Anne Jordan was a contributing editor to GOVERNING.
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Going to the Dogs
Governing and its readers love 50-state rankings that enable us to make meaningful comparisons among governments. Bucking the tradition of providing useful information, I've assembled some data that have no apparent value to public-sector officials -- unless they are dog lovers.
In honor of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show finals tonight, I've compiled a chart that ranks each state by its number of entries and compares that to its population rank. As you would expect, the number of canine competitors generally corresponds with each state's population.
There are some notable exceptions, however. Connecticut, Delaware and New Hampshire have far more entrants than might be expected, given their size, and Illinois has far fewer. Make of this what you will...and enjoy the show.
Rankings after the jump.
UPDATE: The best of show winner is Diamond Jim, an English Springer Spaniel from Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Show Entries Population State Entries Rank Rank Ala. 14 31 23 Alaska 1 47 47 Ariz. 36 20 16 Ark. 11 35 32 Calif. 283 1 1 Colo. 46 17 22 Conn. 120 7 29 Del. 14 31 45 Fla. 135 5 4 Ga. 57 16 9 Hawaii 7 39 42 Idaho 4 45 39 Ill. 58 15 5 Ind. 35 21 15 Iowa 15 29 30 Kan. 6 41 33 Ky. 26 27 26 La. 24 28 25 Maine 14 31 40 Mass. 102 8 13 Md. 71 12 19 Mich. 70 13 8 Minn. 33 22 21 Miss. 7 39 31 Mo. 37 19 18 Mont. 3 46 44 N.C. 61 14 10 N.D. 0 49 48 N.H. 33 22 41 N.J. 179 4 11 N.M. 11 35 36 N.Y. 253 2 3 Neb. 6 41 38 Nev. 5 43 35 Ohio 78 10 7 Okla. 15 29 28 Ore. 29 25 27 Pa. 198 3 6 R.I. 12 34 43 S.C. 27 26 24 S.D. 1 47 46 Tenn. 30 24 17 Texas 132 6 2 Utah 5 43 34 Va. 84 9 12 Vt. 10 37 49 W.Va. 8 38 37 Wash. 72 11 14 Wis. 42 18 20 Wyo. 0 49 50
Twitter: @governing
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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