Lost Century of Sports Collection

A Gallery of Dogs in the 19th Century Lost Century of Sports Collection

A Gallery of Dogs in the 19th Century is a chronological time-capsule of 350 photographs and illustrations originally published in 50 books and magazines from 1858 to 1898. During these years, ancient canine breeds were defined and refined into modern breeds that are now beloved domesticated family members in millions of households.

Three enduring organizations were founded in this pivotal era: the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1866), the Westminster Kennel Club (1877), and the American Kennel Club (1884).

Dogs had long been bred for specific localized tasks-hunting, retrieving, herding, protecting property, pulling a sled, turning a wheel-but there were no established standards or criteria for breeds. The Victorian Era gave birth to widespread controlled breeding. Kennel clubs in England, Holland, Germany and other countries began standardized breeding in the 1850s.

The public was introduced to new breeds through the only media available: printed newspapers, books and magazines. The photographs and illustrations they published inspired affections Americans began to feel toward favorite breeds. Public enlightenment led to banning brutal animal sports like bull-baiting, bear-baiting, and dog-fighting in many regions of the country.

The illustrations are presented in chronological order by publication date. The Index is divided into separate sections for breeds and general subjects.

Featured breeds include the retriever, pointer, poodle, beagle, bulldog, Newfoundland, mastiff, shepherd, collie, dachshund, great Dane, dalmatian, wolf dog, St. Bernard, sheep dog, Mexican hairless, pugs, setters (Irish setter, English setter, Gordon setter), hounds (greyhound, foxhound, bloodhound, basset hound, deerhound), spaniels (cocker spaniel, clumber spaniel, Irish water spaniel), terriers (Airedale terrier, Bedlington terrier, black and tan terrier, Boston terrier, bull terrier, English terrier, fox terrier, Irish terrier, Maltese terrier, otter terrier, Scotch terrier, Yorkshire terrier), and lots of puppies.