IMPERIAL CANINE
Animated Digital Video
Running time: 2:24 min
2009

IMPERIAL CANINE is an animated video that explores the underpinnings of the proliferation of the Pekingese dog in North America. Five remaining Pekingese dogs were taken from the Summer Palace in the 19th century when British forces invaded China. These dogs were brought to North America, and one of the original dogs (named “Looty”) was given as a gift to Queen Victoria. This led to the popularization of the lap dog throughout victorian England and gave rise to the spread and breeding of the Pekingese dogs.