Twelve states already have an official state dog and we think all of them need one!
By Justyne Yuen-Lee
The Lab leads in popularity
We find our identities in a lot of things "“ horoscopes, birthstones, hobbies, careers, studies, and the list can go on. The search for identity is so extensive that we even spend our time taking quizzes on the Internet to find out what kind of nacho chip we are! Personally, I can think of no more telling quiz than "What kind of dog are you?" I feel like most of us would retake it until we arrived at our favorite breed. Well, Ohio is facing one such dog identity crisis, but appears to have settled on the Labrador Retriever as their official state dog! Now, that's a good choice!
Jeff Rezabek, the Republican representative behind House Bill 539, proposed this fun bill to celebrate his last term in office. Labrador Retrievers have been a part of Rezabek's family over the years and he thinks the breed represents Ohio perfectly.
He said, "Ohio is the heart of it all and the Labrador is the heart of your home." The American Kennel Club contacted him to give their support! The AKC has named the Labrador the top breed for 26 years in a row!
If the bill passes, the Lab joins other state symbols like the Isotelus Trilobite, the state fossil, and "Hang on Sloopy", the state's rock song.
Here are the other states that have official state dogs:
- Alaska: Alaskan Malamute
- Delaware: Golden Retriever
- Louisiana: Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Maryland: Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
- 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
Photo: Instagram / @malamutemoosh
Every state choice has relevance to the way the people of that region represent themselves. Alaska, for example, chose the Malamute "“ a dog used in mushing (the official state sport). And Maryland chose the Chesapeake Bay Retriever as this dog was first bred in Chesapeake Bay. Other states chose state dogs based on hunting skill, University mascots, or temperament. If you were a state, which dog would represent you?
We sure hope House Bill 539 passes "“ doggos are a good identifier!
