While surfing the web today I became curious about Official State Dogs. I was surprised to discover that it appears there are only 9 states with official state dogs. Only 9 out of 50? Kansas would make it ten but their state dog isn’t official yet.
I have to admit that I never thought about this until now. Since dogs have been our pets for the past 12,000 years, I want to know why there aren’t more U.S. states with official dogs.
Here’s the list of states and their official dogs that I found:
- Maryland: Chesapeake Bay Retriever - State dog 1964
- Pennsylvania: Great Dane - Official dog 1965
- Virginia: American Foxhound - Official dog 1966
- Louisiana: Louisiana Catahoula Leopard - Dog Official State dog 1979
- Massachusetts: Boston Terrier - Dog or dog emblem 1979
- South Carolina: Boykin Spaniel - Official dog 1985
- North Carolina: Plott Hound - Official dog 1989
- Wisconsin: American Water Spaniel - State dog 1985
- Texas: Blue Lacy - Official State dog breed 2005
State Dogs waiting for approval:
- * Kansas *: Cairn Terrier - (state dog, not yet official)
- * Alaska *: Malamute - (House Bill 14 to go before the legislature 2009)
- * New Hampshire *: Chinoock - (Approved by Senate 2009)
I find it odd that Alaska, for instance, has their state sport listed as “Dog Mushing” which was adopted in 1972. They didn’t pick a state dog even though they have the “Alaskan Malamute” which is one of the 14 ancient breeds.
Alaska Update: February 26th and 27th 5 Polaris K-12 kids were brought to Juneau to lobby the legislature on this issue. (Thanks to Pat for the information)
This made me to look for more state symbols. I was curious. I found a lot of states with fossils, 18 states, and it seems like they were popular across the country with 11 states adding fossils as state symbols during the 1980’s.
So why don’t more states have a state dog? I think it’s because they would have a hard time picking from the 700 or so breeds of purebred dogs. If your state doesn’t have an official state dog, this could be your opportunity to propose one to your legislative branch.
I think someone in Alaska needs to recommend the Alaskan Malamute for their state dog. I would think that would be a no-brainer.
Update: Kudos to the Anchorage Polaris K-12 kids and the students from Bedford NH for all their efforts!
Originally Published 10/22/2008
October 23rd, 2008 - 3:22 am
Only 10 out of 50? That’s too bad. Alaska should definitely have the Malamute
January 27th, 2009 - 4:22 pm
Recently legislation has been introduced in Alaska to make the Malamute the official state dog. The initiative was initially proposed by a group of elementary students in Anchorage.
January 27th, 2009 - 4:39 pm
Thanks for the update Paul!
I think it’s awesome that the elementary students took the initiative to the legislature. What a great learning experience for them!
I hope their proposal passes and Alaska finally gets their own state dog. I’ll be watching for the news of it’s passage.
DB Dog
February 28th, 2009 - 3:41 pm
February 26th and 27th we brought 5 Polaris K-12 kids to Juneau to lobby the legislature on this issue. House bill 14 will go to the house for a vote within a week or so.
Pat
March 2nd, 2009 - 12:58 am
Excellent Pat! Please let us know what happens with House Bill 14. I’m sure all the kids worked very hard to bring the initiative before the House. They must be very excited and I’m proud of everyone’s effort.
I’m hoping for a new state dog for Alaska!
Looks like another set of students from Bedford NH were behind a move to get New Hampshire to name the Chinook as their state dog. The Senate approved the designation so now it goes before the house.
DB Dog
April 26th, 2009 - 8:56 pm
Only 9 or 50 is surprising. And I’ve lived in Texas on and off for years and have never seen a Blue Lacy. See plenty of Catahoulas, tho… Someone needs the mutt as the state dog. I’d vote for that.