National Mutt Day occurs on December 2, and National Mixed Breed Awareness Day occurs on July 31. Both of these days invite us to celebrate the blessings in our lives that mixed breed dogs are!
National Mutt Day
Colleen Paige is the well-known animal welfare and pet expert who created National Mutt Day.
Considered one of America’s leading Pet and Family Lifestyle Experts, she wears many hats – among them are: animal behaviorist, interior designer, writer (author of The Good Behavior Book For Dogs (published by Rockport/Quarry Books), photographer, mother, and wife.
Paige is the brainchild behind a number of life-saving philanthropic holidays (including National Dog Day, National Cat Day, National Puppy Day, National Pet Day, National Wildlife Day, and National Beach Day, just to name a few).
Ms. Paige’s holiday creations have, since 2004, saved millions of unwanted pets.
History and Conjecture
Researching history, experts agree that the dogs we know today evolved from wolves and wild dogs, starting some 15,000 to 35,000 years ago. It is said that humans’ warm fires and leftover food attracted the wolves. Ever since, dogs and humans have been domesticating each other. With that in mind, it seems to me that the first “domesticated” dog must have been a Mutt, a mixed breed, a mongrel.
So we honor them on National Mutt Day.
Eventually, of course, humans began to breed different dogs to do work that would make their lives easier – dogs were bred to work on the farm, to herd animals in the fields, to get rid of rodents in warehouses, and for protection, as well as other jobs.
Here’s a little more information about Unsung Working Dogs and Dogs That Do Special Work.
Why Are Mixed Breeds a Blessing?
I thought that might be running through your mind.
Here are 5 good reasons why I call them Blessings.
Health
Mutts tend to have fewer health problems because mixing breeds limits the chances of health disorders. I guess you could say, for the most part, that Mutts are healthier.
Cost of Adoption
It costs a lot less to adopt a mixed breed from a shelter than to buy a purebred from a breeder. So having a mixed breed dog makes your pocketbook feel a lot stronger, and you still get the love.
Individuality
Every Mutt is a one-of-a-kind dog. None of them look exactly alike. In the case of dogs, Mutt is spelled U-N-I-Q-U-E.
Personality
No Mutt has the same personality traits or inherited traits as any other Mutt, even if they come from the same sire and dam.
Maintenance
Maintaining a Mutt is definitely less expensive than maintaining a purebred, so, for sure, your Vet bill and grooming costs will be less.
Wanted: Home and Family
Annually in the United States approximately 6.5 million dogs and cats find themselves in a shelter. Approximately 3.3 million are mixed breed dogs. No doubt, their great hope is to find a loving and caring home.
They all aren’t so lucky. According to the ASPCA (2015-2018 estimates):
“Each year, approximately 1.5 million animals are euthanized (670,00 dogs and 860,000 cats).
“Approximately 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year (1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats).
“About 710,000 animals that enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners (620,000 dogs and 90,000 cats).
“Of the dogs entering shelters, approximately 48% are adopted and 20% are euthanized.”
If only they could be adopted and loved.
Compassion
We already know these lovable crossbreeds regularly make wonderful additions to our families. They attract us with their poodle curls or wagging tails, then sweet faces and loving eyes just grab a paw-full of our heartstrings.
If you haven’t already done it, consider adopting a mixed breed dog from a shelter and show some affection and compassion in honor of National Mutt Day.
Of course, everyone can’t adopt, but we can acknowledge the day and the Mutts by contributing to and volunteering at shelters whenever possible.
#NationalMuttDay
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Resources
North American Veterinary Community
National Mutt Day Celebrating Mutts and Mixed Breed Dogs of All Shapes, Colors and Sizes, National Mutt Day | July 31 https://navc.com/national-mutt-day/
Colleen Paige https://www.colleenpaige.com/about
Fox 25 News Oklahoma City Chime In: Show us your furry friend for National Dog Day, by Melissa Scavelli, Thursday, August 26th 2021 https://okcfox.com/news/local/chime-in-show-us-your-furry-friend-for-national-dog-day-08-26-2021
ASPCA Shelter Intake and Surrender, https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender
Pawsome Advice Horrifying Animal Shelter Statistics in 2021 – The Whole Truth, by Emma, June 1, 2021, https://pawsomeadvice.com/pets/animal-shelter-statistics/
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