Missouri is for dog lovers, because the state has a rich and fascinating history regarding man's best friend, and its role in making dogs the most ideal pet. There's Old Drum in Warrensburg, the inspiration for the phrase man's best friend, based on a legal oration by George Graham Vest at the Warrensburg Courthouse. Then over in Marshall, there's a very special dog, who just turned 100 years old yesterday, I'm talking about Jim The Wonder Dog, Missouri's Official State Wonder Dog.

A 1985 story in Outdoor Life popularized Jim the Wonder Dog when it was published in August of that year. They have re-published it in honor of Jim's 100th birthday! If you want to dig into Jim's story, it's a great article.

What Made Jim The Wonder Dog Special

Jim was unique because he had an innate ability to hunt, owner Sam Van Arsdale didn't need to train him. He tracked over 5,000 birds, and that's when Van Arsdale stopped counting. He also exhibited a wide range of talents not typically associated with dogs.

According to the State of Missouri Secretary of State's Office, Jim could identify a car by its license plate number, recognize unknown people in a crowd if given a description, and understand what humans were asking of him, whether spoken or written in English, other languages, or even shorthand and Morse code. Some even say Jim had some psychic powers and could pick Kentucky Derby Winners and the sex of unborn babies. Jim loved the show, performing before the Missouri Legislature and Mizzou students.

Visit Jim The Wonder Dog In Marshall, Missouri

Jim the Wonder Dog passed away in 1937 and is buried in Marshall, Missouri's Ridge Park Cemetery, where caretakers say his grave his one of the most visited. In Marshall, when not hunting with his owner Sam, they relaxed at the Ruff Hotel, where Jim's owner was the hotel's manager.

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Today, on that site is the Jim the Wonder Dog Memorial Garden, where fans can enjoy the bronze statue of Jim and pet him on the nose. Visitors can enjoy the garden and water garden any day of the week during daylight hours. The Jim the Wonder Dog Museum and Garden is located with the Marshall Welcome Center at 101 N. Lafayette.

Jim Is Missouri's Wonder Dog

In 2017, the Missouri General Assembly designated Jim the Wonder Dog Missouri's official state wonder dog. In case you're wondering, Jim was a Llewellyn setter, who will continue to melt hearts and make people smile for decades.

Happy Birthday, Jim!