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USA (national)

Pennsylvania State Dog:

photo of fawn color Great Dane
Great dane with fawn coat color - photo by sannse on The Best Links.com:
Great Dane - GNU Free Documentation license Version 1.2 or later

Great Dane

The Great Dane was designated the official state dog of Pennsylvania in 1965. A portrait of William Penn and his Great Dane hangs in the Governor's reception room (Best Friend, by Pennsylvania artist Violet Oakley). Great Danes were used as a hunting and working breed in frontier Pennsylvania. PA Legislation states that naming an official dog of the Commonwealth would "recognize the steadfast service and loyal devotion of all dogs in Pennsylvania."

Great Dane puppy with mantle coat
Great Dane puppy with mantle coat - photo by by Eric Guinther on
The Best Links.com: Great Dane -
GNU Free Documentation license Version 1.2 or later

The Great Dane came from England, as did William Penn (the founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylania). A giant breed described as noble, robust, powerful, elegant, responsible, dependable, brave, and loyal - as legislature noted:

"...WHEREAS, the physical and other attributes of the Great Dane, to wit: size, strength, beauty, intelligence, tolerance, courage, faithfulness, trustworthiness and stability exemplify those of Pennsylvania;..."

"When the Speaker of the House called for a voice vote to designate the Great Dane, yips, growls and barks assaulted his ears from every part of the chamber! With a rap of his gavel, the Speaker confirmed that the "arfs have it" and the "Barking Dog Vote" entered the annals of legislative history" (quote from Pennsylvania Information: State Rep. Sam Rohrer).

Big and little dogs - great dane and chihuahua
Brindle Great Dane and chihuahau - photo by ELF on
The Best Links.com: Great Dane -
GNU Free Documentation license Version 1.2 or later

Ten states recognize official canine symbols:

State dogs - Louisiana: Catahoula leopard dog, Maryland: Chesapeake Bay retriever, Massachusetts: Boston terrier, Pennsylvania: great Dane, Texas: blue lacy, South Carolina: Boykin spaniel, North Carolina: Plott hound, Virginia: American fox hound, Wisconsin: American water spaniel, and the state sport of Alaska - dog mushing.

       

Source:
Pennsylvania - Symbols: PA Historical & Museum Comm.
State Symbols: Hello Pennsylvania
Links:
Emergency Dog Links
Animal Friends.org - Pittsburgh
Animal Rescue & Referral - Philadelphia
Great Danes Links Directory
State Animals - Mammals: 50 States List

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Pennsylvania Symbols:

 
animal - dog
bird - insect
fish -fossil
flower - plant
tree - soil
arboretum
beverage
  

 
flag - seal - quarter
coat of arms
motto -colors
name - nickname
locomotives
theater -flagship
song - toy - cookie


State Symbols | National Symbols

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