Governor Edwin Edwards signed House Bill #75 which recognized the significance of Catahoula Cur to Louisiana, naming the Catahoula Leopard Dog the State Dog of Louisiana on July 9, 1979. Today, they are rare outside Louisiana and The South, so you most likely won’t encounter one without exploring the
a Chesapeake Bay Retriever as its mascot in 1966. Nicknamed the “Chessie,” this dog breed excels in both the field and with family with its
large, round eyes, bat-like ears, and smooshed-in noses create an adorable look that has captivated Boston Terrier lovers for over a century.
New Hampshire: Chinook
tireless, affectionate, and intelligent nature. Massachusetts: Boston Terrier One would be correct to assume the Boston Terrier is the state dog of Massachusetts. The Boston Terrier is nicknamed the “American Gentleman” with its dapper tuxedo coloring and friendly, lively personality. The first litter of Boston Terriers was a mix between the English White Terrier and English Bulldogs in 1875 and later bred with Pit Bulls, English Bull Terriers, and Boxers. The breed standard we know today was established in 1883, and the breed’s popularity skyrocketed nationwide. Boston Terriers were chosen as the official state dog of Massachusetts on May 14, 1979, after a persistent campaign thanks to a “feisty Irish lady named Irene Ryan” according to publication descriptions. After 5th graders petitioned to have the Boston Terrier be the state dog and were rejected, Irene continued to advocate for the breed, writing hundreds of letters. She finally succeeded in her massive efforts, and Massachusetts residents can now look to the Boston Terrier as their beloved state dog. Boston Terriers are among the best dog breeds for apartment living and are versatile, happy-go-lucky companions. Their stocky, sturdy little bodies,
You may think a Chinook sounds like a sled dog from the Arctic, like Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes. However, the Chinook is the only sled dog originating in the “Lower 48” in Wonalancet, New Hampshire. Like their Northern cousins, Chinooks thrive in inclement weather conditions and are right at home in a snowstorm while still working hard despite dismal frigid conditions. New Hampshire native Arthur Walden developed his own sled dogs after spending 24 years in Alaska, mixing Siberian Huskies and Greenland Huskies with mastiff-type dogs, and growing his foundation stock with new generations. However, with the death of Walden in 1947, the Chinook’s popularity dipped so low that in 1965, the Guinness Book of World Records reported the Chinook was the rarest dog breed with 125 dogs remaining. Today, they’re still rare with only around 800 in the world. Schoolchildren from Lurgio Middle School wanted to recognize the Chinook as the official state dog of New Hampshire, and the 7th graders were successful in 2009. The Chinook is a patient, devoted, hardworking dog with lots of energy that loves pleasing its family. They grow to be 50-90 pounds and stand 22-26 inches tall as adults and come in 11 beautiful colors like tawny, buff, and red gold.
region. Maryland: Chesapeake Bay Retriever
A sporting dog sprints through the lapping waters of the Chesapeake Bay shoreline, retrieving a duck that’s just gone down. You think it might be a Golden Retriever, but the color is too dark. You can tell by its curly coat that it isn’t a Labrador Retriever, either. What is it? You’ve just seen a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a lesser-known retriever out of the 6 recognized retriever breeds. These dogs hold a unique set of skills perfect for the region where it originated, said to be a mix of shipwrecked Newfoundlands and Coonhounds. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are able to retrieve waterfowl equally well on both land and water, making them exceptional hunting and retrieving dogs well- suited for the marshy waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland holds the honor of recognizing the first official state dog in the US in 1964 by choosing the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The choice was so popular that the University of Maryland, Baltimore County adopted
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 18
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