Dogs of New York City

Artists, performers, and other personalities of New York City on the street with their dogs, 1944. From LIFE photographer Nina Leen.

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Comedian Jimmy Durante with his Irish setter in Times Square. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Actress Ruth Gordon walks her poodle. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Gossip columnist (ha!) Ed Sullivan with his black scottie dog. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Conductor Arthur Rodzinski watches as his dog leaps into his wife's arms. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

William F. Schlemmer of Hammacher Schlemmer with his pair of Yorkshire terriers. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Author Fannie Hurst with her excited dog, Orphan Annie. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Fannie Hurst with her dog. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Actress Joan Caulfield looks classy as she walks her Westie (named Witty). Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Of course, the dog isn't quite so into the classy thing, and jumps into the bushes. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Thanks, dog. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Actor Frederic March with his cocker spaniel in the rain. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Actress Joan Roberts, still in costume, walks her bulldog Goggles during an intermission of "Oklahoma!". Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

When your dog decides to pee on a post while you're in costume and in front of a LIFE photographer, all you can do is laugh. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Opera tenor Lauritz Melchior, his wife, and their Great Dane. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

A boy reads the comics while his dog sits by. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Actress Cornelia Otis Skinner with her dogs. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Actress Margaret Webster with her two Cairn terriers as they watch a cat in the window. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Actor John Boles tries to get his schnauzer puppy to climb over a curb. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Artist Earle Winslow, carrying a painting, tries to control his unruly Irish setter. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Still trying... Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Oh, that dog. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Music conductor Andre Kostelanetz with his sheepdog Puff and a young sheepdog admirer. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Sportscaster Bill Stern reads a paper as his dog sniffs the street. Source

Nina Leen, LIFE © Time Inc.

Model Mimi Berry with her cocker spaniel, who very nicely carries a package for her. Source