Good Dogs

Since time immemorial, dogs and humans have lived and worked in tandem, sharing ever-shifting relationships that transcend generations and geography. The bonds that developed between our two distinct species have been ones of reliance, partnership, trust, companionship, and love.

Despite the domestication of canines for use as hunting companions, examples from the late Paleolithic period also indicate an emotional connection between humans and dogs; the bones and teeth of the sickly pup from the Bonn-Oberkassel dog grave in Germany shows that it was lovingly cared for during its short life. Ancient Egyptians revered dogs at a level akin to godliness, with royalty lavishing their purebreds with bejeweled collars and the highest quality foods. When an Egyptian royal died, their four-legged companion would often join them in death, acting as the embodiment of Anubis, the dog-headed god and guide through the underworld. Medieval and early modern European artists applied imagery of dogs to their work through both literal and allegorical means; to them, dogs represented loyalty, fidelity, and courage.

Dogs have remained faithful companions. As of 2022, 45% of US households care for dogs, totaling nearly 86 million furry friends in homes nationwide. The global reach of the internet in the twenty-first century has taken the human veneration of dogs to new heights, bringing photogenic, pampered, and perfect pooches to billions on social media.

Utilizing the Museum’s permanent collections, Good Dogs invites you to explore the deep and enduring relationships that dogs and humans share and reflect on how these unconditional connections have been expressed across time and space.