Official State Canine

Labrador Retrievers, generally known as Labradors or simply Labs, are among the most commonly kept dogs in the Western world, particularly the British Isles and North America. In 2025, Act 823 of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly designated this British gun dog as Arkansas’s Official State Canine in recognition of its popularity and, indeed, its near-ubiquity in the world of waterfowling in the Natural State. Thirteen states preceded Arkansas in designating a state canine, but Arkansas was the first to choose the Labrador for the honor.

The breed emerged in the United Kingdom during the early decades of the nineteenth century. The Labrador was bred from a hardy water dog, the St. John’s dog, a fortuitous hybrid of English, Irish, and Portuguese dogs brought to Newfoundland (and left) by European sailors and fishermen. St. John’s dogs varied in appearance since they were bred for function, not profile; their oily coats repelled water, while their webbed feet and thick, oar-like tails made them nimble swimmers. They were alert watchdogs and were sometimes even used on sled teams. It was their aptitude for aquatics, though, that most distinguished the St. John’s dogs: “These dogs are remarkable for their diving powers,” wrote Irish dog authority H. D. Richardson in 1874.

Examples of the breed were brought to southern English ports; these were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever, as well as other variant English retrievers including the larger Newfoundland dog. The first recorded mention of the breed name occurs in 1830, and by 1870 the name Labrador Retriever had become common in England. The breed was recognized by the Kennel Club of Great Britain in 1903, and the first American Kennel Club (AKC) registration was in 1917.

The exact date of the Labrador’s introduction to Arkansas is unknown, but some authorities suggest that British Labradors were first imported to the United States during World War I. The breed’s popularity in the United States blossomed particularly after World War II. While in Britain the Labrador was (and still is) used primarily for upland game hunting, in the United States and Canada, the Labrador has proved to be a gun dog for all ranges, particularly wet ones.

One of the most notable examples of the breed, King Buck, owned by industrialist-sportsman John Olin, won particular fame in mid-century Arkansas. Born in 1948 in Iowa and trained on Olin’s Minnesota farm, King Buck won national retrieving field-trial titles in 1951 and 1952 but had never hunted in rough fallen timber and water. In November 1952, Olin brought his trials champion to Stuttgart (Arkansas County) for their first wild duck hunt. Man and dog stayed at the landmark Riceland Hotel, a mecca for well-heeled duck hunters. A popular story reveals that King Buck was the center of attention at the hotel when he arrived and was offered champagne in his silver trophy bowl. Sensibly, owner Olin poured out the champagne and filled the bowl with water; after Buck had lapped his fill, the bowl was refilled with champagne and passed around to the guests. One man allegedly refused, saying, “I’ll not drink from that bowl after a dog has used it!!” This gracelessness was not appreciated, and the guest was invited to leave the room. The next morning, Buck had his first hunt for wild duck and proved that he was an adept field dog. Olin later remarked, “That first wild duck shoot was his day, every minute of it, and he made the most of it. He was beautiful to watch.”

The Labrador was designated the state canine by HB1886 of the 2025 General Assembly’s regular session, introduced by State Representative Shad Pearce of Batesville (Independence County). The bill’s supporters cited the breed’s affinity and love for water, its popularity among families, and its close identification with waterfowling. During debate, Pearce asserted, “We will be the first state to adopt the Labrador retriever, and [since] we already have a state duck, which is the mallard, we need something to go get it.” Pearce’s measure was enrolled on April 14, 2025, and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed it on April 18. Act 823 placed no requirements on the state for promoting or mentioning the newly honored canine in any publication but allowed state agencies or offices to include such information in future publications.

The Labrador is considered a medium-large breed. The AKC’s standard includes an ideal weight for males of 29–36 kg (65–80 lbs.) and for females of 25–32 kg (55–70 lbs.). The coat should be short and dense, but not wiry, and slightly oily, therefore water-shedding. Acceptable colors are black, yellow, and chocolate. The jaws should be strong and powerful. The muzzle should be of medium length and should not be too tapered. The body should exhibit a “powerful and muscular” build. The AKC breed standard adds that the “true Labrador Retriever temperament”—described in the standard as a “kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal….The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog”—is as much a hallmark of the breed as the “otter” tail.

For additional information:
American Kennel Club Official Standard for the Labrador Retriever. https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/LabradorRetriever.pdf (accessed May 1, 2026).

HB 1886 of 2025. Arkansas General Assembly. https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=HB1886&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R (accessed May 1, 2026).

Pavia, Audrey. The Labrador Retriever Handbook, 2nd ed. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s, 2012.

Richardson, H. D. Dogs: Their Origin and Varieties; Directions as to Their General Management, and Simple Instructions as to Their Treatment under Disease. New York: O. Judd, 1874. Online at https://archive.org/details/dogstheirorigin00richgoog/mode/2up (accessed May 1, 2026).

Wolter, Richard A. The Labrador Retriever: The History…the People…Revisited. New York: Dutton, 1992.

———. Duck Dogs: All About the Retrievers. New York: Dutton, 1990.

Kane Bonsenex
Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office