Celebrate National Mutt Day in the USA on July 31 and December 2. This is a fun celebration of mixed breed dogs. Created in 2005 by celebrity pet and family life expert, Colleen Paige, National Mutt Day brings awareness to the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the country and encourages people to adopt shelter dogs rather than buy “designer dogs” from puppy mills.
Did you know that mixed breed dogs:
- Are usually healthier than their pedigreed counterparts, suffering from fewer congenital maladies that are part of the purebred process
- Are generally better behaved and they live longer
- Are every bit as capable as pure bred dogs at performing specialized duties, for example guiding the blind, and bomb and drug sniffing
- Rescue dogs are often more loyal and devoted to their pet parents than high-strung purebreds.
Some people view shelter dogs as “damaged goods”. While some of them have come through some rough times (occasionally horrendous times), they are all the more grateful for a stable, loving home. Those who need special care and re-training are placed with a trainer or experienced foster home to receive this care or training before being put up for adoption. Reputable shelters and rescues help you find just the right dog to become part of your family.
Dogs have an amazing amount of resilience and heart. Dogs are by nature loving, devoted creatures. Even when mistreated, they want to love their family. Mixed breed dogs often combine the best aspect of each. More and more medical and psychological treatment facilities are using dogs as therapy animals because of their natural compassion and empathy. As the saying goes: “Once you’ve experienced a good mutt, your life feels empty without one.”
If you need a devoted, reliable companion in your life, get yourself a good mutt.
