5 Fun Facts About Puppies For National Puppy Day (March 23)

Even if you can't adopt a puppy on National Puppy Day, March 23, there are still ways you can help the offspring of man's best friend. Try these ideas that will bring a smile to your face!

Think … puppies! Cute, tail-wagging, adorable little puppies. There, you’ve got a smile on your face now, right? In honor of National Puppy Day, March 23rd, we explore how turning to those little balls of fluff can help us weather the storm.

History of Puppy Day

National Puppy Day’s goal is to not only celebrate the offspring of man’s best friend but to encourage people to adopt puppies. It was also founded to create awareness of, and put an end to, the cruel practice of puppy mills and farms, and encourages people to “Adopt. Don’t Shop.”

5 Fun Facts About Puppies

Litter of puppies sleeping on white fur.
Puppies! Happy National Puppy Day.

Here are some fun facts you may not have known about these adorable creatures.

  1. Puppies spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping, which helps develop their brain, bodies, and immune system. In comparison, human babies spend about 16 hours a day sleeping.
  2. Puppies are toothless until they are about 4 weeks old. Their hearing and vision aren’t fully developed until this time as well.
  3. Researchers have discovered that looking at pictures of puppies can actually help you focus better.
  4. Puppies start their canine vocalization at around 3 weeks of age, with full barks at around 16 weeks.
  5. They have all their adult teeth by the time they’re 6 months old.
A cat and puppy friendship.
Looking at pictures of puppies can help you focus. You’re welcome!

Ways To Celebrate National Puppy Day

Even if you can’t adopt a puppy, there are still many ways you can help puppies—on Puppy Day or any day!

Be A Virtual Volunteer

Man with a baseball cap holding a puppy.

Spring is a time when animal shelters are especially in need of volunteers, as they tend to see an increase in the amount of puppies during this time. And volunteering doesn’t have to be an in-person event. You might not be able to play with the puppies, but you will still be helping them.

For example, if your local shelter is cutting back on volunteer hours and public admissions, there are things you can do from home, like spread the word on social media. Share infographics that encourage spay and neuter programs, as well as pictures and stories of new puppies up for adoption.

If you’re an accounting whiz or have other business expertise and you’re willing to donate your time, contact your local shelter and ask what you can do to help from home. Start by filling out an online application on their web site (don’t show up unannounced).

Be A Foster Mom or Dad

Cute beagle puppies eating food from bowls at home.
Cute beagle puppies eating food from bowls at home

If you can’t adopt a puppy right now, but can open your home to a pet in need temporarily, fostering is a good option. It’s not only rewarding, but it helps shelters free up space for other dogs. Fostering allows you to get some fun one-on-one time with puppies while teaching them socialization, potty training, and basic commands. A puppy that’s mastered these basic skills is more likely to be adopted. Contact your local shelter about how to get started fostering.

Donate

Many shelters have put an end to donations of blankets and sheets for the time being, but they’re always looking for canned food, bagged dry food, unused toys, bowls, and other supplies. Or consider starting a supply drive: ask your local shelter what they most need, and then email friends and neighbors to see if they’ve got extra canned food they can leave on doorsteps in bags. When things return to normal, a neighborhood supply drive is a fun way for kids to get involved helping animals.

Dog food metallic cans on colored background.

Share Smiles With Your Puppy Photos!

Visit our Facebook page and share your puppy photos with us and the rest of our fans for smiles all around!

Fun Facts about Dogs

Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Programs – ASPCA

VolunteerMatch – Matches you with your perfect opportunity!

Find a local shelter near you.

Need to rehome a pet?

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This article was published by the staff at Farmers' Almanac. Do you have a question or an idea for an article? Contact us!

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Amy

Dose any one a need Aussie full blooded puppy’s they are all ready to go if you go call Diana Parsons (502)612-0719 thanks

Amy

They all so cute I want them all and the good things about dogs is they udon’t talk back like we do

Mander

Mine do. LOL

Kimberly Buen

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