National Poodle Day 2024: Date, Origin, and Ways to Celebrate

Owners of poodles already know just how special and versatile this breed is. It seems like they can do anything! Poodles are available in sizes that range from tiny to huge. You’ll find them working as retrievers, in the show ring, and acting as service dogs. However, they are also happy to enjoy life as your best buddy. They can look frou-frou, or have a casual, short style. And poodles are known for their intelligence and trainability, all rolled up in a pretty package. The best news? You can celebrate them on National Poodle Day!

Poodle History

Poodles originate in Germany. They were bred to retrieve ducks and birds for their owners. Their name comes from the German word “pudel” or “pudelin”, meaning “to splash in the water”. And in France, the breed is called “Caniche”, which translates to “duck dog”. Poodle haircuts aren’t just for fashion but also have a function. The style protects their joints and organs while swimming in cold water. Whether they are toy, miniature, or standard, poodles are typically active and intelligent. They excel in dog competitions as well as make great service dogs. They’ve even run the Iditarod before!

When Is National Poodle Day?

Each year, the day falls sometime in early October. Celebrate the next National Poodle Day on October 5, 2024. 

How Did National Poodle Day Start?

This annual celebration of poodles big and small usually happens on the first Saturday of October. It’s an event in Carmel, California that gives owners and their furry friends a chance to have a fun day devoted to the breed. All of the proceeds of National Poodle Day go to NorCal Poodle Rescue. The rescue organization is over 39 years old and helps poodle and poodle mixes in Northern California and Southern Oregon find good homes.

Ways To Celebrate

Carmel, California is the site of the poodle-packed day, and there are a number of events held:

Poodle Parade: Poodles from all over come to prance and strut their stuff through the town. Costumes are encouraged, and there are even prizes given for the best costume. The parade is typically separated by the type of poodle. Toys, Miniatures, Standards, and mixed poodles all march with their grouping. 

Beach Play: The Carmel beach opens up to poodles of all sizes to run, play, and swim after the parade. Plus, owners get a chance to socialize and meet other poodle lovers.

Evening Events: The fun continues into the night for those who register for the event. There’s typically a poodle pizza party held the night before the parade, where people and their poodles can dine together in an outdoor courtyard. Then, the following night is filled with cocktail parties for both poodles and their devoted humans to enjoy.

If you aren’t able to travel to Carmel to join the event, you can celebrate National Poodle Day in your own way:

Organize a Poodle Playdate: Put a call out on social media for poodle owners to gather at a local dog park or other safe location for some poodle playtime.

Make Poodle Dog Treats: Find a poodle-shaped cookie cutter and an online dog treat recipe, and make your pup something special to celebrate the day.

Volunteer: Find a local poodle rescue and see how you can help out. Whether you walk dogs, clean cages, or foster, there are sure to be a number of ways you can give back to the poodle community!

Other Related Holidays

Luckily for breed lovers, there are other poodle-related holidays throughout the year. National Standard Poodle Day happens on January 6. While there aren’t official activities that take place that day, celebrate your Standard Poodle with any of the ideas above. International Doodle Dog Day typically happens on May 1. This holiday celebrates poodle mixes of all kinds, and there are usually local events to join.