This new museum is entirely dedicated to dogs

New York's dog museum will be home to virtual puppies, digital canine tour guides and a stunning collection of hound-inspired paintings

Dog-lovers take note, New York's newest museum is dedicated entirely to our four-legged friends. Pixabay

As one of the most visited cities on the planet, New York City’s museums and galleries are some of the Big Apple's biggest draws. And as of this Friday, there will be an exciting new addition to the cultural scene, as NYC opens the doors to it's very own dedicated dog museum.

Returning to Manhattan after a 32-year absence, the American Kennel Club’s Museum of the Dog brings all things four-legged and furry to its Park Avenue halls.

The exhibits will combine fine arts with cutting-edge technology and interactive exhibits. Dog-loving art enthusiasts can see a 2,000-year-old paw print, a 30 million-year-old canine fossil and a giant wire dog sculpture, as well as plenty of canine masterpieces, including paintings of White House dogs owned by former presidents.

For a more hands-on experience, a Find Your Match kiosk gets visitors to say "woof" as it takes a photograph, then pairs guests with the dog breed that is most like them.

A Meet the Breeds touch-screen exhibit details traits, histories and features of different types of dogs, a useful tool for anyone considering a new four-legged friend.

Little ones can also take a tour through the museum, following the guidance of virtual dog Arty and there’s a digital Labrador puppy called Molly intent on capturing visitor's hearts, too.

Housed in the same building as the American Kennel Club — the nation’s oldest purebred dog registry — the opening marks the return of the museum to its 1982 birthplace. Having relocated to St Louis in 1987 in a bid to attract more visitors, it's now back in the Big Apple for this old dog.