, authors, and journalists, into a permanent museum and welcome anyone who is interested,” veterinarian Dr. Alexandre Balzer, President of the French Kennel Club, proudly stated.
Besides free visits, and guided tours, pedagogical workshops for schools can be planned, as well as thematic guided tours.
“Through this artistic and historical journey, each visitor will be able to discover the extraordinary diversity of representations of the dog, their symbolism and their evolution over the centuries, because each object tells a particular story,” adds Dorothée Fabre, head of the museum and the media library of the Centrale Canine. Students and children will be encouraged to create their own pieces of art during workshops, all inside the museum. At the entrance of the building (and also online), one can shop for small items, replicas, and books.
Most museums are built on donations, and this one is no different. Two famous cynophiles, veterinarian Dr. Michel Cotard and music historian Marcelle Benoit, are the principal contributors. Works of famous artists like Charles de Condamy (1847-1913), known for his amusing scenes depicting dogs, and a painting by Xavier de Poret (1874-1975) are adorning the walls. But I was particularly impressed by the works of hyper-realistic painter Miguel Angel Moraleda, ordered by the Kennel Club and putting the cynological patrimonium of France into the spotlight in six large paintings, each one showing a group of dogs related to a certain task, region, or work, in a different scene.
The museum has numerous etchings, engravings, and very old books. You can see the first page of the “Livre des Origines” showing the pedigree of the first dog that was registered in 1885, a “Griffon d’arrêt francais.” Not only can we see this dog’s pedigree, we can also see him in an engraving and a bronze sculpture. Interesting to see is that the classification of the breeds was very far from what we now know in the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) and the AKC (American Kennel Club). It was even possible to register a “batard” (mongrel in English). Another eye-catcher is a very nice replica of the book by Gaston Phébus of 1392, who wrote the first book about dogs and their relation to the kind of hunt they were bred for. This book contains rich medieval illustrations and golden ornaments.
Two stuffed dogs, a Malinois police dog and a husky, plus a skeleton, are on display as well. Interesting, too, is the corner dedicated to the hero dogs. The French Kennel Club is dedicated to honoring the dogs that have assisted the soldiers during both World Wars, and they have a huge collection with photos, diplomas, medals, and flags that celebrate these hero dogs.
Most objects have a QR code that leads to a full explanation, so guests can learn even more about the subject at hand.
A significant part of the museum is the “Media- thèque,” which can be consulted on request. Thousands of books, photos, and other publications are stored and classified here. The French Kennel Club, or “La Société Centrale Canine,” is unique as it is supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture. Contrary to Kennel Clubs in other countries, the belongings are the property of the state, which guarantees their preservation.
Visiting Paris is on the bucket list of many people, and now, you have another reason: Visit this museum, which is situated very near the airports and just across from the biggest cemetery of France, the third largest of Europe and seventh in the world (also worth a visit). The museum is accessible by Metro, too. You are allowed to bring your leashed dog into the building and the museum; that’s what the staff do as well.
You need to make a reservation if you plan to visit the museum. You can do this by email to: mediatheque@centrale-canine.fr or by phone (+33) 01 49 37 55. The address is Siège de la Centrale Canine, 5th floor – 155 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 93300 Aubervillers. Access is free of charge.
