An exhibition featuring one of the UK’s most controversial breeds, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is now on show at the Kennel Club Art Gallery, which houses the largest collection of dog paintings in Europe.

Over 160 paintings, engravings, sculptures and ephemera all surrounding this much loved breed are on show. The exhibition, entitled ‘The Staffordshire Bull Terrier and its Ancestors’ will celebrate the history and development of the breed and some exhibits have never been seen on public display before. It will run at the Kennel Club Gallery on Clarges Street, London until June 20^th 2014.

Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to view a collection of paintings, watercolours and engravings from as early as 1820 right up to the present day, showing how the breed has been portrayed through the last two centuries. A series of unique and wonderful contemporary art by artists such as Maria Heskins, Paul Doyle and Pollyana Pickering will also be on show.

The historical portraits of early Bull Terrier types, bronzes and a collection of vintage photographs from the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries will also be featured. The sculpture collection on display highlights the porcelain models by Beswick, Royal Doulton and Meissen.

The exhibition can be viewed by appointment from Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm. To book an appointment or for further information, please contact the Kennel Club Art Gallery on 020 7518 1064 or email artgallery@thekennelclub.org.uk. The Kennel Club Art Gallery is situated on Clarges Street, London, and the nearest tube station is Green Park.