National Dog Day

National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and was founded in 2004 by Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, Colleen Paige, also the founder of National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and National Cat Day and many more philanthropic days to bring attention to the plight of animals and encourage adoption. The date of August 26th is significant, as it's the date that Colleen's family adopted her first dog "Sheltie" when Colleen was 10 years old.

National Dog Day celebrates all dogs, mixed breed and pure. Our mission is to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day...
for personal protection, for law enforcement, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage, now they're detecting cancer and seizures...things even humans cannot do. NDD was adopted into New York State Legislation in 2013. 

National Dog Day is against any kind of "breed ban". Dogs should not have to lose their lives because of the atrocities they have been forced to endure at the hands of man. And while we feel that American's have the constitutional right to purchase a pure breed dog, we strongly discourage buying dogs from pet stores supplied by puppy mills, backyard breeders, the internet and newspaper ads. Rather, we encourage those seeking new canine companions, to consider choosing adoption first.

If you'd like a pure breed dog, look into a pure breed rescue in your city, to see if they might have some little furry soul just waiting to make your life complete. Another great place to find a new best friend is at large chain pet stores that host adoption drives for local shelters and rescues.When considering buying from a breeder, verify that you're buying from a reputable breeder by checking out their licensing, internet reviews and ask for local references such as from a veterinarian. It's vital to educate yourself about the breed you're considering parenting.

"Millions of dogs are killed each year because they're simply unwanted, says Colleen Paige, founder of National Dog Day. They're unwanted because no one realized how to properly care for the demands of the breed. They're unwanted because they were bought as a Christmas gift for a child that didn't keep their promises about caring for the dog...unwanted because they shed too much...unwanted because they bark too much. UNWANTED...simply because someone changed their mind. All a dog wants to do is love you and be loved by you. Dogs are amazing, courageous, sensitive and sentient beings that deserve compassion and respect. Please consider bringing what was once considered "unwanted love", into your heart and home on National Dog Day!"

For dogs adopted on August 26th, National Dog Day becomes many a dog’s birthday and for all dogs, it's as popular and exciting as the Super Bowl, with the anticipation of the day culminating into an explosion of network news stories, national TV show segments, online videos, shelter events, internet photos and K9 parties planned around the globe!  Even citizens who are not dog owners will be encouraged to donate $5 to their local shelter or rescue on August 26th.

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There has been an increase in the demand for native breeds such as Sippipparai and Rajapalayam at the Dog Breeding Unit of the animal husbandry department at Saidapet.

                                              Image-RAJAPALAYAM

    Records show that in 2012-13 nearly 50 puppies of native breeds and 11 pedigree puppies were sold. The year before, 32 native breed puppies and 10 pedigree puppies were sold. The demand for native breed puppies has been on the rise since 2010-11, when the unit sold 26 native breed puppies and seven pedigree puppies.

Animal husbandry department authorities said that with the increased demand for native breed puppies, the waiting time for each breed would be more than a year. As the department did not breed dogs on a commercial basis, they would not be able to meet the demand, they said.

                                                  Image-SIPPIPPARAI

The unit is one of its kind in the State and was started in the 1980s to promote native dog breeds such as Rajapalayam, Sippipparai, Kombai and Kanni . However, Kombais and Kannis are now bred only by private individuals.

With a steady increase in the demand for native breeds, the State government in 2012-13 allocated Rs. 30 lakh for the renovation of kennels in the unit. With the funds, the authorities created tick channels (as during the summer the canines suffer from tick bites leading to spread of diseases), fixed tiles on the kennel walls and floors and an exhaust fan for each kennel, and raised the height of each kennel to nearly three feet.

The authorities have also provided individual water supply for the kennels, mainly to reduce heat radiation, and clean water for bathing the canines every day, the officer said.   

A senior animal husbandry officer conceded that a couple of years ago, the condition of the kennels were very bad. With the renovation, they are better now, he said.

The unit launched the pedigree breeding programme in 1997 because of public demand. At present, the unit houses nearly 30 canines including five puppies.

The prices of some of the breeds at the unit are less compared to those quoted by private pedigree breeders. For example a male Rajapalayam puppy is sold at Rs. 1,500 and a female at Rs. 1,250. The same puppy is sold at Rs. 7,000 by a private breeder (with proper documents about the lineage of the breed) and Rs. 5,000 without the documents.