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Dorothy B. Howe collection of Labrador Retriever materials

 Collection
Identifier: AKE-20-6

Scope and Contents

The Dorothy Howe Collection of Labrador Retriever Materials spans from 1885 to 1984 and includes substantive records of Rupert Kennels, under which Ms. Howe bred Labrador Retrievers, photographs of Labrador Retrievers, and Ms. Howe's research and clippings regarding dog health issues.

Ms. Howe collected clippings of Labrador Retrievers from dog publications and kept them loose and in scrapbooks. She also compiled a photograph album and numerous loose photographs and slides of Labrador Retrievers, including win shots, candids, puppies, and hunting. Ms. Howe was an avid researcher of dog health issues, especially hip dysplasia and eye health, and kept research reports, articles, pedigrees, and corresponded with others on these conditions. She also corresponded heavily with other breeders and Labrador Retriever owners, exchanging pedigrees and health information and discussing breeding possibilities and logistics. These letters give an intimate look at Ms. Howe's breeding thought processes and how she applied her knowledge of health issues to breeding.

Dates

  • 1885-1984
  • Majority of material found within 1930s-1970s

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open to research without restrictions.

Publishing and Use Restrictions

Many of the materials, particularly photographs, may still be under copyright and require permission of the AKC and/or the creator before publishing. Please consult the Archivist.

Biographical / Historical

Dorothy B. (nee Batchelder) Howe (1900-1980) was a prominent Labrador Retriever breeder under the kennel name Rupert Kennels in Vermont. Her husband, Carleton G. Howe, ran a successful apple growing business and served as a Vermont State Representative, Senator, and Chairman of the Vermont Republican Party in the 1940s and 1950s. Ms. Howe is the author of "The Labrador Retriever" (1984) and "This is the Labrador Retriever" (1972).

Physical Description

9.6 Linear Feet (in 12 boxes (7 document boxes, 3 flat photo boxes, 1 photo box, and 1 slide box))

Abstract

The Dorothy Howe Collection of Labrador Retriever Materials spans from 1885 to 1984 and includes substantive records of Rupert Kennels, under which Ms. Howe bred Labrador Retrievers, photographs of Labrador Retrievers, and Ms. Howe's research and clippings regarding dog health issues.

Ms. Howe collected clippings of Labrador Retrievers from dog publications and kept them loose and in scrapbooks. She also compiled a photograph album and numerous loose photographs and slides of Labrador Retrievers, including win shots, candids, puppies, and hunting. Ms. Howe was an avid researcher of dog health issues, especially hip dysplasia and eye health, and kept research reports, articles, pedigrees, and corresponded with others on these conditions. She also corresponded heavily with other breeders and Labrador Retriever owners, exchanging pedigrees and health information and discussing breeding possibilities and logistics. These letters give an intimate look at Ms. Howe's breeding thought processes and how she applied her knowledge of health issues to breeding.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into five series based on content and form:

  1. 1. Photographs, Slides, and Scrapbooks
  2. 2. Dog health research
  3. 3. Other research and clippings
  4. 4. Rupert Kennels records
  5. 5. Pedigrees and correspondence with other kennels, breeders, owners

Provenance

Provenance unknown.

Related Materials

The AKC Library holds numerous volumes from the personal library of Dorothy Howe. To view these holdings, perform an advanced search for the Howe collection in the Library's online catalog under "Collection Type."

Title
Guide to the Dorothy B. Howe Collection of Labrador Retriever materials
Status
Completed
Author
Preliminary re-housing of documents by unknown archivist. Further processing by Brynn White, 2016-2017, and creation of finding aid by Katie Bednark, 2018.
Date
2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the American Kennel Club Library & Archives Repository

Contact:
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