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List of U.S. state dogs

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A map of the United States with Alaska, Wisconsin and Texas in red along with a swathe of the north eastern states.
A map of the US showing in red which states have a specified dog breed as an official symbol

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

Other official state dogs indigenous to their state include 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 as a hunting and working dog;[6] it was chosen over the Beagle which was also proposed around the same time.[7]

Two 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 convinced 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 their state dog in 2010.[9]

Georgia's attempt to adopt the Golden Retriever failed a vote in the Georgia State Senate in 1991; an opposing campaign promoted the Bulldog, the mascot of the University of Georgia.[10] The Washington House of Representatives rejected a campaign to adopt the Siberian Husky 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 adopt a dog as a state symbol;[13] in 2015, the "working dog"—animals trained for service roles—was adopted.[14] During the 2008 campaign to name the western painted turtle as Colorado's state reptile, local press suggested the Labrador Retriever as a suitable symbol, although not native to the state.[1] Kansas residents suggested the Cairn Terrier as state dog in 2006 due to its appearance as Toto in the film The Wizard of Oz.[15] Kansas representative Ed Trimmer tabled a bill proposing the Cairn Terrier in 2012.[16]

South Dakota does not have a state dog but lists the coyote—a canine species related to the dog—as its state wildlife animal.[17][18] Legislation has been proposed on six occasions in Minnesota to adopt the eastern timber wolf—another canine— as state animal.[19] Arkansas adopted the Labrador Retriever in April 2025.[20]

In 2013, Colorado made rescue dogs and cats as the state pet,[21][22][23] as did Tennessee in 2014,[24] California in 2015 (to promote pet adoptions from shelters),[25][26] Illinois in 2017,[27] Georgia in 2018 ("adoptable dogs"),[28] and Delaware in 2023 (replacing the Golden Retriever).[29]

State dog breeds

[edit]
State Dog breed Image Year of designation Ref.
Alaska Alaskan Malamute A white and grey husky-like dog faces left. Its tail curves over its back. 2010 [30]
Arkansas Labrador Retriever side view of a yellow dog in a grassy field, facing left 2025 [20]
Connecticut Siberian Husky A dark grey and white wolf like dog faces left in profile. 2024 [31]
Delaware Golden Retriever A golden fluffy colored medium-size dog faces left in a woodland setting. 2016 (expired on August 31, 2017, pursuant to 80 Del. Laws, c. 365, § 3). [32]
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog A mottled brown dog with a white chest faces right. It wears a red collar. 1979 [1]
Maine Seppala Siberian sleddog Two dogs in sled harnesses 2025 [33]
Maryland Chesapeake Bay Retriever A brown dog faces left. 1964 [1]
Massachusetts Boston Terrier A brown and white dog turns to face the camera. Its ear's stand up on top of its head. 1979 [1]
New Hampshire Chinook A light brown dog stands in woodland. It faces left but has turned its head to face the camera. 2009 [9]
North Carolina Plott Hound A dark colored mottled dog faces right while sniffing the ground. 1989 [1]
Pennsylvania Great Dane A large white dog with black patches stands next to a trophy. 1965 [34]
South Carolina Boykin Spaniel A brown spaniel faces the camera in the snow. 1985 [35]
Tennessee Bluetick Coonhound 2019 [36]
Texas Blue Lacy A dark grey colored dog faces just to the right, it wears a large tag on its collar. 2005 [37]
Virginia American Foxhound A mostly white dog with black and brown markings faces left with its head turned to the camera. 1966 [38]
Wisconsin American Water Spaniel A curly coated dark brown colored spaniel stands next to its owner. 1985 [39]

Proposed dog breeds

[edit]

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.

State Dog breed Image Year proposed Ref.
Georgia Golden Retriever A golden fluffy colored medium-size dog faces left in a woodland setting. 1991 [10]
Georgia English bulldog A stocky brown and white dog. 2016 [40]
Kansas Cairn Terrier A small mottled brown dog. 2012 [16]
Ohio Labrador Retriever A black Labrador Retriever at a confirmation show 2015 [41]
Oregon Newfoundland Black Newfoundland 2015 [42]
Washington Siberian Husky A dark grey and white wolf like dog faces left in profile. 2004 [11]

Designations other than breed

[edit]
State Designation Image Year of designation Ref.
Georgia "Adoptable dog" "Dog in animal shelter" 2016 [40]
New Jersey The Seeing Eye Dog "A Seeing Eye Dog" 2019 [43]
New York Working dog "A labrador retriever in service as a guide dog" 2015 [44][14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "'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
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ a b "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.
  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. ^ a b Garcia, Mario (April 22, 2025). "Arkansas State Dog 2025: Labrador Retriever Officially Chosen!". Kicker 102.5. Townsquare Media, Inc. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "Colorado Senate Bill 13-201" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  24. ^ "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)
  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. ^ McVety, Molly (June 5, 2023). "So long, golden retriever. Delaware has new official state dog". Delaware Online.
  30. ^ "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.
  31. ^ Boots, Patrick (October 2, 2024). "It's official – Siberian husky named Connecticut state dog". The Daily Campus. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  32. ^ "Title 29 – Chapter 3. State Seal, Song and Symbols". delcode.delaware.gov. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  33. ^ St Pierre, Ariana (April 29, 2025). "Seppala Siberian sleddog named Maine's official state dog". WGME-TV. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  34. ^ "Symbols of Pennsylvania". Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  35. ^ Braswell, Tommy (February 21, 2006). "Boykin spaniel reigns as state's official dog". The Post and Courier. p. 2E. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  36. ^ "TN HB0999". LegiScan. LegiScan. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  37. ^ "Texas State Symbols". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  38. ^ Kilpatrick, James J. (August 1, 1968). "White Ella Runs Again". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 4. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  39. ^ "Wisconsin State Symbols". Wisconsin.gov. Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  40. ^ a b 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.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ "A state dog for Oregon? Newfoundland suggested for the job (poll)". The Oregonian/OregonLive. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  43. ^ 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
  44. ^ "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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