Founded in 2021, National Brown Dog Day comes around each year on February 2, and it’s an important reminder for us to celebrate every brown dog we know. One of the more common canine colors, brown dogs are found across breeds everywhere in the world — and the most popular of them is the lovely Labrador breed. So for everyone with a brown-toned doggo, give them some extra special love on this day.
History of National Brown Dog Day
Dogs, probably, evolved right alongside humans, and tales of their exploits together have regaled generations of people across the centuries (and across civilizations). Tales of mutual respect between canines and us bipeds can be found as far back as the indigenous people of Siberia, East Asia, North America, and Australia. We assume dogs were as loved then as they are now — why else would archaeologists dig up remains from 14,200 years ago that show a dog buried beside humans? Dogs had taken the world by storm.
Their domestication preceded multiple landmark events in the human world — the emergence of agriculture as a profession and the domestication of other animals like boar, sheep, and goats. Dogs of all shapes and sizes were popular, but research showed that Saint Bernard was the breed of the hour around the late 1800s. They were overthrown by the gentle, brown-eyed lovable Labrador breed in the 1990s, and they remain a popular choice for people around the world.
The original Labrador — a now-extinct ancestor of our Labs — can be traced to Newfoundland, Canada, where it was bred by European settlers. This breed was then imported to Britain by a British duke and an earl, for hunting purposes. They were later bred with British hunting dogs, creating the Labrador as we know it. The Newfoundland breed and the new British version were similar enough that early writers often confused the two.
Fifty years on, the name ‘Labrador Retriever’ was common across England, and the world saw the first liver (aka chocolate) Lab in 1892, and the first yellow Labrador (on record) was born in 1899. Today, the world is very familiar with (and in awe of) dogs of all breeds, sizes, and shapes. This day is a bit of added encouragement to love all dogs — especially your brown-coated ones — a little more.
National Brown Dog Day timeline
A dog, a black Labrador retriever — Blind of Arden — appears on the cover of “Life Magazine” for the very first time.
“A Dog's Tale” appears in the December issue of “Harper's Magazine”; it is told from a dog's perspective and condemns scientific experimentation on dogs, which reflects Twain's sentiments.
The Simpsons family gets an additional helper in the form of this brown/orange greyhound, becoming a central cast member and even having his own storyline in multiple episodes.
The University of Sydney studies Labs (the most common breed) and reveals that chocolate Labs have lower life expectancies and are slightly more prone to infections.
National Brown Dog Day FAQs
What is National Dog Day?
National Dog Day is celebrated globally on August 26 to celebrate all dogs and encourage adoption. Check out what we have to say about it here: https://nationaltoday.com/national-dog-day/
What color dog is the least adopted?
Dogs with black coats are least adopted globally, in what shelter workers labeled the ‘black dog syndrome.’ It refers to people passing over black dogs in favor of lighter-colored ones, probably owing to a subconscious bias against black coats and fur in animals.
What is the United States National Dog?
13 U.S. states have a designated state dog. Maryland was first and picked the Chesapeake Bay Retriever in 1964; recent years saw states like Illinois and Georgia adopt needy dogs (in shelters) as their state dog.
National Brown Dog Day Activities
Make it all about your doggo
It's a dog's life, and for one day, you should just live in it. Carve out special doggie-human time, take them to see their friends, feed them their favorite treats, and maybe indulge in a special doggie spa treatment.
Encourage dog adoption
Animal shelters are full of dogs — brown and other colors — who need a loving home. Plant the seed of doggie adoption in friends and family, and help place another pooch in their forever home.
Give to the local animal shelter
Share your time, money, and skills to help the animals — especially the dogs — at your local animal shelter.
5 Facts About Dog Colors
Same litter, differing colors
Puppies from the same litter can come in a varying range of colors; because of a mix of genes or even because they could have different fathers.
The common colors
These are black, brown, and white, because the most popular breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Poodles, Beagles primarily exhibit these colors.
What is brown?
Gray-brown, fawn, dark brown, milk chocolate, and even mahogany — every single one is a brown shade found on dogs across breeds.
Red dog breeds are mistaken for brown
These aren't Clifford-red, but a more subtle hue of red mixed with bright brown, tan, or orange coats, which is why this color is often mistaken for brown.
Why so blue?
One of the rarer dog coats around the world, blue dog breeds, like the Australian cattle dog, are not truly blue, but more silver-gray or icy blue, with noses that have a blue sheen to them.
Why We Love National Brown Dog Day
Encourages us to love our dogs
Man's best buddies can always use a little more love. After all, they never shy away from showing us their affection.
We acknowledge canine contributions
Service animals, law enforcement, therapy, search and rescue — dogs put it all on the line for us (across colors and breeds), and we love this chance to recognize their worth once again.
We can never have enough 'dog' days
Not only are we celebrating dogs on each dog-related day, but we are also raising awareness of dogs that need help — like those in animal shelters.
National Brown Dog Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 2 | Sunday |
| 2026 | February 2 | Monday |
| 2027 | February 2 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | February 2 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | February 2 | Friday |
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