Let’s throw this day to the dogs! Not just any dog, though. Today, we toast to the mixed breeds of the world, so raise your water bowls high … because this one’s for the mutts! There’s no ifs, ands, or mutts about it — December 2 is National Mutt Day, and we’re here to celebrate. In fact, we love this day so much, we celebrate it twice year. The next National Mutt Day is July 31!
National Mutt Day timeline
Non-profit organization 'The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' is founded to prevent cruelty to animals.
Hanna-Barbera Productions create fictional dog Muttley, who is a sidekick to cartoon villain Dick Dastardly.
Animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige started this holiday to shine a light on the problem of abandoning mixed breed dogs.
National Mutt Day is also celebrated on July 31 annually.
National Mutt Day Activities
Volunteer at your local shelter
Animal shelters are always looking for volunteers, and you'd make a great one! Check in with your local rescue to see how you can get involved.
Offer to dog-sit for a friend
Chances are, you've got plenty of mutts in your life. While every dog owner loves their pet, they'd probably still appreciate a day off.
Adopt a mutt
The ultimate way to celebrate this holiday! If you've been thinking about getting a dog, open up your heart to a mutt and you won't regret it.
Why We Love National Mutt Day
It encourages adoption of mixed-breed dogs
This is what National Mutt Day's all about! While all dogs at shelters need adopting, purebred dogs tend to have much better luck, so mutts often end up being left out to dry.
They've got the best temperaments
Most purebreds were bred for specific traits, so they're likely to have a more extreme personality. Mutts, on the other hand, have a blend of traits from different sources, which often leads to a more mellow mood. In fact, purebred dogs are more likely than mutts to have genetic disorders, including cataracts and hypothyroidism.
They're all so different
With all the dog breed combinations out there, there are a nearly an infinite amount of possibilities. Just think about it this way: 4-digit combination locks have ten thousand combinations, and there are over 300 breeds of dogs. You can [try to] do the math.
National Mutt Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2024 | December 2 | Monday |
2025 | December 2 | Tuesday |
2026 | December 2 | Wednesday |
2027 | December 2 | Thursday |
2028 | December 2 | Saturday |