Dogs of State Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chesapeake Bay retriever

The Chesapeake Bay retriever was favored among commercial waterfowl hunters around the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland and Virginia where the breed was developed. Its double coat, consisting of a dense, woolly under coat and harsh, oily outer coat, along with its water aptitude allow it to work in any weather conditions, often snow and ice. It has been said that these dogs can perform up to 100-200 retrieves in one day. It is one of few breeds in the AKC where "honorable scars" are permitted in conformation competition, due to the purpose for which they were bred.

Maryland recognized the Chesapeake Bay Retriever as its state dog in 1964, making it the first state in the nation to recognize a state dog.

Answer: Catahoula leopard dog (aka Catahoula cur)

One theory on the origin of this breed is it results from the 'cross of Choctaw Indians' (Native Americans in north central La) and dogs brought to America via Hernando de Soto. The second theory is that this breed was produced when the French crossed their Beauceron with the Choctaws' dog in the 19th century.
The Catahoula leopard dog is known for its skills herding wild cattle and swine by forming a "canine fence", a unique feature of this breed. Catahoulas are only bred for this instinct; pups lacking this instinct are not bred.

Answer: American water spaniel

Thanks to Dr. Fred J Pfeifer's work in breeding and publicizing this breed did not become extinct. However, this breed is still rare, ranking 141 out of 175 AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized breeds.

Answer: Boykin spaniel

The Boykin was recognized as South Carolina's state dog in 1985, much earlier than 2009 when the AKC (American Kennel Club) officially recognized the breed. The Boykin is a versatile hunter; its small size makes it ideal for hunting in swamps and out of boats.

It is also desirable as family dog. Some believe the American water spaniel largely influenced this breed, and that "Dumpy" may have actually been an American water spaniel. Boykin enthusiasts fiercely contest this.

Answer: Blue Lacy

The Blue Lacy is named for its founders, the Lacy brothers. This breed excels at herding, but can be used in other working capacities such as hunting wild boar. This breed is thought to be the only dog to originate from Texas.

Answer: American foxhound

The American foxhound has been bred for four distinct purposes: field trials, fox hunting, trail (aka drag) hunting, and pack hunting. George Washington is considered the father of this breed as he was an avid foxhunter as well as a meticulous breeder of his French and English foxhounds, of which became the foundation stock of the American foxhound we know today.

Answer: Plott hound

Though the Plott's main purpose is to tree or bring to bay large game such as bears and wild boar, the AKC (American Kennel Club) listed the Plott as a coonhound because coonhunters are "more numerous" than bear and wild boar hunters... I wonder if the number of hunters has anything to do with the nature of their quarry?

Answer: Boston terrier

The Boston terrier breed did in fact, start in Boston, Mass. The foundation sire was a dog nicknamed "Hooper's Judge" (Judge was the dog's name, Hooper was the owner's surname).

Answer: Alaskan malamute

Of the arctic sled dogs, the Alaskan Malamute is thought to be the oldest.

Answer: Great Dane

A Frenchman first saw this dog in Denmark and called it "le Grande Denois", meaning Great Dane. Evidently, the name stuck even though this breed hails from Germany. The Great Dane was considered the "best friend" of William Penn, the founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.