World Dog Day: Basic Care and Fun Facts

Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without those licks when you get home or those eyes that seem to understand you better than anyone? At Waggy's, we know one thing for sure: life is infinitely better with a dog by your side. Today we celebrate International Dog Day, not just with cuddles, but with a commitment to providing them with the best canine welfare. Join us to discover why these furry friends are the heart of our families!

The origin of an important date

Although for us every day is "dog day", this holiday has a very important background that was born in Spain in 2004, because it is in summer when the highest rates of abandonment are recorded. But why July 21st?

• The date arose after a WHO report revealed that 70% of dogs are homeless, approximately 200 million dogs.
• Its main objective is to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, the importance of veterinary care, and to eradicate abandonment.

⭐ Check out our Guide to safe coexistence between children and dogs

https://waggys.pet/blogs/waggys-blog/ninos-y-perros-guia-de-convivencia-segura-entre-ninios-y-perros

Dogs in Mexico: a call to action

In our country, the love for dogs is enormous, but so are the challenges. According to INEGI data:

• There are about 41.2 million dogs in Mexico.
• They are present in 66.4% of households.
• Unfortunately, Mexico is among the top countries for abandonment and abuse, which breaks our hearts.

Adopting saves and changes lives! You not only transform their world, but you gain an unconditional companion.

Basic care: the secret to a happy life

Being a super pet parent involves meeting their biological and emotional needs. If you are looking to improve basic dog care, remember that proper nutrition for their life stage is the foundation.

👉 Take their well-being to the next level Supplement their diet and make sure they get those extra nutrients they need to continue being the star of the show.

And don't forget to visit your local vet for their medical check-ups, vaccinations, deworming, and the best recommendations, including information on sterilization and specific care according to their breed, stage, and lifestyle; this ensures they are healthy and protected against viruses and parasites and prevents diseases.

Did you know...? Curious facts that will surprise you

• Super sense of smell: They have between 125 and 300 million olfactory receptors (we only have 5 million!). The Bloodhound breed has the most powerful sense of smell of all.
• Brilliant minds: Living with a canine of great mental acuity involves unique challenges in their education and stimulation. The Border Collie leads the ranking of canine intelligence, closely followed by Poodles and German Shepherds, all of whom require constant toys and challenges to keep their minds occupied.
• Natural therapists: They perceive childhood sadness before adults do. They are experts in comfort! Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are among the most affectionate, patient, tolerant, and protective breeds with children.
• Natural coat: Nordic and mountain breeds like the Samoyed or the Alaskan Malamute have a double coat of hair that protects them from the cold.
• Digging instinct: Those breeds created for catching subterranean prey, such as Fox Terriers or the iconic Dachshunds (our beloved sausages), have a genetic inclination to dig holes in the garden or insistently scratch their resting areas and furniture. They are also very agile and require a lot of activity.
• Steel genetics: Mixed-breed or unique-breed dogs often have great physical and genetic disease resistance!

⭐ Read here the 5 Myths about dogs that we have accepted as truth

https://waggys.pet/blogs/waggys-blog/no-lo-vas-a-creer-5-mitos-sobre-perros-que-hemos-aceptado-como-verdad-pero-que-dice-la-ciencia

A life by your side

Having a dog is much more than feeding them; it's sharing life with someone who loves you unconditionally and who celebrates your return as if it were a party. They teach us the purity of loyalty and the joy of simplicity. Without them, our lives would be much quieter and less colorful. Thank you for choosing to be their hero every day, for taking care of them, and for understanding that their happiness is, in reality, ours. Happy day to all those companions who make us better people!

References

1. INEGI. (2025). Presenta INEGI resultados de la primera Encuesta Nacional de Bienestar Autorreportado (ENBIARE) 2025. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. INEGI. https://www.inegi.org.mx/contenidos/saladeprensa/boletines/2026/enbiare/ENBIARE2025_RR.pdf
2. Kowalczyk-Jabłońska, I., Jundziłł-Bogusiewicz, P., & Kaleta, T. (2026). The Role of Olfaction in Dogs: Evolution, Biology, and Human-Oriented Work. Animals: an open access journal from MDPI, 16(3), 427. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16030427
3. Abel, G. M. (21 de julio de 2024). El Día del Perro tiene un triste y doloroso origen. National Geographic España. https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/mundo-animal/cuando-y-por-que-se-celebra-dia-perro_20336
4. Día Mundial del Perro: Celebración y Concienciación. (2024, June 26). Purina.es. https://www.purina.es/encuentra-mascota/razas-de-perro/dia-mundial-perro
5. Yucatán, R. A. (19 de julio de 2025). Este 21 de Julio. ¡Es el Día Mundial del Perro! Gob.Mx. https://www.gob.mx/agricultura/yucatan/articulos/este-21-de-julio-es-el-dia-mundial-del-perro
6. Otranto, D., Dantas-Torres, F., Mihalca, A. D., Traub, R. J., Lappin, M., & Baneth, G. (2017). Zoonotic parasites of sheltered and stray dogs in the era of the global economic and political crisis. Trends in Parasitology, 33(10), 813–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2017.05.013