Breed: The British and their Dogs

This week I had the honour of attending the opening for the latest exhibition by The University of Manchester and The Manchester Museum. Breed - The British and Their Dogs is a new exhibition, which illustrates the history of pedigree dog breeding in Britain. The exhibition focuses on six specific pedigree dog breeds: Bloodhound, Irish Wolfhound, Borzoi, Pekingese, Bulldog and Collie.

The theme of the exhibition is clear. Dogs. Dogs. Dogs. I would be very surprised to encounter anyone who wasn't a dog enthusiast here although they would most certainly feel welcome as there is plenty available for us all to ponder upon. You might find the taxidermy and skulls are not to your taste but there are also cuddly toys and funny statues to balance out the artefacts on display and cater to all tastes. The exhibition is displayed in a medium large room that has been designed to resemble an old-fashioned dog show. The featured breeds each have their own section including taxidermy specimens proudly on show enclosed within central glass cabinets. Most of which are named as they were once someone's dearly loved pet.

As you enter the exhibition through a darkened archway, you are met with a projected moving image display, mainly photographed in black and white of dogs taking part in various activities. This is the only interactive element of the exhibition which is a little disappointing to interactive media junkies such as myself but the show does go on and there is enough to keep everyone pacified, including a seating area with doggie themed books and magazines to leaf through whilst you rest your tired legs or simply contemplate the meaning of it all.

Life-size black shadowy figures of each breed are painted onto the white walls of the entrance and represent the differences in size and shape within this species. To the left hangs the Victorian painting 'An Early Canine Meeting' by R Marshall (1855), which illustrates many of the popular breeds of the 19th Century as well as highlighting the changes that have occurred in these breeds over the last 157 years.

The walls are painted in hues of red, white, blue and grey and the artwork has been designed to resemble a Victorian dog show, including old-fashioned bunting, which draws together the British, Victorian and Kennel Club elements of the exhibition. One side of the room features a timeline of dog show related facts and artefacts including some fierce looking brass collars and a few references to Queen Victoria. Alongside this is a glass cabinet of trophies from The Manchester Dog Show Society that sparkle and gleam proudly.

The rest of the room is dedicated to the breeds that each has their own enclosure. The highlights of these sections include a Sherlock Holmes Bloodhound statue, Porcelain Bronze Foo Dogs to represent the Pekingese, a whisky jar featuring an Irish Wolfhound, a Borzoi Faberge figure on loan from Her Majesty the Queen and large painting on loan from The Kennel Club, a painting of Collie from Manchester City Galleries and an example of a Winston Churchill Bulldog propaganda poster.

The private opening night event was attended by some fine living specimens of each breed, accompanied by members of the Manchester Dog Society. I was greeted initially by a British Bulldog called 'Rockstar' or 'Rocky' for short who was so handsome I contemplated taking him home before I clocked his burly man owner and decided not to free him from his best friend. They were a proud, kind and gentle pairing. I did however steal a few kisses from Rocky before I left the exhibition. The Museum entrance hall was crammed with dog fanatics who were fed nibbles from dog bowls and drinks including a beer from The Black Dog Brewery.

Nick Merriman, Director of The Manchester Museum opened the exhibition with his black miniature schnauzer Ruby who he admitted was "a bit of an imposter, however she's a bit like the queen; Thoroughly British but she's got a bit of German stock." Merriman was clearly delighted to be hosting this exhibition and went on to comment on the old adage that "you should never work with animals or children" stating that  "here at The Manchester Museum, we scoff at that notion". Merriman went on to explain that with the museum welcoming over 370,000 visitors last year he was now looking to the 31% of British households who own some of the 10.5 million dogs in Britain to increase his audience.

The academic work of Professor Worboys forms the basis of the exhibition and he was there on the opening night to remind his audience that all of the breeds represented are of course from the same species. Despite their very obvious physical differences. He attempted to enlighten his guests by telling them that "breed is something that was created by the Victorian dog fancy and has informed the way that we thing about dogs". "Dog breeders pioneered artificial insemination which was then transferred to agriculture". "The Irish Wolfhound could be seen as the first designer dog". Difficult to imagine in this modern age of 'tea-cup' dogs but you defiantly understood the point he was trying to make.

The research and message of this exhibition is multi-layered. It is a celebration of British culture, which includes dog shows, clubs and societies. People are clearly very fond of having different breeds of dog to choose between and as a visits, you are likely to find yourself gravitating towards to the section which features the breed of which you are most fond, highlighting your own personal canine preferences. This highlights the exhibition's other goal, which is to examine exactly what we have done to the dog as a species through selective breeding, artificial insemination and other medical interventions and developments.

It is clear that dogs have played an important part in the development and history of man. This body of work examines the part that man has played in the history and development of the dog. Have our influences on their species been as positive as their influences on ours?

They may be our best friend but have we really been theirs?

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The exhibition is free and open to the public from 6th October 2012 to 13th January 2013 10am - 5pm.

There are a series of events aimed at families and adults for the general public to attend including Big Saturday: Dogs on Show on 13th October 11am-4pm. With live dogs in our courtyard and activities for all the family. You can meet a Bloodhound, Bulldog, Borzoi, Collie, Pekinese and Irish Wolfhound and their breeders.  There’s Barking Dogs Bark and Read - where children can read to dogs. Dog Detective workshops (11.30am & 2.30pm) that explore the science of smell and crime investigation. Dog Talk on Manchester Dogs (1.30pm) – the street dogs when Manchester was the rabies capital of the UK, the ace ratter Manchester terrier and the Lyme Hall mastiff. FREE, drop in, suitable for all ages. Walkies! Departing from the Whitworth Art Gallery is Walkies (1-4pm), a walking tour for dogs and their owners that sniffs around the buildings, parks and stories of this part of town. To book either Visit www.manchester.ac.uk/museum    or ring 0161 275 2648 Or email – museum@manchester.ac.uk

The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL          Tel: 0161 275 2648

Museum opening times: Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm Sun, Mon, Bank hols: 11am-4pm 27-31 Dec: 11am-4pm 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan: closed

The Manchester Museum is the UK’s largest university museum and all of its collections are designated by the government as being of national and international importance. As a university museum, The Manchester Museum uses its international collection of human and natural history for enjoyment and inspiration. Working with people from all backgrounds, the Museum provokes debate and reflection about the past, present and future of the earth and its inhabitants.