Official State Dogs

Introduction

While nearly every State has chosen a mammal or animal emblem as their State mascot, only 9 American States have choosen a dog breed as their state animal or emblem. The first dog breed choosen as a State mascot was the Chesapeake Bay Retriever for the State of Maryland in 1964. Only three States have officially enacted their choice of a dog breed as their state animal, namely Louisiana (Catahoula Leopard dog, 1979), Texas (Blue Lacy, 2005) and Alaska (Alaskan Malamute, 2010).

States that have a dog as official state animal

Louisiana: Catahoula Leopard dog

Maryland: Chesapeake Bay Retriever
According to the legend an English vessel shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland in the early nineteenth century. Among the survivors were two young dogs of a Newfoundland breed. Supposedly bred to local coonhounds, they evolved into the present-day Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Massachusetts: Boston Terrier

New Hampshire: Chinook

North Carolina: Plott Hound

Pennsylvania: Great Dane

South Carolina: Boykin Spaniel

Texas: Blue Lacy

Virginia: American Foxhound

Wisconsin: American Water Spaniel

Other countries that have a dog as their official state emblem

Ireland has the Irish Wolfhound as its mascot for the Irish Guards.

UK and England: Bulldog

Other State Animals:

Cats

Maine: Maine Coon Cat

Maryland: Calico Cat

Horses:

Alabama: Racking horse

Idaho: Appaloosa horse

Kentucky: Thoroughbred horse

The Canine Information Library 2003-2009 © All rights reserved. Original idea, design and development by C. Marien-de Luca. Photos of the Canine Info mascots (upper right corner, from left to right) Husky pup and European wolf cub by Eric Isselée, Catahoula leopard dog by Nikki Ott (Double Ott's Catahoulas).
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