State Animals, Pets, and Snacks of Illinois
Illinois has no official state dog. The white-tailed deer is Illinois’s state animal. Schoolchildren selected it in 1980. In Illinois, dog owners must keep dogs leashed on public property. If a dog escapes, its owner can be responsible for damage. Nationwide there are more dogs than cats. The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog originated from Native American dogs breeds. Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Retriever is linked to two rescued Newfoundland dogs. Drawing attention to shelter animals is good. We have adopted five rescued dogs and cats. The painted turtle was named Illinois’s state reptile in 2005. Its yellow head stripes and webbed feet identify it. Pets are considered property in Illinois. Animal cruelty is prohibited in Illinois. In 2017, shelter dogs and cats were named Illinois’s state pet. Illinois’s state snack food is popcorn. Illinois has 47,000 acres of popcorn farms.
Official State Dogs
States with Official Dogs
Thirteen states have official state dog breeds. Maryland first named the Chesapeake Bay Retriever in 1964. Pennsylvania followed, naming the Great Dane. Alaska’s 2010 official state dog is the Alaskan Malamute. A group of schoolchildren petitioned to have it named. The governor signed the bill before the kids. Georgia named adoptable shelter dogs the state dog. Louisiana’s 1979 state dog is the Catahoula Leopard Dog. The kids worked to present the malamute idea successfully to legislature. Other official state dogs are also indigenous to their states. These include the Boston Terrier (Massachusetts) and the Alaskan Malamute (Alaska).
Potential State Dogs
Most states have not chosen an official dog yet. The list of states with dogs includes Alaska, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Alaska has the Alaskan Malamute. Louisiana has the Catahoula Leopard Dog. Maryland has the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Massachusetts has the Boston Terrier. New Hampshire has the Chinook. North Carolina has the Plott Hound. Pennsylvania has the Great Dane.
State Dog Considerations
Some states have proposed state dogs, but were either not accepted or are still pending. Illinois, for example, has no official state dog yet. Its state animal is the white-tailed deer, selected by schoolchildren in 1980. The state snack is popcorn, with 47,000 popcorn farm acres. Animal cruelty is prohibited in Illinois. Nationwide more dogs exist than cats. Shelter dogs and cats became Illinois’s state pet in 2017.
The Catahoula Leopard Dog originated from Native American breeds. Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Retriever links to two rescued Newfoundlands. Drawing attention to shelter dogs is good. We have adopted five rescued pets. State dogs reflect history. The Alaskan Malamute fits Alaska’s climate. Louisiana’s Catahoula Leopard Dog developed in North America. North Carolina’s Plott Hound was the state’s only indigenous breed.