October 1 is National Fire Pup Day and also National Black Dog Day!

Scroll over the image above to meet some of our black arson dogs. Here are some other fun facts:

  • Dominant gene – black is the most common color of Labrador retriever.
  • Mattie was the world’s first operational arson dog – the black lab began training in May 1986 and became operational in August 1986. Mattie retired in 1997 after 11 years of service with the Connecticut State Police.
  • The first State Farm Arson Dog training class took place in February 1993. In that class, 4 of the 5 dogs trained were black Labs.
  • Since 1993 State Farm has funded the acquisition and training of arson dogs, placing more than 360 teams with police and fire departments across North America.
  • There are currently 91 active teams in the State Farm arson dog program. Of those teams, 49 of the dogs are black Labs.

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