International Dog Day celebrates human-canine bond; spotlight on rescue

Hyderabad: International Dog Day on August 26 every year celebrates the strong bond between humans and dogs.

It also highlights the need for a loving home for many dogs. Dog lovers honour their four-legged companions, hope for better treatment of animals and support rescue and adoption.

Today is also National Dog Day, which is about recognising the role dogs play in our lives and how we can help our loyal furry friends.

What is National Dog Day?

National Dog Day is a celebration of all dogs—Indies, pure and mixed breeds. It was founded in 2004 by pet advocate Colleen Paige.

The day was created to honour dogs for their companionship, loyalty and bravery, and raise awareness about the large number of dogs that need to be rescued every year.

It calls attention to dogs in shelters, the importance of adoption and issues like puppy mills, breed-specific legislation and animal cruelty.

From service dogs and working dogs to family pets and strays, National Dog Day is for all dogs.

People celebrate the day in many ways, from adoption events and dog-themed fundraisers to sharing stories and photos online.

Many celebrities and influencers use the day to promote adoption of shelter dogs.

What is the importance of National Dog Day?

Dogs do so much for us: they offer companionship, reduce stress, assist people with disabilities, serve in search and rescue and even help detect health issues.

Yet, millions of dogs are abandoned, abused or euthanised each year due to neglect, overbreeding or lack of resources. National Dog Day makes us face these harsh realities while celebrating the joy dogs bring. It’s about respect, responsibility and making a difference to a dog’s life.

Things to do on National Dog Day

Adopt or Foster: If you’re ready, consider adopting from a shelter or fostering a dog in need.

Volunteer: Offer your time at a local shelter or rescue organisation.

Donate: Contribute supplies, food, or funds to animal charities and shelters.

Raise awareness: Share posts about adoptable dogs, responsible pet ownership and rescue stories.

Spoil your dog: Take them on an adventure, a ride to a park, bake homemade treats or just spend extra time together at home.

Support ethical brands: Choose pet products from companies that donate to animal welfare.

History of National Dog Day

Colleen Paige, a pet lifestyle expert and animal advocate, founded National Dog Day in 2004 with the aim of celebrating dogs and encouraging adoption.

She has also launched other awareness days like National Cat Day and National Puppy Day.

Over the years, National Dog Day has grown into a global movement, recognised by animal lovers and organisations worldwide.

How dogs have become the best friends of humans

Dogs play many important roles in human society.

They provide security, help to detect drugs, bombs and victims of natural calamities.

Sometimes, dogs in the house can easily recognise natural calamities, such as landslides and earthquakes and alert the household in time. Dogs are also good companions for people with disabilities.

Interesting facts about dogs

- Nose prints of dogs are unique, like the fingerprints of human beings.

- Labrador retrievers are among the top 10 most popular breeds every year, for the last 30 years.

- All dogs dream while asleep. Puppies and senior dogs dream more frequently than adult dogs.

- A dog has an extraordinary sense of smell. The nose of a dog has more than 300 million receptors. In comparison, human beings have only five million receptors in their nose.

- Noses of dogs can easily sense heat or thermal radiation.

- From 1934 until today, the Beagle is the only breed that has remained in the top five most popular breeds.

- Dogs can yawn. A human yawning can also trigger a pet dog to yawn. Dogs can yawn four times more than human beings.

- While petting a dog, the blood pressure of human beings goes down.

- The United States have more than 75 million pet dogs, which is the highest in the world.

- Dogs are not colour blind and can identify blue and yellow colours.

- All newborn puppies are deaf.