Not everyone has an energetic personality, a lifestyle that allows for daily trips to the dog park, or a love of hiking with a dog running the trails alongside them. Some people want the companionship of a pet, but perhaps health issues, a tiring job, or an introverted personality mean the best kind of pet for them is calm, low maintenance, and enjoys cuddles more than dog parks. This doesn't mean a dog isn't the right pet for them, but they need to choose the breed carefully.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners.” And as a dog lover, you likely share that belief. While the statement isn’t inherently wrong, it is far too simplistic. Dogs, like people, have unique personalities, traits, and genetic makeups. Each one is unique, and most have both positive and negative qualities.

National Mutt Day, also known as National Mixed Breed Dog Day, was established in 2005 to celebrate mixed-breed dogs and raise awareness of the high number of them awaiting adoption in shelters across the country. Recognized on July 31 and December 2 every year, National Mutt Day is all about embracing and saving mixed breeds, which represent 80 percent of dogs in shelters.

It’s time to make the word “mutt” keep you from turning up your nose and, instead, let that term roll off your tongue with fondness. And dare we say, mutts are “in”, for whatever that’s worth. Mutts, or mixed breeds, are among the most popular dog breeds. Of course, this is because designer breeds (think Goldendoodles and Labradoodles) are all the rage but, really, a mutt can be the mix of any dog breeds.