The Museum of Dogs: A Cape Town Must-Visit for Dog Lovers

 (Or anyone with a soul)

Yes, you read that right! Cape Town has a new museum, and it’s all about man’s best friend. This quirky attraction celebrates the ways dogs have impacted our lives. 

I really dislike it when you read a blog or watch a reel where the creator just gushes about how great something is without any attempt at trying to sound objective, but when it comes to the Museum of Dogs, it's hard not to do just that. 

It may not be the biggest as far as museums go, but it’s big enough to teach you something, warm your heart and possibly break it a little too. It leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy ...while also making you grieve any dog you've ever lost and those of strangers that you will never meet. 

But you should definitely go. It’s awesome. Take tissues.  (I’m not crying, you’re crying!)

If you’re into quirky activities, love dogs or just have a functioning heart, this one’s for you.

Here's what you can expect to see at the Museum of Dogs:  

The Exhibits Cover:

The History of Dogs in South Africa

It sounds boring but it’s not. I learned a lot about Just Nuisance, the great dane who joined the navy and whose legacy lives on in Simon’s Town (if you’ve been there, you’ve seen the statue), the history of the Rhodesian ridgeback being recognised as a breed, and the role of dogs in modern-day South Africa. 

Dog Art Photography

There are a lot of fancy art galleries in Cape Town that focus on conceptual art, work that stimulates controversy and stuff that evokes “discourse”. Sometimes the art is created by someone who’s really talented and sometimes it’s created by someone who just knows how to write a rationale. 

 

But dog photography? Now, that’s art I can get behind!

Dog art photography actually warms your heart, sparks joy and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. At the risk of being stripped of my arts degree, I’d much rather be staring at this: 

Dogs in Pop Culture 

There is a section in the museum devoted to dogs in pop culture where you can reflect on movies like Jock of the Bushveld and Marley and Me and listen to songs by well-known artists like Elton John and Cat Stevens about their favourite canines. (Yeah, I also presumed that dogs would not have been Cat Steven's first choice of pet!)

Dogs of the White House

As you ascend to the second level, displayed along the stairs you can see all the pampered pooches who got to call the White House their home.

The museum gets even better when you get upstairs... 

The Upper Level

Kitsch Porcelain Dog Ornaments 

As you arrive on the second level — which is mostly one big room — you are greeted by a row of large porcelain dog ornaments! I love them! I’ve often looked at them longly at the ones at the Whatnot and China Town. I’m not going to lie, I really want one. The Museum of Dogs has quite the collection. I do feel like they have a lot of spaniel-type dogs and what they really need is at least one bulldog.

 

Probably the most underrated exhibit in the whole museum.

The Main Event

Most of the upper level is made up of a series of podiums displaying various items that are tied to true stories of real dogs and their humans. Some of them will warm your heart while others will kick you in the gut. (Pro tip: choose waterproof mascara.) I literally found myself both laughing and crying in the space of about three minutes — and I wasn’t even on my period! 

Though it may not look like the most profound museum exhibit at first glance, if you read the explanations, it really is. These aren’t just fluffy anecdotes, they’re deeply human tales of love, loyalty and sometimes loss. Some of them definitely stay with you long after you have left and you will find yourself reflecting on them for days after the experience. (If you’re not dead inside, anyway).

The Best Part:

Before you leave the museum, there is a book where you can share your own story of how a dog impacted your life. And if the curator thinks it’s a good one, it may even find itself onto one of the podiums.  (You can also submit it online through their website).

I’m not sure how often they change up their display but this is also a great reason to pay this place multiple visits.

Other Facilities at the Museum of Dogs 

There’s also a cinema. Obviously movies about dogs are shown here. Currently, they are showing short films from Norway, Spain and the UK about dogs as workers and companions. 

I didn’t spend too much time in there because I wanted to see everything else.

There’s also a book section with dog books and a gift shop where you can buy a souvenir …or maybe a treat for your dog because — considering your newfound awareness that they are the best creatures on earth and humans don’t deserve them — you suddenly feel really guilty about leaving them at home when you went to a museum. (Especially because well-behaved dogs are in fact welcome. Shame on you!) 

There’s no museum coffee shop but cool drinks and water are available on site.

What I Loved About the Museum:

• The very fact that this museum exists. It’s ridiculous and wonderful.
• The porcelain dog sculptures - I need one in my life!
• You can add your own dog story to the display. 
• There are tiny dog statues hidden in unlikely places around the museum. I found these two but I suspect that there are more. 

• It’s everything the world needs.

Museum of Dogs Entrance Fee:

Currently, tickets cost R100 per adult and R50 for kids under 16. It's free for kids under 10.

Museum of Dogs Opening Hours:

It's open 10:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesday to Sunday. 

Are Dogs Welcome at the Museum of Dogs?

Yes, they are. As long as they are well-trained and on a leash.

Why You Should Visit:  

Full confession: I thought this museum may be more for kids. But after reading the stories on the upper level, it’s definitely more for grownups. Some should come with trigger warnings. 

As I said, the museum is quite small as far as museums go but there’s something about this one that’s got a lot of soul. From the history and art to the heartwarming stories, it’s a place that stays with you long after you leave. I laughed, I cried and I left with a newfound appreciation for how lucky we are to have such amazing furry angels in our lives. 

If you’re a dog lover (or even just someone who likes to experience the quirky and unusual corners of Cape Town), do yourself a favour and pay this place a visit.  You might just leave with your heart a little fuller and a newfound determination to spoil your furry friend (or someone else’s) even more.

Find out more information here.

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Related post: 

Strange and Unusual Things To Do in Cape Town

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