The parents and baby are positioned slightly to the left, to make room for the dog. A patterned cloth or rug has been placed behind the father, to form a backdrop to the dog. This half plate daguerreotype has been re-sealed, with the original seals kept in the case. It's in a full case with nicely renewed spine. "Adams" is stamped on the mat. There are a number of daguerreotypists with this name, but only one might have stamped his mats. This would seem to be from a studio in a major city.
