Muddy Dog Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of October and this year, it falls on October 29. The objective of the holiday is to simply bring joy to pet owners after COVID-19 caused a lockdown in the United Kingdom. On this day in 2021, pet owners shared pictures of their pet canines rolling around in the dirt or jumping into muddy puddles. Jo Milnes, founder, and owner of Distinctive Pets, came up with the holiday and encouraged people to share their muddy dog photographs in the days leading up to Muddy Dog Day. The day is meant to be a fun day to spend with dogs, regardless of breed, age, gender, etc.
History of Muddy dog day
Pet parents and their loving canines are an inseparable combination. This heartfelt companionship goes back several thousands of years. Archeological evidence suggests that dogs were the first ever animals that human beings domesticated around 12,000 years ago. Evidence of dog burials has been found in the areas that were a part of Ancient Greece and Rome, often considered the cradles of Western civilization. Dog burials were not exclusive to the Greco-Romans, though. The Ancient Egyptians used to bury dogs with their owners, believing that the companionship would transcend this realm and continue in the afterlife.The frisbee-throwing, ear-petting pet-owner relationship common today was not always the case, though. Modern conventions of pet ownership are only as own as the Victorian era of England. The 17th century brought with it the gradual acceptance of pets into upper-class homes, soon becoming a status symbol for the bourgeois class. Dogs, thus, made their way from hunting fields to the laps of rich and doting owners. The pet trade became a lucrative field and breeders began springing up when the pedigree of one’s dog became attached to one’s social status. It was only the most purebred of dogs that were considered worthy of being bought by the bourgeois.This importance placed on the breed of a dog led to the creation of lucrative breeding mills to force the selective breeding of ‘desirable’ breeds of dogs. In fact, toy dogs were developed solely to be suitable pets for humans. Recognizing that selective breeding is harmful to the dogs we claim to love, many people are shifting to adopting dogs regardless of pedigree to combat the existing status quo.
Muddy dog day timeline
Humans domesticated dogs for the first time.
The first-known dog burial takes place in modern-day Bonn-Oberkassel, Germany.
Pets become socially acceptable in Victorian England.
Pets are traded on the streets of London.
Muddy dog day FAQs
What do you do when your dog is muddy?
Wipe off the worst of the dirt, let your dog’s fur dry off, and then remove the rest of the mud with a brush.
Should you wash a muddy dog?
Brushing is often better than washing off mud.
Is gravel good for dogs?
Gravel can pose many problems for dogs. It can burn them, poke them, or get stuck between their paw pads.
Muddy dog day Activities
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Take your dog out for a walk
Take your dog out for a walk today — but try to make it more fun than usual. Maybe find a new route to walk.
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Take pictures of your muddy dog
If your dog rolls around in some dirt, take a few pictures for social media before you clean the mud off. We bet your followers will love it!
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Donate to a local shelter
If it’s within your means, donate to a local shelter that houses dogs. Any amount is appreciated.
5 Interesting Facts About Dogs
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Sweat
Dogs don’t sweat.
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Ear control
Dogs have 18 muscles that control their ears.
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Intelligence
A dog can be as intelligent as a two-year-old when you talk about its ability to understand semantics.
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Unique prints
Every dog has a unique nose print.
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Doggy dreams
Dogs dream frequently!
Why We Love Muddy dog day
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It’s a fun way to spend time with your dog
While being a pet parent is a full-time job, Muddy Dog Day is a good opportunity to switch up how you spend time with your dog today. See what new fun things you can do today!
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It encourages letting dogs have their fun
The thought of cleaning up mud after dogs can be stressful. Muddy Dog Day is a good opportunity to let loose for once.
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It’s a fun and lighthearted activity
Life can get stressful. Muddy Dog Day is a perfect day to unwind with your furry companion.
Muddy dog day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 29 | Saturday |
| 2023 | October 28 | Saturday |
| 2024 | October 26 | Saturday |
| 2025 | October 25 | Saturday |
| 2026 | October 31 | Saturday |
