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National AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Dogs have existed for a very long time and have evolved from an ancient family of wolves to domesticated animals and "man's best friend." According to scientists, the domestication of dogs is one of the most significant episodes in human history.

National A.K.C. Responsible Dog Ownership Day is observed annually on the third Saturday of September, which falls on September 16 this year. The day is launched by the American Kennel Club and is designed for pet parents — particularly dog parents, to take a break and reminisce on the commitments they have made to their furry companions. It is a day that encourages people to commit to their loyal canines and reminds us of our responsibilities as pet owners. The majority of partnering organisations that are National A.K.C. Responsible Dog Ownership Day stakeholders celebrate this day around the same time, but not necessarily on the same date.

The background of National AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Dogs have existed for a very long time and have evolved from an ancient family of wolves to domesticated animals and “man’s best friend.” According to scientists, the domestication of dogs is one of the most significant episodes in human history. Numerous scientists concur, however, that there is evidence of multiple independent domestication events throughout the globe, making it extremely difficult to pinpoint an exact date for the evolution of domestic dog breeds.

Expert scientific investigation indicates that dog domestication occurred approximately 40,000 years ago. Studies of dog fossils from this time period indicate a relationship to contemporary European canines. Based on the differences between these specimens and modern-day canines, scientists estimate that domestication occurred between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago. The current canine varieties are the result of these dogs migrating with humans, breeding, and interbreeding to produce offspring. Regarding the “how” of dog domestication, no consensus exists. Some theories assert that humans captured wolf pups and progressively domesticated them by keeping them as pets. Another theory holds that wolves are self-domesticated, with the most sociable individuals assimilating with the hunter-gatherers of that era.

The American Kennel Club (A.K.C. ), a non-profit organisation based in the United States, maintains a global registry of purebred canines. The AKC regulates the sport of purebred canines in the United States. The A.K.C. began organising Responsible Dog Ownership Days annually throughout the United States, hosting the annual flagship event in Raleigh, North Carolina and inviting affiliated dog clubs and pet organisations to stage their own Dog Ownership events.

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Activities on National AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Maintain your pet-care routine.

National A.K.C. Responsible Dog Ownership Day is an excellent opportunity to continue, maintain, or revise your routine for caring for your furry companion. Consider what you can do for your dog today.

Attend an A.K.C. function.

Participate in any of the American Kennel Club or its affiliates’ dog-related events. Not only is it entertaining, but it is also an excellent method to demonstrate what dogs are capable of.

Share via social networks

Utilise the #ResponsibleDogOwnershipDay hashtag when posting about your dog on social media. Invite your peers and family to join you.

5 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DOGS

Dogs can detect between 1,000 to 100,000 times better than us humans, as their olfactory senses are up to 40 times as active as ours.

Numerous canines have been credited with saving people from drowning due to their exceptional swimming ability.

They are able to detect sounds with a higher frequency and a higher pitch than humans are capable of hearing.

The fastest dog breed, the Greyhound, is capable of running at 45 miles per hour and can maintain that pace over a distance of seven miles.

Small puppies can learn up to 100 words as they mature, allowing them to comprehend both basic instructions and specialised training for specific duties.