With nearly 10,000 volumes (and counting), the Chapin-Horowitz Collection of Cynogetica is the second-largest collection of books about dogs in the United States. An evolving collection, it contains scholarly works—in several languages—dating back to 1537, as well as children’s literature, breed guides, and publications of the American Kennel Club.

In 1937, an initial donation of over 3,000 volumes by Rhode Island Historical Society librarian and dog book collector Howard M. Chapin established the Peter Chapin Collection of Books on Dogs. The collection grew by over 6,000 volumes in October 1988 with the donation of the Murray and Shirley G. Horowitz collection of books on dogs. A modest private endowment allows us to add books to the collections on an ongoing basis.

Search or browse the Chapin-Horowitz Collection in the library catalog. If you do not find titles in your area of interest, contact us.