SALT LAKE CITY — In Utah, a state known for its diverse symbols like the state emblem, state bird, state flower, and even a state crustacean, the concept of a designated state dog has gained traction. While only 13 states in the country have embraced this idea, Maryland took the lead in 1964 by selecting the Chesapeake Bay Retriever as one of its state symbols.
Fast forward to the present day, where artificial intelligence has revolutionized various aspects of our lives. PetLab Co., a pet information website, utilized generative AI to envision a unique list of state dogs, each representing a specific state based on its history, culture, geography, and wildlife.
For Utah, a state rich in geographical diversity and abundant wildlife, the AI algorithm proposed the “Desert Summit Hound” as the hypothetical state dog. Although not an officially recognized breed, the AI-generated image portrays a majestic Bernese Mountain Dog perched gracefully on a rock in a high-alpine setting, encompassed by rugged peaks, a meandering river, and a vast sky—capturing the essence of Utah’s allure.
The spokesperson from PetLab Co. highlighted, “We leveraged an AI image generator to visualize dog breeds inspired by each state, paying tribute to their unique characteristics and showcasing their individuality.”
Among the intriguing AI-generated state dogs is New York’s “Liberty Bagel Stealer,” depicted as a Pomeranian carrying baked goods, and Indiana’s “Hoosier Bat Terrier,” a terrier with bat wings—an imaginative twist. Arizona’s representative, the “Desert Sun Hound,” features a tribal-print dyed coat, while Idaho’s creation, the “Pomo-Spud,” showcases a dog adorned with potato slices instead of fur—a quirky interpretation.
The spokesperson noted, “Interestingly, the AI-generated dogs predominantly appear as medium to large breeds, deviating from the expected geographical scale, such as Texas’ representation by one of the smallest breeds in the collection.”
