Oregon Debates a State Dog

Tuesday, 31 August 2010 | by Pat's Picks

Wisconsin already a state microbe, so why shouldn’t Oregon appoint a state dog? The Oregonian says the latest debate in the beaver state revolves around just that—to name or not to name border collies the official dog of Oregon.  The dogs, which are used to round up cattle, are a staple in rural parts of the state. The plan’s most vocal backer, a rancher by the name of Ron Folck, says sheep and border collies were instrumental in building the West. According to the paper, 11 other states have already christened a state pooch but in those cases, their connection to the breed in question is more overt. Massachusetts, for example, named Boston Terriers their canine mascot several years ago.