Dogs have been humanity’s constant companions for hundreds of thousands of years. At the beginning of civilization, they served as guardians and herders of sheep, cattle, and goats, and are still used in those capacities to this day. They have also protected our homes and helped us hunt. Working dogs are used not only for the disabled but also for work in the military and police and fire departments all over the world.

Without a doubt, dogs are some of the most important animals that have been domesticated, so perhaps we should show them the respect they deserve by observing August as National Dog Month. This is a month to show our furry companions that they are loved, respected, and important to us.

The History of National Dog Month

Dogs may have been around for hundreds of thousands of years, but this month celebrating them hasn’t been around very long at all. This month was only invented in 2020 by the Milk-Bone brand of dog bones. They created the month not only to increase Milk-Bone sales but to get people to acknowledge that dogs truly are humanity’s best friends.

Some Amazing Facts About Dogs

We love dogs just as much as the next person, so we thought long and hard about how we could celebrate National Dog Month. What we decided to do for this month was to do a little bit of research and come up with some amazing facts about dogs. Facts that everyone celebrating this month can appreciate and enjoy. Let’s take a look at them below.

• The pattern on a dog’s nose is as unique as a person’s fingerprint.
• Even though all dogs dream, puppies and senior dogs seem to dream the most.
• Approximately 70% of people who send greeting cards sign their dog’s name to them.
• “Collie” is a name that means “black.”
• In the United States, there are over 75 million pet dogs.
• Newborn puppies are deaf.
• Dogs only have about 1,700 taste buds. Humans have approximately 3,000 to 10,000 taste buds.
• A Bloodhound’s sense of smell is extremely accurate and can be used as evidence in a courtroom.
• A dog’s smell center is 40 times larger than that of a human being.

Observing National Dog Month

Celebrating this month is probably going to be pretty easy for most people. All they have to do is set aside some extra time every day during this month to spend with their dogs. This special time can be used for going for a walk, training, or for any other activity that brings owner and pet together. People are also encouraged to spread the word about this month using the hashtag #NationalDogMonth on social media.