Kansas State Dog: Toto, 'Wizard Of Oz' Dog Breed Won't Be Official State Dog

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — There may be no place like home, but don't tell Toto.

A Kansas House committee squashed a bid Monday to make the cairn terrier, a breed perhaps best known as that of Dorothy's canine sidekick in "The Wizard of Oz," the state's official dog.

Democratic state Rep. Ed Trimmer told the Wichita Eagle (http://bit.ly/yt9yEb ) he plans to reintroduce the bill next year. And Brenda Moore, a South Central Kansas Kennel Club official who first proposed the idea, says she plans to drum up public support for it this summer.

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals opposed the measure, saying it believes it would cause Kansas puppy mills to "churn out litter after litter of the breed" and lead to fewer adoptions from animal shelters.

Comments

[blurredmolly]

10:02 AM on 03/14/2012

I nominate Sam Bareback, or is it Brownback. I get so confused.....

[lw1]

10:08 PM on 03/13/2012

Cairns are the best!!!!!!

[journ student]

10:05 PM on 03/13/2012

Seeing as many if not most Kansans get sick and tired of constant Wizard of Oz jokes and references, I see this as a blessing.

[Felicia Hunter]

07:48 PM on 03/13/2012

PETA is right.... there will be a huge abundance of Carin Terriers if they do go through with this.

[JackMadison]

06:56 PM on 03/13/2012

Anything stating an animal is "this" or "that" is irresponsible in our society anymore. I love dogs, grew up in Kansas, but PETA is right here. It is intricate and too detailed for most to comprehend but our country needs to strengthen our ability to care not only for each other, but for animals in the proper way.
There are just too many atrocities to add to the list.
Besides, people in Kansas might start eating this type of dog considering the iQ level and waistlines of most people there.

[averagezoe]

07:34 PM on 03/13/2012

FANNED!!! You are absolutely right! Declaring any type of dog a state dog would only result in more idiots having to have one and cause most of them to end up on the street, at rescues or being euthanized by Animal Control. This happens every time a certain breed is touted in a special way - remember the Dalmation movie? After every moron had to have one, rescues were overflowing and even my group had to start euthanizing - there were just too many. A hick state like Kansas should adopt the slug if they really want a state mascot.

[averagezoe]

10:15 PM on 03/13/2012

FANNED! You are completely right. Anytime a certain breed is touted in the movies or the media, it's a disaster. Every moron has to have one and after the thrill wears off, the dogs end up on the street, taken in by rescues or killed at Animal Control. My rescue group seldom euthanizes, but soon after the 101 Dalmatian movie, every group was overflowing with Dalmations - the puppies that had grown bigger were no longer wanted and there was just nowhere for them to go. A state like Kansas would do better to declare a boll weavel their official mascot, easier to dump when people get tired of them.

[Lindsgrace33]

06:40 PM on 03/13/2012

Aw man, I thought what would have been so cool.

[Roz Weinstock Birnbaum]

06:17 PM on 03/13/2012

The argument that they will churn out more Cairns is ridiculous. If it's not this, it will be something else. I think it's a great idea! Make it the state dog...I love cairns...I have one!!! She is the best!