In 1986, the Nordic Kennel Union commissioned Australian artists Marian and Margaret Davidson to illustrate all registered dog breeds. Today, the Davidson Collection of drawings consists of more than 2000 illustrations of pedigree dogs.
The Davidson sisters were commissioned to create the drawings following a decision by the Nordic Kennel Union to use the same type of illustrations in breed standards. Marian and Margaret Davidson had previously published images in a number of Australian books on dogs.
The impressive collection contains full-body illustrations of pedigree dogs from different angles as well as drawings of important anatomical details in different breeds.
A growing art collection
Since Marian and Margaret Davidson finished their work, new breeds have been registered in the Nordic countries. The Nordic Kennel Union has therefore commissioned Finnish artist Lasse Luomanen to illustrate the new breeds in the same style as the original pencil drawings.