List of U.S. state dogs

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A map of the US showing in red which states have a specified dog breed as an official symbol Official Dog States.svg
A map of the US showing in red which states have a specified dog breed as an official symbol

Thirteen states of the United States have designated an official state dog breed. Maryland was the first state to name a dog breed as a state symbol, naming the Chesapeake Bay Retriever in 1964. [1] Pennsylvania followed the year after, naming the Great Dane as its official breed. [2] Dog breeds are mostly affiliated with the states that they originated in. North Carolina chose the Plott Hound as it was the only dog breed indigenous to the state. [3]

Contents

Other official state dogs also are indigenous to their state, including the Boston Terrier (Massachusetts) and the Alaskan Malamute (Alaska). [4] [5] Pennsylvania selected the Great Dane not because of its origin, but because it was introduced by early settlers in the state to be used as a hunting and working dog; [6] it was chosen over the Beagle, which was also proposed around the same time. [7]

Two of the more recent successful campaigns to name a state dog have been started by schoolchildren. In 2007, Alaskan kindergarten student Paige Hill's idea created the campaign for the Alaskan Malamute which would convince Representative Berta Gardner to support the bill in 2009, with it becoming law in 2010. [8] Elementary school students from Bedford, New Hampshire won their campaign for the Chinook to be accepted as a symbol of their state in 2010. [9]

There have been a variety of campaigns in other states to select a state dog. Georgia was undecided about choosing a state dog in 1991, with an attempt to make the Golden Retriever the official dog failing after a vote in the Georgia State Senate; an opposing campaign promoted the Bulldog, the mascot of the University of Georgia. [10] The campaign to make the Siberian Husky the Washington state dog failed in the Washington House of Representatives in 2004. [11] In January 2019, Minnesota partnered with charity Pawsitivity Service Dogs to introduce a bill to make the Labrador Retriever the State Dog. [12]

In 2006, New York State Assembly member Vincent Ignizio suggested that New York should adopt a dog as a state symbol, [13] and during the campaign to name the western painted turtle as state reptile for Colorado in 2008, it was suggested by local press that the Labrador Retriever would be suitable as a symbol, even though it is not native to the state. [1] While in Kansas as early as 2006, residents have suggested the Cairn Terrier as the state dog due to the breed's appearance as Toto in the film The Wizard of Oz . [14] In 2012, Representative Ed Trimmer tabled a bill proposing the Cairn Terrier as a state symbol. [15] In 2015, the "working dog", animals that have been trained for various service roles, was adopted. [16]

Although South Dakota does not have a state dog breed, it does list the coyote—a canine species related to the dog—as its state wildlife animal. [17] [18] In Minnesota, legislation has been proposed on six occasions to adopt the eastern timber wolf as the state animal. [19]

In 2013, Colorado listed rescue dogs and cats as the state pet, [20] [21] [22] as did Tennessee in 2014 [23] and Delaware in 2023 replacing the Golden Retriever. [24] California also named the shelter pet as its state pet in 2015 because of all the abandoned shelter pets each year. California's legislature hopes this will cause more adoptions of pets from shelters. [25] [26] In 2017, Illinois designated shelter cats and dogs as the state pet as well, [27] while in 2018, Georgia adopted "adoptable dogs" as its state dog. [28]

State dog breeds

StateDog breedImageYear of designationRef.
Alaska Alaskan Malamute Alaskan Malamute.jpg 2010 [29]
Connecticut Siberian Husky Siberian-husky.jpg 2024 [30]
Delaware Golden Retriever Golden Retriever standing Tucker.jpg 2016 (expired on August 31, 2017, pursuant to 80 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 3). [31]
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog - Red Leopard.jpg 1979 [1]
Maryland Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chesapeake Bay Retriever1.jpg 1964 [1]
Massachusetts Boston Terrier BostonTerrierBrindleStand w.jpg 1979 [1]
New Hampshire Chinook Mountan Laurel Ajax the Chinook dog.jpg 2009 [9]
North Carolina Plott Hound Plotthund Kynnagardens Ziggy Lundamo.JPG 1989 [1]
Pennsylvania Great Dane 8675eds win.jpg 1965 [32]
South Carolina Boykin Spaniel Boykin Spaniel Cropped.jpg 1985 [33]
Tennessee Bluetick Coonhound BluetickCoonhound.jpg 2019 [34]
Texas Blue Lacy SB 8277397.jpg 2005 [35]
Virginia American Foxhound AmericanFoxhound2.jpg 1966 [36]
Wisconsin American Water Spaniel Chien d'eau americain champion 1.JPG 1985 [37]

Proposed dog breeds

The table below shows the dog breeds which have been proposed to each state's relevant State Senate or House of Representatives, but either were not accepted as a state symbol or are still pending nominations.

StateDog breedImageYear proposedRef.
Georgia Golden Retriever Golden Retriever standing Tucker.jpg 1991 [10]
Georgia English bulldog CH Buck and Sons Evita Peron.jpg 2016 [38]
Kansas Cairn Terrier Cairn Terrier - 002.jpg 2012 [15]
Maine Labrador Retriever Jack daniels08.jpg 2015 [39]
Ohio Labrador Retriever Jack daniels08.jpg 2015 [40]
Oregon Newfoundland Bearb josh04 07.JPG 2015 [41]
Washington Siberian Husky Siberian-husky.jpg 2004 [11]

Designations other than breed

StateDesignationImageYear of designationRef.
Georgia "Adoptable dog" Dog in animal shelter in Washington, Iowa.jpg 2016 [38]
New Jersey The Seeing Eye Dog The Seeing Eye, main building, Morris Township, NJ.jpg 2019 [42]
New York Working dog Labrador Retriever assistance dog.jpg 2015 [43] [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siberian Husky</span> Dog breed

The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working sled dog breed. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly furred double coat, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings, and is smaller than the similar-looking Alaskan Malamute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pit bull</span> Type of dog

Pit bull is an umbrella term for several types of dog believed to have descended from bull and terriers. In the United States, the term is usually considered to include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and sometimes the American Bulldog, along with any crossbred dog that shares certain physical characteristics with these breeds. In other countries, including the United Kingdom, the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed specifically, while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not considered a pit bull. Most pit bull–type dogs descend from the British bull and terrier, a 19th-century dog-fighting type developed from crosses between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Kennel Club</span> American purebreed dog registry

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official forming of the AKC, the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship. The AKC is a non-member partner with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. The AKC recognizes 200 dog breeds, as of 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airedale Terrier</span> Dog breed

The Airedale Terrier, also called Bingley Terrier and Waterside Terrier, is a dog breed of the terrier type that originated in the valley (dale) of the River Aire, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is traditionally called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds. The Airedale was bred from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier and the Otterhound and probably some other Terrier breeds, and has contributed to other dog breeds, such as the Yorkshire Terrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sled dog</span> Working dog

A sled dog is a dog trained and used to pull a land vehicle in harness, most commonly a sled over snow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaskan Malamute</span> Dog breed

The Alaskan Malamute is a large breed of dog that was originally bred for its strength and endurance, to haul heavy freight as a sled dog, and as a hound. It is similar to other arctic breeds such as the husky, the spitz, the Greenland Dog, Canadian Eskimo Dog, the Siberian Husky, and the Samoyed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Terrier</span> Dog breed

The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as a Yorkie, is a British breed of toy dog of terrier type. It is among the smallest of the terriers and indeed of all dog breeds, with a weight of no more than 3.2 kg (7 lb). It originated in the nineteenth century in the English county of Yorkshire, after which it is named. The coat is tan on the head and dark steel-grey on the body; no other colour is accepted by either The Kennel Club or the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Working dog</span> Dog trained to perform practical tasks

A working dog is a dog used to perform practical tasks, as opposed to pet or companion dogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sealyham Terrier</span> Dog breed

The Sealyham Terrier is a rare Welsh breed of small to medium-sized terrier that originated in Wales as a working dog. It is principally a white-bodied, rough-coated breed, developed in the mid-to-late-19th century by Captain John Edwardes at Sealyham House, Pembrokeshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakeland Terrier</span> Dog breed

The Lakeland Terrier is a dog breed, which takes its name from its place of origin, the Lake District in England. The dog is a small to mid-size member of the Terrier family. While independent in personality, it interacts well with owners and all family members. In the United Kingdom, the Lakeland Terrier is considered a vulnerable dog breed at risk of going extinct through low levels of breeding, according to The Kennel Club. In the United States, the Lakeland Terrier ranked 148 out of 193 breeds by number of American Kennel Club puppy registrations in 2019.

Toy dog traditionally refers to a very small dog or a grouping of small and very small breeds of dog. A toy dog may be of any of various dog types. Types of dogs referred to as toy dogs may include spaniels, pinschers and terriers that have been bred down in size. Not all toy dogs are lap dogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Kennel Club</span> Kennel club in the United States

The United Kennel Club (UKC) is a kennel club founded in 1898 in the United States. In contrast with the American Kennel Club, which is non-profit and which only clubs can join, the United Kennel Club is a profit-making corporation, open to individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Companion dog</span> Dog intended as a human companion

A companion dog is a dog which is not primarily a working dog but a pet. The primary function of a companion dog is not to perform a useful job but to provide companionship to humans. A companion dog can also be called an emotional support animal and is used to help people with mental health disabilities cope with symptoms. Most dogs can be companions, including many working dog breeds such as retrievers, who are enjoyed primarily for their friendly nature as a pet. Most toy dog breeds are used only for the pleasure of their company, not as workers. The American Kennel Club also offers a Companion dog title for judged dog obedience competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Pit Bull Terrier</span> American dog breed

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but not the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is a medium-sized, short-haired dog, of a solid build, whose early ancestors came from England. When compared with the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier is larger by margins of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in height and 25–35 pounds (11–16 kg) in weight. The American Pit Bull Terrier varies in size: males are normally about 18–21 inches (45–53 cm) in height and around 35–60 pounds (15–27 kg) in weight, while females are normally around 17–20 inches (43–50 cm) in height and 30–50 pounds (13–22 kg) in weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weight pulling</span> Dog sport

Weight pulling is a dog sport involving a dog pulling a cart or sled loaded with weight a short distance across dirt/gravel, grass, carpet, or snow. It is a modern adaptation of freighting, in which dogs were used as freight animals to move cargo.

The Moscow Water Dog, also known as the Moscow Diver, Moscow Retriever or Moskovsky Vodolaz, was a little-known dog breed derived from the Newfoundland, Caucasian Shepherd Dog and East European Shepherd. It is now extinct, but was used in the development of the Black Russian Terrier. The Moscow Water Dog was produced only by the Red Star Kennels, the state-operated organization chartered to provide working dogs for the armed services of the Soviet Union. The breeding program was discontinued as the dogs would attack drowning victims instead of saving them.

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The potcake dog or American Village Dog is a mixed-breed dog type found on several Caribbean islands. Its name comes from a traditional local dish of seasoned rice and pigeon peas; overcooked rice that sticks to the bottom of the cooking pot is commonly mixed with other leftovers and fed to the dogs. Although appearance varies, potcakes generally have smooth coats, cocked ears, and long faces.

Dogs in the United States have significant popularity and status – they are often treated as family members. Currently, the American Kennel Club is the largest registry of pure breed dogs across the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaskan husky</span> Dog breed

The Alaskan husky is a breed of medium-sized working sled dog, developed specifically for its performance as such.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hazlehurst, John (February 29, 2008). "Commentary: Colorado legislature is long overdue for selecting a state dog". The Colorado Springs Business Journal. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  2. ↑ McAuliffe, Emily (2003). Pennsylvania Facts and Symbols. Bridgestone Books. p. 21. ISBN   978-0-7368-2268-8. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Plott Thickens as Committee O.K.s Official State Dog". The Dispatch. April 19, 1989. p. 15. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  4. ↑ "AKC Kennel Club: Boston Terrier". American Kennel Club. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  5. ↑ "AKC Kennel Club: Alaskan Malamute". American Kennel Club. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  6. ↑ Hart, Joyce (2004). Pennsylvania. Benchmark Books. p. 5. ISBN   978-0-7614-1691-3.
  7. ↑ "Great Dane Whips Beagle". Toledo Blade. October 14, 1959. p. 9. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Governor signs bill making the Alaska Malamute Alaska's state dog". Sit News. May 14, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Hogan, Cara (December 15, 2010). "Pelham girl seeks to make purple the state color". Eagle Tribune. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Senator wants a state dog". Star News. February 25, 1991. p. 2B. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Surviving bills and some that didn't". The Spokesman Review. February 18, 2004. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Best in snow? Bill would make Labrador retriever Minnesota's top dog". MPR News. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  13. ↑ Kranes, Marsha (February 4, 2006). "Pol Shepherds an Official State Dog". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Wichita resident wants 'Toto' breed named state dog of Kansas". Lawrence Journal-World. May 13, 2006. p. 2B. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Toto as state dog of Kansas? Bad idea, PETA says". LA Times. February 3, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  16. 1 2 "'Working dog' designated as NY's official state dog", Niagara Gazette , AP, December 24, 2015, archived from the original on December 29, 2019, retrieved December 29, 2019
  17. ↑ "Delaware State Animals". Delaware.gov. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  18. ↑ "South Dakota Facts". Travel South Dakota. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Minnesota State Symbols—Unofficial, Proposed, or Facetious". Minnesota State Legislature. Archived from the original on August 8, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  20. ↑ O'Conner, Coleen (March 22, 2013). "Kids fight for abandoned dogs and cats to become Colorado state pets". Denver Post. Archived from the original on March 25, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Shelter Dogs, Cats Now Colorado's Official State Pet". CBS Denver. May 13, 2013. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Colorado Senate Bill 13-201" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. ↑ McVety, Molly (June 5, 2023). "So long, golden retriever. Delaware has new official state dog". Delaware Online .
  25. ↑ spcala.com/press-release/legislature-declares-shelter-pet-as-official-california-state-pet/
  26. ↑ leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/asm/ab_0051-0100/acr_56_bill_20150420_introduced.htm
  27. ↑ "5 ILCS 460/ State Designations Act". www.ilga.gov. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  28. ↑ "2018 Georgia Code :: Title 50 – State Government :: Chapter 3 – State Flag, Seal, and Other Symbols :: Article 3 – Other State Symbols :: § 50-3-88. Definitions; adoptable dog designated as the official state dog". Justia Law. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Alaskan malamute becomes latest official state dog". The Washington Post. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  30. ↑ Boots, Patrick (October 2, 2024). "It's official – Siberian husky named Connecticut state dog". The Daily Campus . Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Title 29 – Chapter 3. State Seal, Song and Symbols". delcode.delaware.gov. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Symbols of Pennsylvania". Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  33. ↑ Braswell, Tommy (February 21, 2006). "Boykin spaniel reigns as state's official dog". The Post and Courier. p. 2E. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  34. ↑ "TN HB0999". LegiScan. LegiScan. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Texas State Symbols". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  36. ↑ Kilpatrick, James J. (August 1, 1968). "White Ella Runs Again". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 4. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Wisconsin State Symbols". Wisconsin.gov. Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  38. 1 2 Salzer, James (February 22, 2016). "Pooch fight: Senators want Uga's breed as Georgia's official state dog". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Archived from the original on April 25, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Forget Maine Coon cats! Labs want to be 'state dogs'". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  40. ↑ "This may soon become Ohio's state dog, and it couldn't be a better fit". Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  41. ↑ "A state dog for Oregon? Newfoundland suggested for the job (poll)". The Oregonian/OregonLive. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  42. ↑ Michaels, Shawn (January 22, 2020), "New Jersey has a new state dog", wobm.com, archived from the original on January 23, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2020
  43. ↑ "Section 90. State dog", New York Consolidated Laws, State Law, Article 6, archived from the original on December 26, 2019, retrieved December 26, 2019


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