National Mutt Day Is July 31
Celebrating Mutts and Mixed Breed Dogs of All Shapes, Colors and Sizes
Mutts are known by many names – mixed breeds, crossbreeds, hybrids, Heinz 57s, mongrels, and half-breeds – but these lovable mixes often make wonderful additions to the family. With those sweet lab eyes, playful poodle curls, strong shepherd gait, and who knows what else mixed in, mixed breeds come with a unique look and personality. National Mutt Day is July 31, and we want to celebrate these lovable, unique pets who paw their way into our homes and hearts.
National Mutt Day also highlights the many great mixed-breed dogs needing homes. They benefit from the spotlight when we celebrate mixed-breed dogs. On July 31, join us in celebrating all the mutts and mixed-breed dogs that make our lives so incredible.
(from nationaltoday.com)
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MUTT DAY
1. Adopt a mixed-breed dog
Many great dogs out there lack a home just because they don’t have the right pedigree. But you can do your part to change all that. Getting any dog is a big responsibility, but a mixed breed will likely be healthier, happier, better behaved — and live longer than a purebred of the same age.
2. Donate to your local shelter
Not in a position to adopt a mutt? You can still help out your local shelter with a donation. Your money goes to things like food, toys, and medicine. Every dollar counts so that you can make a difference in the lives of all the dogs at the shelter.
3. Volunteer to help out
If donations aren’t your style, you can always volunteer. Shelters need volunteers to befriend the dogs, play with them and take them for walks. A few hours of your time can make a big difference in their happiness, and happy dogs stand a better chance of getting adopted.
WHY NATIONAL MUTT DAY IS IMPORTANT
All dogs love us for who we are
Whether your dog is from a famous breeder or your local shelter, he or she loves you in a way that can’t be expressed in words. Though mixed-breed dogs aren’t usually as highly regarded as their purebred cousins, they have lots of love in their hearts. And some people even argue that since most mutts weren’t born on Easy Street, they love us even more.
Mixed breeds have better health
These dogs have hit the genetic lottery. Blending genes helps fight deficiencies by providing healthier gene sequences from other breeds. Think of it this way: the smaller the gene pool, the less healthy the genes. Your mutt, on the other hand, has a sampling from all over, adding to the dog’s overall lifespan and well-being.
Mutts need people, too
Often passed over for their pedigreed cousins, mixed-breed dogs end up at a pet shelter more frequently and wait longer before getting adopted. But mutts have all the doggedness we love about dogs and National Mutt Day is about getting them the love and attention they deserve.
From the NAVC
As a special thank you for all the mutts you’ve loved and cared for through the years, we hope you’ll enjoy these free wallpaper designs for your desktop and mobile phone. Dress up your devices and share your love for all of living creatures, regardless of breed.
National Mutt Day, also known as National Mixed Breed Dog Day, was created in 2005 by Celebrity Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige and is celebrated on both July 31st and December 2nd. National Mutt Day is all about embracing, saving, and celebrating mixed-breed dogs.
