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SunJan 21

National Hug Your Puppy Day – January 21, 2024

National Hug Your Puppy Day is celebrated on January 21 to appreciate our pups by hugging them. These wonderful furry friends deserve all the love and affection we can give them, and it is in recognition of this that an entire day has been created especially for hugging them! It has been said that hugging puppies releases a hormone called ‘oxytocin’, more informally known as “the cuddle hormone” in both the pups and humans. Not only does a good tight hug help to strengthen the bond between man and pup, but it shows the pets that we care. It is a great idea to pick your pup up and give them a big hug today!

History of National Hug Your Puppy Day

Genetic evidence over the years has suggested that dogs are direct descendants of wolves and that the now-extinct wolf lineages from which dogs came branched off from the line of modern living wolves somewhere between 27,000 and 40,000 years ago. The domestication of dogs is said to have occurred between 14,000 and 29,000 years ago. It is also said that the wolves here were likely responsible for facilitating their domestication by trailing northern Eurasian nomads and feeding on the remains of game animals left behind by animals. Most research results agree on the fact that dog domestication was a process that unfolded over thousands of years with dogs and wild wolves continuing to cross-breed with one another and with early dog populations being replaced by later ones. A few genetic studies have recorded evidence of early domestication events in specific regions. One study posits that wolves were domesticated 16,300 years ago to serve as livestock in China, whereas another report states that early dogs, dating from about 12,000 to 14,000 years ago, came from a small strain of gray wolf that inhabited India at the time. Furthermore, genetic evidence reveals that dogs did not accompany the first humans to the “New World” more than 15,000 years ago, thereby suggesting instead that dogs came to the Americas only 10,000 years ago. A particular study even suggests that some dogs have descended not from the jackal but rather, the wolf. These dogs, which were found in Africa, are said to have possibly given rise to some of the native African breeds we have today.

National Hug Your Puppy Day timeline

1493
Dogs Travel to the New World

Columbus and his crew bring 20 greyhounds and mastiffs on their voyage to the Americas.

1700s
The First Firefighting Pups

The first firefighting puppies are dalmatians.

1750
Guide Dogs Begin to Be Trained

Professionals from a Paris hospital begin training dogs to become guide dogs and help visually impaired humans.

1954
The Humane Society

The Humane Society (America) is established.

National Hug Your Puppy Day FAQs

Is it ok to hug your dogs?

Overall, yes, it is ok to hug your dogs. However, you should pay attention if they are feeling stressed or angry for some reason, as that may not be the best moment to do it. Puppies usually like to be hugged!

Why are they called puppies?

According to etymologists, the term ‘puppy’ may have come from ‘poupeé,’ a French word meaning doll or toy.

What should I name my puppy?

If you need some inspiration, you can search for a “common puppy names” list. Some people prefer to give their dogs human names, while others prefer to get creative and name them after fruit, colors, and even some objects.

National Hug Your Puppy Day Activities

  1. Walk your pup

    Take your puppy on a little walk down your (shared) favorite path and let him/her soak in the air. They're gonna have a great time!

  2. Give your pup a nice treat

    It’s a day for spoiling your puppy, so what better way to do that than a very special treat? Buy your puppy's favorite treat and let him/her enjoy it!

  3. Hug your puppy

    Hug your puppy! This is a day for hugging, cuddling, and other such activities with your puppy, so enjoy it.

5 Fun Facts About Puppies

  1. They first develop the sense of touch

    The very first sensory feeling that puppies experience is that of touch.

  2. Puppies have baby teeth

    Puppies have baby teeth during their infancy, which makes sense because they technically are babies.

  3. They’re considered adults at age one

    Once puppies reach the age of one years old, they are considered adults.

  4. Over a million born around the world

    There are an estimated 1.2 million puppies born around the world each year.

  5. They grow very fast

    Puppies grow so fast that they usually double their birth weight within a week.

Why We Love National Hug Your Puppy Day

  1. Puppies are adorable

    Puppies are absolutely adorable, and we absolutely adore them! No matter their size or color, puppies are one of the cutest things we can find!

  2. Puppies are helpful

    Puppies can be very useful for domestic tasks. In some cases, they can even be trained for bigger tasks.

  3. Puppies make great companions

    Puppies are very good for companionship, and their friendship is healthy for humans. Children and babies can also benefit from having them as companions!

National Hug Your Puppy Day dates

YearDateDay
2024January 21Sunday
2025January 21Tuesday
2026January 21Wednesday
2027January 21Thursday
2028January 21Friday

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