Western Kennel World was a long-running American dog magazine, established in 1907 by Helen Rosemont.[1] The magazine continued publication until 1972, by which time it was operating out of a printworks at 18-20 Sycamore Street in San Francisco.
The lease for the Sycamore Street building was taken by Residents, Uninc., who moved into the premises in late 1972, finding much of the recently discontinued Western Kennel World's material still in the building, including their photography studio (and some pornography the studio had apparently produced on the side).
An early Denise Byroads photo session featuring the group is often referred to as the "Dog Show" photo session, named after a "dog show" poster found in the building which the group affixed one of the photos to.
A Polaroid photograph of a dog in a Santa costume found in the building inspired the opening track and cover art of The Residents' debut EP, Santa Dog, which was issued as the inaugural release on the group's newly-founded record label Ralph Records in December 1972.
