Pictorial Dog Breed World Map by Langeneckert, 1968

"It's A Dog's World" is a captivating thematic map created in 1968 by Langeneckert for the Ralston Purina Company. This unique map overlays the global distribution of canine breeds onto the geopolitical boundaries of the mid-20th century, offering a playful yet educational perspective on the world of dogs. As a promotional item for Purina Dog Chow, it reflects the era's cultural intersections between pet care industries and consumer culture, capturing the burgeoning interest in domestic pets and their role as companions and family symbols.

The map's design is a vibrant tapestry of color and detail, illustrating the geographical origins and popular breeds in each region. From the sled-pulling dogs of Alaska and Northern Canada to the elegant hounds of Europe and the robust breeds of the Soviet Union, each breed is meticulously placed to align with its region of origin. The vivid color palette not only enhances the visual appeal but also serves to educate viewers about the rich diversity of canine breeds across different continents.

Langeneckert's artistry is evident in the map's careful balance of educational content and promotional messaging. The legend and promotional text are unobtrusively placed in the lower left corner, ensuring that the map's educational purpose is seamlessly integrated with its function as an advertising tool. This thoughtful design choice reflects the mid-20th century's burgeoning consumer culture, where companies like Ralston Purina sought to create direct connections between their products and the daily lives of their customers.

The map's historical significance lies in its reflection of the cultural and commercial dynamics of the time. As a thematic and pictorial map, it not only promotes the global reach of Ralston Purina's products but also educates viewers about the global distribution of dog breeds. This dual purpose highlights the interplay between consumer culture and the growing interest in pets during the mid-20th century, making it a fascinating artifact of its time.

Incorporating elements such as a compass rose and detailed bodies of water, the map is as much a work of art as it is a cartographic achievement. The inclusion of features like the Beaufort Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean adds depth and context, enhancing the map's educational value. "It's A Dog's World" is a testament to the creativity and innovation of its creators, offering a unique glimpse into the world of dogs and the cultural landscape of the 1960s.

Dog breeds shown on this map

• Alaskan Malamute
• American Foxhound
• American Water Spaniel
• Black and Tan Coonhound
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever
• Chihuahua
• Boston Terrier
• Labrador Retriever
• Cocker Spaniel
• Fox Terrier
• English Setter
• Beagle
• Yorkshire Terrier
• English Springer Spaniel
• Irish Setter
• Irish Wolfhound
• Pomeranian
• Puli
• Schippeike
• Basset Hound
• Brittany Spaniel
• Pointer
• BLoodhound
• Rottweiler
• Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
• Collie
• Scottish Terrier
• Dachshund
• German Shepherd
• Poodle
• Schnauzer
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Shorthaired Pointer
• Dalmatian
• Keeshound
• Greyhound
• Basenji
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Saluki
• Afghan Hound
• St. Bernard
• Norwegian Elkhound
• Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)
• Boxer
• Lhasa Apso
• Samoyed
• Siberian Husky
• Japanese Spaniel
• Chow Chow
• Pug
• Pekingese
• Australian Terrier
• Silky Terrier

Countries and regions on this map

• North America
• Canada
• United States
• Mexico
• South America
• Greenland
• Iceland
• Europe
• U.S.S.R.
• Mongolia
• China
• India
• Saudi Arabia
• Arabian Peninsula
• Africa
• Australia
• New Guinea
• Japan
• Philippines
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Vietnam
• Korea

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Bodies of Water:
• Beaufort Sea
• Atlantic Ocean
• Pacific Ocean
• Arabian Sea
• Philippine Sea
• Coral Sea
• Compass Rose: Located in the lower right corner, indicating cardinal directions.
• Legend: Positioned in the lower left corner, providing context and information about the breeds and map.
• Promotional Text: Accompanies the legend, promoting Ralston Purina and Purina Dog Chow.

Historical and design context

• Creation Date: 1968
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Langeneckert / Ralston Purina Company
• Themes and Topics:
• Thematic and pictorial map depicting canine breeds overlaid on mid-20th century geopolitical boundaries.
• Highlights the growing interest in domestic pets and consumer culture during the mid-20th century.
• Educates about global dog breed distribution while promoting the company's products.
• Design and Style:
• Vivid color palette used to illustrate the geographical origins and popular breeds in each region.
• Legend and promotional text placed unobtrusively to balance educational purposes with advertising.
• Historical Significance:
• Reflects the mid-20th century's burgeoning interest in pets and the rise of consumer culture.
• Demonstrates the global reach of Ralston Purina's products and the diversity of canine breeds.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.