National Purebred Dog Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
The American Kennel Club identifies 1 May as National Purebred Dog Day and its May 2026 Gazette explicitly celebrates the date.
About National Purebred Dog Day
National Purebred Dog Day is observed on May 1 to recognize the heritage, diversity and predictable traits associated with purpose-bred dogs.
The observance was created in 2013 by writer and Puli fancier Susi Szeremy and is supported by organizations including the American Kennel Club.
Why National Purebred Dog Day matters
The day focuses on the history and working purposes of established dog breeds, including service, search-and-rescue, herding, guarding and companionship.
Its creator frames the observance as an educational counterpoint within wider conversations about responsible dog ownership; it does not diminish the value of mixed-breed dogs.
History of National Purebred Dog Day
Susi Szeremy’s official National Purebred Dog Day site says she created the observance in 2013.
Colorado became the first U.S. state to recognize May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day by joint resolution on March 10, 2015.
The American Kennel Club continues to mark May 1 and has supported later recognition efforts.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Susi Szeremy
The creator-owned site and AKC both identify Susi Szeremy as the person who created National Purebred Dog Day in 2013.
Susi Szeremy / National Purebred Dog Day initiative
National Purebred Dog Day campaign creation
Colorado became the first U.S. state to recognize May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day.
Colorado General Assembly · House Joint Resolution 15-1015
National Purebred Dog Day / Susi Szeremy
The creator-owned site remains active and maintains the observance and its educational material.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe National Purebred Dog Day
Learn why particular breeds were developed and what historical work they performed.
Use reputable breed-club and veterinary resources when comparing temperament, health and care needs.
Recognize responsible breeding, ownership, rescue and welfare practices without treating ancestry as a measure of an individual dog’s worth.
Share accurate breed history or working-dog stories from trustworthy sources.
National Purebred Dog Day Facts
National Purebred Dog Day is observed on May 1.
Susi Szeremy created the observance in 2013.
Colorado became the first state to recognize the day in 2015.
American Kennel Club material supports the observance and its educational purpose.
The reviewed sources do not establish an exact first public observance date in 2013 or explain why May 1 was originally selected.
National Purebred Dog Day Messages
Happy National Purebred Dog Day to everyone celebrating the history, work and companionship of purpose-bred dogs.
May National Purebred Dog Day inspire thoughtful learning about breed heritage, health and responsible ownership.
Celebrating National Purebred Dog Day with appreciation for the people who preserve breed history and care for dogs responsibly.
Wishing dog lovers a meaningful National Purebred Dog Day grounded in education, welfare and responsible care.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Colorado General Assembly subject index — HJR15-1015 National Purebred Dog Day May 1 (opens in a new tab)
American Kennel Club — creator history (opens in a new tab)
National Purebred Dog Day — About (opens in a new tab)
AKC Gazette — May 2026 (opens in a new tab)
First Party Current Edition
American Kennel Club — National Purebred Dog Day (opens in a new tab)
First Party Recognition
American Kennel Club — National Purebred Dog Day recognition (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Purebred Dog Day?
1 May The documented recurrence rule is: 1 May.
Does National Purebred Dog Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Purebred Dog Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / dog-community recognition. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Purebred Dog Day?
The reviewed sources identify Susi Szeremy / National Purebred Dog Day initiative as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Susi Szeremy. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as National Purebred Dog Day / Susi Szeremy.
Is National Purebred Dog Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / dog-community recognition.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-09.
When is National Purebred Dog Day?
It is observed on May 1.
Who created National Purebred Dog Day?
Writer and Puli fancier Susi Szeremy created the observance in 2013.
Is National Purebred Dog Day a federal holiday?
No. It is an awareness observance that has received recognition from some state and federal lawmakers, not a permanent federal public holiday.
Other observances on May 1
These observances are also listed on May 1, 2027.
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Museum Wales and Wales.com identify Calan Mai on 1 May as a traditional Welsh seasonal celebration associated with the beginning of summer and regionally varied folk customs.
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