group of enthusiasts brought them back. Although rare, one can find Blue Lacy dogs as far away as Canada,
smells. People who reside in western Tennessee especially are fans of Bluetick Coonhounds, as the University of Tennessee adopted one as its mascot in 1953. Smokey the Bluetick Coonhound is in his 10th generation encouraging fans to cheer for their school.
Virginia: American Foxhound
It’s fitting that the first exclusively American dog breed was developed by one of the first Founding Fathers of our nation, George Washington. As an avid fox hunter and dog lover, Washington aimed to breed a new type of dog with “speed, sense, and brains” as he wrote in one of his journal entries, mixing British hounds and local dogs. He called these energetic, sleek dogs American Foxhounds. Several paintings commemorating his love for these dogs can be seen in galleries across the nation. The Virginia Commonwealth adopted the American Foxhound as the official state dog of Virginia during the 1966 Session of the Virginia General Assembly signed by Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr. This kind, sweet, loyal, and hardworking dog embodies the spirit of the early American colonists and national spirit. American Foxhounds, a mix of British hounds and local dogs, were once found in just about every colonial town but are now very rare. Their excellent sense of smell and boundless energy prove extremely valuable during hunting sessons. Back at home, the American Foxhound is gentle, affectionate and smart. Article gathered from https://www. pawrade.com/resource/breed- highlights/meet-13-official-state-dogs- of-the-usa
prized for their agile, diligent help herding livestock and other activities like trailing, tracking, and treeing wild game. Wisconsin: American Water Spaniel True to its name, the American Water Spaniel is an American dog rooted in the Great Lakes region that excels in water-based hunting and sports. Their webbed feet, excellent swimming and hunting abilities, and agile, muscular build make them a favorite for sporting activities. American Water Spaniels are small enough to ride in a boat and strong enough to retrieve fallen prey, an important combination to the success of Wisconsin pioneers of the time and today. The Wisconsin State Legislature passed a bill in 1986 making the American Water Spaniel the first state dog of Wisconsin thanks to the efforts of 8th graders at Washington Junior High School in New London. American Water Spaniels remained a rare breed seldom seen outside the Great Lakes region since hunters did not want to share this amazing dog with the rest of the world and almost went extinct, saved by dedicated breeders. Lucky owners of this rare breed find the American Water Spaniel is an obedient, smart, and charming dog eager to please their owners, making them great energetic family pets.
Texas: Blue Lacy
Blue Lacy dogs are right at home on the vast ranches and farms of Texas, built to withstand scorching heat under long working hours rounding up and taking care of livestock. The Blue Lacy is the only dog native to Texas and has played a large part in Texas’s ranching history. Brothers Frank, George, Ewin, and Harry Lacy developed the breed standard by crossing grey wolves, Greyhounds, Scenthounds, English Shepherds, and possibly coyotes. The Texas House Resolution 108 spearheaded by the Texas Lacy Game Dog Association stated regarding their reasoning behind the selection, “Blue Lacys were a common fixture on ranches in the Southwest, where it was said that one such dog could do the work of five cowboys; intelligent, energetic, fast, eager to work, and easy to train and handle, Lacys herded cattle, hogs, and chickens, and also served as droving and hunting dogs.” Governor Rick Perry officially declared the Blue Lacy as the Texas official state dog on June 18, 2005.
However, Blue Lacy dogs almost went extinct in the 1970s, but a small
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 20
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