- Categories:
- Animal
- Tags:
- DogLifestyleSummer
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every August 26
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐶
National Dog Day celebrates our beloved canine companions every August 26. This special day encourages adoption from shelters, promotes responsible pet ownership, and recognizes the unconditional love dogs bring into our lives. Take your furry friend for an extra long walk, spoil them with a new toy, or donate to a local rescue.
Want to sponsor National Dog Day? Learn how
Expected National Dog Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows National Dog Day brings fantastic deals from pet retailers and brands. Expect discounts on food, toys, and grooming from major players like Chewy, Petco, and PetSmart. Many local pet boutiques and groomers will also offer specials. Look for special treats and accessories from brands like BarkBox and Kong. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 26 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Dog Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalDogDay. Share heartwarming photos and videos of your furry best friend, showcasing their unique personality.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalDogDay. Create fun videos of your dog’s tricks, daily routines, or adoption story to inspire others.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDogDay. Post about your dog’s favorite activities or share local shelter adoption events.
National Dog Day Hero
Colleen Paige
History of National Dog Day
Dogs are a man’s best friend for a reason, so why not celebrate them? These furry friends range in all different shapes, sizes, and breeds. There is a dog out there for everyone! Whether you like big dogs or small dogs, every pup should be celebrated on National Dog Day.
This holiday was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate. She created this day so that all dogs can be celebrated and also to draw attention to the number of dogs in shelters and to encourage adoption to those who have yet to find a place to call home. August 26 is significant to Colleen because it is the day her family adopted her Sheltie when she was 10 years old.
Since the first celebration in 2004, National Dog Day has grown and is now celebrated across the world. In 2013 the holiday was written into New York legislation and can be seen on the New York State Senate’s website.
To spread the word further, those that oversee the holiday have joined forces with many rescue partners, including The Human Society of The United States and West Coast Labrador Retriever Rescue. Together they draw attention to the number of dogs that are without a home and try to actively encourage people searching for a dog to visit an adoption shelter instead of a pet store.
Since the first day back in 2004, it is estimated that approximately one million dogs have been saved through adoption in the U.S. For dog owners that aren’t looking to add to their family, National Dog Day has become a day for treating their friend like the legend they are and enjoying the connection that we’ve built up with dogs over thousands of years.
Colleen Paige, the founder of the holiday, also uses the day to draw attention to the multiple ways in which dogs contribute towards our society. From putting their lives on the line to help law enforcement track down bombs or drug dealers to providing assistance for those who need it, dogs play an important role. Nowadays dogs can even identify cancer in patients.
National Dog Day has also been using its platform to encourage dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure, and continuously pushes for all dogs to be allowed to live happy and abuse-free lives.
National Dog Day is on an upward trajectory and continues to grow in popularity. It is widely covered in the media each year and rescue homes are the all-important exposure they need to get their message across. Whether you choose to celebrate by volunteering at a rescue home, making a donation to a shelter, or by giving your furry friend an extra big cuddle, make sure you spend this day acknowledging just how awesome dogs are.
National Dog Day timeline
Some studies suggest that the gene responsible for the black color of North American wolves is due to a transfer of genetic information from Yukon dogs.
Dogs appear in Renaissance paintings as friends and companions.
The world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit all-breed registry is founded.
The very first school to teach dogs to help blind people navigate the world is started in Nashville, Tennessee.
American mystery cartoon “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!,” produced by Hanna-Barbera, debuts on CBS.
Labrador retrievers are the world’s number one dog breed.
National Dog Day is established by Colleen Paige who chooses August 26 because that was the day her family brought home her first dog.
It is found to be a myth that dogs are color blind — they can actually see in color but not as vividly as humans.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Dog Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Dog Day by hosting dog-friendly events or offering special promotions. Pet stores might organize adoption drives with local shelters, while groomers could provide discounted pampering sessions. Restaurants with patios could offer ‘pup-friendly’ menus or water bowls. Consider a ‘bring your dog to work’ day for employees, or partner with a local rescue for a donation match program.
National Dog Day - Survey Results
National Dog Day By The Numbers
3.3 million – Dogs entering U.S animal shelters every year.
670,000 – Dogs are euthanized in the U.S each year.
1.6 million – Shelter dogs are adopted each year.
620,000 – Stray dogs returned to their owners each year
79 million – Pet dogs in the U.S
44% – Households in the U.S with a pet dog.
23% – Pet dogs acquired via an animal shelter
34% – Pet dogs purchased from a breeder.
25% – Dogs entering animals shelters are purebred
10% – Animals received by shelters are spayed or neutered.
$32,045 – The amount Jiffpom, Pet Marketing‘s hottest property, earns for each Instagram post.
National Dog Day FAQs
When is National Dog Day?
National Dog Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, August 26. It’s the perfect mid-week opportunity to give your canine companion some extra love and attention.
How many dogs are there in the United States?
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), approximately 65.1 million U.S. households owned a dog in 2023-2024. This makes dogs the most popular household pet.
What is the purpose of National Dog Day?
National Dog Day aims to celebrate all dogs, regardless of breed, and to draw attention to the plight of dogs in shelters who need loving homes. It also encourages responsible dog ownership.
Is National Dog Day a federal holiday?
No, National Dog Day is not a federal holiday in the United States. It is a privately organized observance created by Colleen Paige to raise awareness for dog welfare and adoption.
National Dog Day Activities
Take your furry friend to “yappy hour"
There are some pet friendly restaurants that will occasionally host a yappy hour, for you to enjoy some snacks with your friends and their pets. Take your furry friend out to socialize and play with other dogs at yappy hour.
Adopt a dog
What better day to adopt a furry friend than on National Dog Day? Take a trip to your local shelter and go look for your new best friend.
Show your pup some love
Show your pup you love them by giving them their favorite treats, going on lots of walks or playing at the dog park.
Take the National Dog Day Quiz
5 Facts About Dogs That Will Blow Your Mind
They sleep in a circle to protect their organs
This comes from when they were wild and vulnerable to predator attacks.
The shape of a dog’s face determines their lifespan
A longer face on a dog means they will have a longer lifespan.
75 million pet dogs in the U.S.
There are more pet dogs in the united states than any other country.
They have an amazing sense of smell
A dog’s nose has 300 million receptors, whereas us as humans have 5 million.
A dog’s nose print is unique
A dogs nose print is just as unique as a human fingerprint.
They are influencers
After human beings, the most popular species to feature in Influencer Marketing are dogs!
Why We Love National Dog Day
Dogs keep us happy and healthy
Our relationships with our dogs brings positive feelings, increased activity, affection and security. Coming home to a dog helps to relieve stress.
They comfort us
They give soothing abilities and are there to comfort us when we are sad. They are used as therapy dogs to soothe soldiers and people suffering from PTSD.
They love us more than they love themselves
Dogs love us more than they love themselves. They are always happy to see us and would risk their lives to protect their humans.
Social Media Tips for National Dog Day
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