American Water Spaniels, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Springer Spaniels, to form a new breed called the Boykin Spaniel, resulting in a lively, medium-sized dog superb at hunting specifically for the area, most notably around Camden. While not as popular as other Spaniels, the Boykin Spaniel gained a devoted following in the region. In April 1984, the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission endorsed Boykin Spaniels to be the first official state dog. Today, South Carolinians celebrate Boykin Spaniel Day on Sept. 1 each year. Boykin Spaniels have curly coats that come in chocolate, liver, or chestnut, weighing 25-40 pounds and standing 14-18 inches tall. They are fantastic with children and can keep up with their spirited energy as playmates. Enthusiasts love them because they work hard in the field and are also great family dogs after a good hunting session.
serving as companions. These qualities proved extremely useful when migrating to the New World as settlers made Pennsylvania their new home. A portrait of founder William Penn shows a fawn Great Dane by his side said to have been his best friend. For these reasons, the Great Dane was selected over the Beagle in 1965 to become the state’s official dog breed. While they may be massive with their impressive height and build, Great Danes are gentle giants with not an aggressive bone in their bodies. Their goofy love of life and sensitive nature makes them quite the characters, making owners laugh at the silly shenanigans they get into due to their size and personality. Great Danes love playing with and protecting children and are eager to please their owners. It’s no wonder these magnificent dogs were chosen to represent the state of Pennsylvania.
North Carolina: Plott Hound
North Carolina’s state dog, the Plott Hound, is an example of a dog holding special significance in a particular geographic area. Henry Plott resided in the NC mountains, perfecting a combination of hounds brought by his father from Germany mixed with leopard dogs and various other breeds. People traveled from all over to procure a hound from the Plotts due to their superior hunting skills. As popular game dogs, Plott Hounds were primarily used to hunt wild boar and other animals. Their fearless drive, scent abilities, unique bark, and eagerness to catch prey make them excellent hunting dogs. The NC state legislature made the Plott Hound the official dog of North Carolina in 1989, honoring its courageous nature, and the Plott Hound joined the American Kennel Club in 1998.
South Carolina: Boykin Spaniel
Tennessee: Bluetick Coonhound
South Carolina is home to lakes, rivers, and swamps that have been popular hunting grounds for centuries, particularly for waterfowl. As you can imagine, slogging through the swampy wetlands is cumbersome for humans, but not with the help of a trusty canine companion trained to assist hunters. Hunters wanted to create a dog breed with a great sense of hunting that would fit into a boat while exploring the Wateree River Swamp area. Around 1900, Alexander White sent a brown Spaniel mix named Dumpy to Whit Boykin for training. Boykin used a variety of breeds, including
You’re hiking in the dense Appalachian forests of Tennessee, and you hear the unmistakable baying of Bluetick Coonhounds. They’ve been after a scent for hours, never ceasing to stay on the trail. Their fearless, determined nature has brought them to one tree, where you see a raccoon huddled up on a branch. Historically used to hunt critters that climb trees like racoons, these eager dogs bay, bark, and howl when they catch the scent thanks to their sensitive noses and long, floppy ears that trap
Pennsylvania: Great Dane
Contrary to popular belief due to their name, Great Danes aren’t actually native to Denmark. Descended from large dogs of the ancient Roman era, Great Danes were prized in Europe for their guarding and hunting abilities, protecting estates, and carriages,
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 19
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