– Annual Event Features Unique Opportunity for Dog Owners and Art Lovers –

In celebration of dogs in art, the American Kennel Club® is once again hosting a charity brunch, Barkfest at Bonhams, on Sunday, February 11, 2007 from 10 a.m. to noon. Dog lovers, art aficionados and their canine companions are invited to attend the exclusive preview of highly prized dog art at Bonhams, located at 41 East 57th Street (595 Madison Avenue) on the sixth floor. To mark its Jubilee anniversary, Bonhams will hold its 25th Annual Dog Sale on February 13th.

In 1982, Bonhams was the first major auction house to support the dog art niche, beloved by collectors and canine enthusiasts worldwide. Over the years this event has grown into the biggest sale of its type in the auction calendar. The catalogue for the sale in New York in February 2006 boasted Bonhams highest total ever, seeing several world-record prices, including a staggering $842,250 for “New Forest Foxhounds” by John Emms.

The forthcoming sale will feature works by Edmund Henry Osthaus, Maud Earl, John Emms, Samuel Joseph Carter, Carl Reichert, Edwin Megargee, Philip Eustace Stretton and many more artists who celebrated the dog and man's affection for his “best friend.” The Barkfest is a unique opportunity to preview these works in an intimate setting two days prior to the auction.

“The AKC®'s charity brunch in February has become an anticipated annual tradition for dog owners and art lovers alike,” said AKC President Dennis Sprung. “We encourage everyone to join us on February 11th to see this year’s treasures of dog art while supporting a very important cause.”

All proceeds from Barkfest at Bonhams benefit the AKC's charitable public art project, DOGNY – America's Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs. Admission is a $50 donation to DOGNY. To reserve a spot on our RSVP list, please call AKC at 212-696-8277.

For more information on the sale, visit www.bonhams.com/dogs or www.akc.org.