International Doodle Dog Day 2023 🐾 7 Ways to Celebrate

Are you ready? International Doodle Dog Day is May 1, 2023. What do you have planned?

No need to go into zoomie mode trying to figure out how to celebrate with your Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, or other Doodle dogs. We’ve got this.

My own Goldendoodle puppers and I put our hands and paws to the keyboard to track down what’s planned for International Doodle Dog Day, how you can celebrate with your Doodle dog, and the meaning and history behind this celebration.

What is International Doodle Dog Day?

A relatively new pet day, International Doodle Dog Day celebrates Poodle mixes such as Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and Aussiedoodles.

The day shines a light on Doodle dogs, and is also an opportunity for Doodle parents to meet other pet parents, get together, and swap pet parenting stories.

Of course, the highlight is bonding with your Doodle dog, so they have the best day ever.

International Doodle Dog Day is one of many 2023 pet holidays and awareness days.

In previous years, the official date moved around and has been held in September.

However, the National Today calendar has now officially recorded the date as May 1 for 2023. Also, according to National Today, May 1 will continue to be the official day through 2026.

International Doodle Dog Day

Next, check out this table below of at-a-glance information specifically about International Doodle Dog Day.

Event	International Doodle Dog Day (IDDD)
Date	May 1, 2023
For	All types of Doodle dogs and their humans
Why	Celebration of all Poodle mixes of dogs worldwide
Location	Some communities have celebrations planned
Created by	Ripley & Rue
Social Media	#internationaldoodledogday

History

Ripley and Rue (a brand of edgy merch for dogs and dog parents founded by Jeannie North) is credited with starting International Doodle Dog Day.

The first official celebration was held in 2017. According to one article about the founder and the dog holiday, events have been held in over 75 cities including Melbourne, Australia.

Next, let’s get some clarity around some other days that you may be searching for.

National Doodle Day

It’s important to point out that there is also an unrelated National Doodle Day held each year in September.

This day is not associated with International Doodle Dog day or even with dogs.

National Doodle Day highlights the art form of doodling—a casual style of drawing or sketching by hand. Celebrated in September, the official day was established in 2004 by Epilepsy Action to raise funds for epilepsy treatment and research.

National Goldendoodle Dog Day

For my Goldendoodle loving friends, you may be wondering whether there is a National Goldendoodle Day specifically.

After scouring social media and the internet, there does not seem to be a National Goldendoodle Day at this time. Goldendoodle enthusiasts are celebrating their dogs on International Doodle Dog Day.

Labradoodle Day

Similarly, there is not an official Labradoodle Dog Day. Labradoodle parents celebrate their dogs on International Doodle Dog Day.

What is a Doodle dog?

Next, you may be curious what the term “Doodle dog” means. How do you define what constitutes a Doodle dog?

“Doodle dog” is a broad, all-encompassing term used to describe dogs who have a Poodle as one parent and another purebred dog as the other parent.

Basically, a Doodle dog is a cross between a Poodle and another breed. As one example, a Poodle parent and a Golden Retriever parent have an offspring.

The offspring is then part Golden Retriever and part Poodle.

The broad term to describe the offspring is Doodle dog. In this example, the name commonly given to this type of Doodle dog is Goldendoodle or Groodle. Goldendoodles (Poodle x Golden Retriever) are the most popular type of Doodle dog.

Other types of Doodle dogs include Labradoodles, Aussiedoodles, and Bernedoodles. For more facts, pictures, and information, check out my ultimate guide to Doodle dogs.

7 ways to celebrate International Doodle Dog Day

So, now that you know the “whats” and “whens” about International Doodle Dog Day, let’s talk about the “how.” How can you celebrate Doodle Dog Day?

Here are seven idea starters to get the creative juices flowing…

#1 Plan a day together with your Doodle dog.

Before the day gets here, why not plan out a list of things to do with your dog that you’ll both love? You could even make some easy yogurt dog treats ahead of time to have during the day. Dog enrichment ideas can also be a highlight of the day for your dog.

#2 Take your dog on a sniffari.

Want to nose out some joy for your doggo? How about going on a sniffari dog walk? Also known as decompression walks, sniffaris are dog walks that allow your dog to walk and explore with the purpose of sniffing rather than getting to a destination.

#3 Organize a local Doodle Dog Day event in your community.

According to RipleyandRue.com, anyone can organize an International Doodle Dog Day event. It could be held on the actual day or at a later date for more attendance, better weather, etc. Previously, there have been IDDD events held in over 75 cities. Activities have included group photos, pooch parades, Doodle meetups, and donations to rescue organizations.

#4 Share your favorite dog story on social media.

What’s your favorite, funniest, or happiest story or memory from your journey through Doodlehood (Doodle parenthood)? IDDD is a good day to share it, and use hashtag #internationaldoodledogday so other enthusiasts can enjoy your story too.

#5 Or, start your dog’s own social media account.

Don’t have a social media account for your Doodle dog? IDDD could be the day to start one.

According to a research study by SWNS media, one-third of pet owners have a separate social media account for their pets. If you have a new puppy in your pack, adding a social media account is a great way to connect with other dog enthusiasts.

Say hi to us here!

Instagram @happygodoodle.

Facebook @happygodoodle

#6 Consider donating to a local rescue, charitable organization, or Doodle rescue organization.

Whether you’re attending a Doodle meetup or hanging out with your own pupper, you may be interested in contributing your time, money, or even dog supplies to a rescue or shelter organization.

If this sounds like you and you’re not sure where to start, you may want to check out IDOG rescue or Doodle Rescue Collective. Also, of course, you may already have a rescue organization that is near and dear to your heart.

#7 Visit with new or experienced Doodle parents.

Lastly, if you’re considering adopting a Doodle dog, it’s smart to do your homework first. With rising popularity, comes an increasing number of scams and misinformation.

Protecting the future of Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and Doodle dogs means finding a reputable breeder or shelter, sorting out the hype from the facts (don’t fall for gimmicks), and learning about the temperaments of the parents and the parent breeds.

If there is a Doodle event going on in your city, you can visit with pet parents, get real-life accounts of Doodlehood, and ask questions.

Also, you can check out my comprehensive list of Goldendoodle pros and cons and my article on Goldendoodles vs Labradoodles.

Ultimately, puppies of all breeds and types require heaps of time, attention, love, and positive parenting skills.

Happy Doodle Dog Day!

Remember to mark your calendar for International Doodle Dog Day on May 1, 2023, and celebrate this day with your beloved Doodle dog.

Whether you enjoy a low-key day with your pupper or head out to a Doodle romp or event, giving your dog the best day ever is the ultimate happiness.