Approximately half of all dogs in the United States are purebred dogs whose breeds were developed to work alongside man as Guide Dogs and Service Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Conservation Dogs, military dogs, trackers, hunting dogs and herders – and always, to be companions, helpers, and the heartbeat of a family and home. To recognize those breeds, National Purebred Dog Day was established.
From Lassie and Rin Tin Tin to Uggie and Air Bud, from Marmaduke and Fred Basset to Snoopy and Presidential pets, Bo, Barney, Fala and Laddie, purebred dogs have had a place in American history and culture.
While every dog should be valued whatever its ancestry, National Purebred Dog Day recognizes the 300+ distinct dog breeds and varieties recognized worldwide, each breed a “bit of history with a pulse,” each the legacy of the culture that created it for a reason.
Some of our breeds are in danger of extinction, such as the Skye Terrier which is outnumbered globally by Panda Bears.
When is National Purebred Dog Day?
National Purebred Dog Day is celebrated every May 1. The pet holiday was created in 2013 by writer and Puli fancier, Susi Szeremy.
From the Founder
Recognition from the state of Colorado
On March 10, 2015, Colorado became the first state in America to recognize May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day.
State legislators voted on a joint resolution introduced by Rep. Polly Lawrence to mark a day that celebrates the diversity, heritage, predictability and contributions of the purebred dog.
The pet holiday has the endorsement of the American Kennel Club (AKC).
For more pet holidays, see our Pet Holiday calendar.
Adopting a Purebred Dog
Does watching dog shows like The National Dog Show and Westminster Dog Show make you fall in love with a particular breed…and one that’s out of your reach financially? While the cost of some breeds may be beyond your budget these days, there’s no need to give up on your dreams thanks to the numerous breed-specific rescues.
We spoke with David Frei, dog expert and the co-host of The National Dog Show, about this topic. Frei suggested sites like the American Kennel Club which lists purebred rescue organizations. Frei explained:
Every parent club like the Afghan Hound Club of America, for example, every parent club has a rescue body along with the parent club so that if you’re interested in an Afghan Hound you can go to that parent club’s Web page…and find the rescue.
A lot of dogs end up in rescues for the silliest of reasons or for the most tragic of reasons. Sometimes, there’s a death in the family or a divorce or somebody’s moving or whatever, and there are silly reasons that they end up in rescues. So you can get a perfectly good dog out of rescue.
Adopting a rescue dog means a savings for your pocketbook–and saving a dog that’s without a home. That’s a dog situation that’s definitely best in show for everyone concerned!
For More Information
- visit the National Purebred Dog Day® website
- visit the National Purebred Dog Day page on Facebook
- Who are the Top Pet Influencers and Should Your Dog Join In the Fun? - April 10, 2024
- Should Dogs Sleep on the Bed? - April 9, 2024
- 10 Spring Cleaning Tasks for Dog Homes - April 9, 2024