Melinda Costanzo of North Reading, Mass., was sleeping in on a Saturday morning when loud noises downstairs awakened her. It didn't turn out to be quite what she thought.
Only a handful of states across the nation have named official canine representatives, but there seems to be a common thread among those that do: they have a habit of choosing breeds that have ties to hunting.
Here's a photo of me doing my best, apparently, to prevent the spread of invasive species. You see, the non-profit conservation group Wildlife Forever (WF) has launched a campaign encouraging duck hunters to wash their dogs, lest our furry mutts spread invasive aquatic species such as the dreaded zebra mussel.
Eastern Shore market hunters loved the Chesapeake Bay retriever. The new breed fetched ducks all day and guarded the boat all night—just what these men needed.