Buzz
In February 1953, New York City police were summoned to control crowds eager to catch a glimpse of a visiting celebrity. Officers held back throngs of people from a well-known Manhattan storefront, where a silver-gray Toy Poodle perched elegantly on a red velvet cushion.
Masterpiece, a renowned poodle, was the product of one man's relentless pursuit of canine perfection. Hailed as the world's most valuable dog at the time, he would soon become the centerpiece of a crime that remains shrouded in mystery.
The Ideal Poodle
Masterpiece's fame can be traced back to Alexis Pulaski, born in Russia in 1895. Pulaski served in the Imperial Russian Army before escaping during the 1917 Communist Revolution, joining the exodus of Russia's elite. By 1925, he had settled in the United States, presenting himself as a count—a title whose authenticity remains uncertain.
Pulaski, a tall man with silver hair and an air of authority, possessed a natural talent for persuasion. While he had previously bred Doberman Pinchers in Russia, his focus shifted in 1939 after dogsitting a friend’s poodles. Inspired, he transformed a former Manhattan speakeasy into Poodles, Inc., a dedicated establishment offering grooming, boarding, and specialty accessories exclusively for poodles.
Beyond his business ventures, Pulaski became consumed with dominating dog shows. In 1946, a silver-gray puppy caught his eye [PDF]. Convinced this poodle could break barriers, Pulaski aimed to make him the first toy dog to conquer obedience, utility, and championship titles. Within just eight weeks of training, the puppy was officially registered with the American Kennel Club as “Pulaski’s Masterpiece.”
Masterpiece quickly rose through regional competitions, fulfilling Pulaski’s ambition of securing the trifecta. Believing his dog was destined for more than routine shows, Pulaski organized exclusive cocktail parties attended by global elites, all captivated by Masterpiece’s performances. One of his most iconic tricks involved Pulaski asking, “Masterpiece, are you a Communist?” to which the dog would emphatically shake his head in refusal.
As Masterpiece’s fame grew, so did his lavish lifestyle. A former Bronx Zoo lion trainer was enlisted to teach him advanced tricks, and he was accompanied by a team including a beautician, a bodyguard, and a professional travel companion. His custom-designed carrier resembled a giant picture frame, showcasing him as the star. At home, the 9-inch, 8-pound poodle lounged on a luxurious green velvet canopy bed.
A significant portion of Masterpiece’s earnings came from his role as a stud dog, bringing in roughly $11,000 annually through breeding and modeling. Pulaski famously claimed his poodle would refuse any breeding offer below $500. Masterpiece fathered over 300 puppies, with notable owners such as Judy Garland, Gary Cooper, and Eva Peron.
Masterpiece soon became a sought-after figure in advertisements for hosiery, footwear, drapery, and telephones. Pulaski asserted that the dog even influenced the popular curly “poodle cut” hairstyle among women. His renown grew to such an extent that, as reported by the American Kennel Club, Pakistani prince Ali Khan proposed $25,000 (nearly a quarter of a million in today’s currency) to purchase the dog for his wife, actress Rita Hayworth. Pulaski dismissed the offer but took pride in the high valuation of his cherished poodle.
During downtime from travel or work, Masterpiece enjoyed the company of Pulaski’s other poodles at Poodles, Inc. Pulaski often boasted that his dogs were so impeccably trained that cages or leashes were unnecessary to keep them in the shop. Little did he suspect that someone might exploit this disciplined behavior for their own gain.
A Vanished Masterpiece
On May 29, 1953, Poodles, Inc. operated as usual. Dogs, including Masterpiece, lounged comfortably on their cushions while a harpist from a nightclub provided soothing melodies in the background.
Masterpiece had been in town for an extended period following his appearance modeling Easter outfits at a fashion show. Around 1 p.m., Pulaski returned after a brief absence and called for Masterpiece to perform for a group of customers who had entered the store. The dog failed to appear. A thorough search of the premises by Pulaski and his staff yielded no trace of Masterpiece, prompting an immediate call to the police.
Over the following weeks, law enforcement agencies across 13 states were alerted, and volunteers combed the city for clues. A reward—featuring another poodle—was announced for Masterpiece’s safe return, with no questions asked. The Gotham Hosiery Company, one of Masterpiece’s sponsors, circulated 3500 missing dog posters. “Taking a dog like him is akin to stealing the Hope Diamond,” Pulaski remarked. “He’s internationally recognized. No one can escape the consequences.”
Yet, the thief managed to evade capture. Pulaski’s beloved poodle had disappeared without a trace.
The sole lead in the case came from a witness who reported seeing a sophisticated, dark-haired woman in a red coat exiting Poodles, Inc. with a small gray dog trailing behind. The witness noted it was unusual that the poodle wasn’t on a leash yet followed so dutifully.
There’s a chance Masterpiece left voluntarily—he had previously wandered out of Poodles, Inc. (on that occasion, he lingered in a nearby linen shop until employees contacted authorities to return him). When the dog didn’t reappear, police anticipated a ransom demand, but none ever came. If Masterpiece was indeed stolen, he may have spent his remaining years as a hidden treasure in a private poodle collection.
In the years after Masterpiece’s disappearance, poodle enthusiasm swept through high society. Celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Katharine Hepburn proudly displayed their poodles, cementing them as the must-have accessory for stylish women. By 1968, the American Kennel Club had hired 38 staff members solely to handle the registration of new poodles.
Pulaski persisted in breeding poodles, yet none ever matched the brilliance of his Masterpiece. He passed away in 1968 at 73, never having reclaimed his treasured companion.
