Here’s a list of national dog holidays throughout the year, including breed-specific days, adoption awareness, health observances, and general dog appreciation events. These are great times to celebrate with your dog!
January: National Train Your Dog Month, Walk Your Dog Month, National Dress Up Your Pet Day (Jan. 14), Seeing-Eye Guide Dog Anniversary (Jan. 29), National Alaskan Malamute Day (Jan. 7), National Labrador Retriever Day (Jan. 8)
February: Pet Dental Health Month, Dog Training Education Month, National Brown Dog Day (Feb. 2), National Golden Retriever Day (Feb. 3), National Dog Biscuit Day (Feb. 23), National Walk Your Dog Day (Feb. 22)
March: National Puppy Day (March 23), K-9 Veterans Day (March 13), National Dogs in Yellow Day (March 20), National Newfoundland Dog Day (March 25)
April: National Hug Your Dog Day (April 10), National Lost Dog Awareness Day (April 23), National Little Pampered Dog Day (April 27), International Guide Dog Day (last Wednesday of April), National Therapy Animal Day (April 30)
May: National Purebred Dog Day (May 1), National Dog Mom Day (second Saturday of May), National Rescue Dog Day (May 20), Mayday for Mutts (first Sunday of May)
June: National Dog Dad Day (day before Father’s Day), Ugliest Dog Day (June 20), National Dog Party Day (June 21), Take Your Dog to Work Day (Friday after Father’s Day)
July: National Dog Photography Day (July 26), National Mutt Day (July 31)
August: National Dog Month, DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs (Aug. 1), Assistance Dog Day (Aug. 4), National Spoil Your Dog Day (Aug. 10), National Dog Day (Aug. 26), Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day (Aug. 28)
September: National Service Dog Month, National Dog Walker Appreciation Day (Sep. 8), National Dogs in Politics Day (Sep. 23), National Dog Week (fourth week of September), Deaf Dog Awareness Week (last full week of September)
October: Adopt-a-Dog Month, National Black Dog Day (Oct. 1), National Pug Day (Oct. 15), National Fetch Day (third Saturday of October), National Treat Your Pet Day (Oct. 30)
November: National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, Thankful For My Dog Day (Nov. 23), National Dog Show Broadcast (Nov. 26)
December: National Mutt Day (Dec. 2)
ALSO:
DOGust: The universal birthday for rescue and shelter dogs, celebrated every year on August 1 — a tradition created in 2008 by North Shore Animal League America to honor dogs whose real birthdays are unknown.
Adoption and Rescue: National Dog Day (Aug 26) emphasizes adoption and shelter support, DOGust celebrates shelter dogs’ birthdays, and Mayday for Mutts promotes rescue awareness.
