Father’s Day is just around the corner, a day set aside to celebrate all the father figures in our lives for always being there for us. A special group of dads can call themselves Dog Dads, and their only children aren’t just of the two-legged variety.
There’s something incredibly special about the bond between a man and his dog. A dog is always there to listen to his problems without judgment, provide a friend when a friend is sorely needed, and is his instant buddy for any activity.
Father’s Day for dog dads explores the true meaning of “Man’s Best Friend.” Not surprisingly, National Dog Dad Day is June 15 to celebrate dog dads nationwide. Dads cherish the companionship their four-legged friends bring to their lives, so help dads feel loved with these ways to celebrate Father’s Day for dog dads this Sunday.
Famous Dog Dads Making a Difference
These famous personalities have gone above and beyond to spread their love of dogs to their mass audiences. We’ve featured three well-known dog dad figures to highlight how they show their appreciation for furbabies.
Bob Barker poses with Howard, best known as Lassie, on a 2003 flight to L.A. Image courtesy of Cliff Lipscomb & CBS Photo Archive
Bob Barker
TV personality Bob Barker used his platform as the iconic host of “The Price is Right” to infuse his passion for people to spay and neuter their pets to avoid animals ending up in shelters. Barker ended each episode with, "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered," which became a beloved mantra. Over the years, Barker loved 11 different dogs. He passed away at age 99 but not before donating millions to animal welfare causes and organizations.
Chris Evans
When Captain America isn’t busy leading the Avengers, defeating Red Skull, and helping retrieve the Tesseract, he’s actually a dog lover in real life. Famous actor Chris Evans has a beloved rescue dog named Dodger and uses his platform to bring attention to rescue dogs through his brand ambassador status for Jinx, a premium dog food company. Evans told Forbes Magazine in 2023, “Well, dogs are just so pure, aren’t they? It’s so tough to figure out where to put your energy and focus because there are so many worthy causes, but there’s just something about dogs. They give so much, they ask so little in return and they’re just so pure.”
Bradley Cooper
As proud dog dad to a few dogs, including German Shorthaired Pointer Samson, Chow/Retriever mix Charlotte, and a Labradoodle Charlie, actor and filmmaker Bradley Cooper is no stranger to advocacy for animal actors. He chose to cast Charlie in his 2018 film, A Star is Born, instead of a dog from a notorious animal acting company so that Charlie would naturally create a bond on screen with the main characters since he was already familiar with Cooper. PETA was so impressed with Cooper’s efforts that they presented him the Compassion in Film Award, citing that his “kind decision sets a precedent for all of Hollywood to follow.”
12 Ways to Celebrate Dog Dads This Father’s Day
Reinforcing the bond between a dad and his puppy is paramount to building trust over the years. Your favorite dad figure can choose from endless activities to spend time with his pooch. Consider providing these opportunities to celebrate dog dads this Father’s Day beyond a regular game of fetch. The pawsibilities are endless!
- Take his puppy camping
- Make a toy for his puppy
- Take his puppy disc golfing
- Explore nature and go on a hike
- Eat lunch at a dog-friendly cafe
- Teach his puppy funny dog tricks
- Get together with other dog dads
- Visit a dog bakery to pick out a treat
- Participate in a dog sports competition
- Check out a Bark in the Park baseball game
- Snuggle up and watch The Dogfather, Air Bud, and other dog-related movies
- Grab a pint at a dog-friendly brewery offering non-alcoholic dog beer for your puppy
Dog Gifts For Your Pawesome Dad
Wondering how to incorporate your favorite puppy for gifts to give dog dads on Father’s Day? We have a variety of suggestions from DIY gifts to storebought products that will help him express his love for his pooch.
Pets First NFL Dog T-Shirt
Is your dad a fan of the NFL and is also Team Puppy? Does he cheer loud enough to make the windows rattle when his favorite team scores a touchdown? Now his pup can help him celebrate victories with a matching Pets First NFL Dog T-Shirt to show off his team spirit. Made of high-quality materials and with the team and logo printed on the front, no one will mistake who the Father-doggy duo roots for. The jersey is officially licensed by the NFL for an authentic touch.
Etched “Dogfather” Whiskey Rocks Glass by Daddy Factory
Badda-bing! Speaking of watching The Dogfather, your dad will need something to drink to get him through all the drama! With a name like Daddy Factory, this company is sure to produce amazing gifts for dads. They did not disappoint with their etched Dogfather whiskey rocks glass. Holding 10.5 oz., this dishwasher-safe glass is permanently engraved so the design won’t chip off. When Dad is all done making his way through all three films with your dog snoozing next to him on the couch, he can pop it in the dishwasher instead of having to handwash the glass.
Photo Dog And Face Hawaiian Shirt by Gecko Custom
You may have seen these ads all over your social media feeds for the Photo Dog And Face Hawaiian Shirt by Gecko Custom. We’re not mad about repeated exposure because how fabulous is this custom Hawaiian shirt with images of your dad’s dog? Celebrate their love of being a dog dad by letting them display their beloved pet for all to see. Not only can you select a shirt, but you can also order sweatpants, pajamas, an ornament, and more. You can choose up to five images for other pets and people and customize the colors of your background, flowers, and leaves. And with a collar, you can still stay business casual while infusing a bit of fun into events.
Pawsome Paw Print Gifts
Some people are fans of DIY dog gifts for Father’s Day because there is such a wide range of gifts to create. If you don’t know where to start, consider incorporating your puppy’s paw print into your creations with puppy paw print keepsakes. You could make air dry clay puppy paw prints for a paperweight or ornament, an abstract painting, a house plant pot, tile coasters for his Dogfather glass, and more. Make sure to use non-toxic, pet-friendly supplies.
Custom Pet Portrait Painting
You don’t have to be Paw-casso to create a thoughtful, unique pet portrait painting. However, you don’t have to do it on your own! Find a local pet portrait painting party with an instructor who will guide you through the painting process. You’ll leave with a fantastic, personalized gift to give your favorite pet dad. Whether you give a gift card for their own painting session or present a ready-made portrait, Dad is sure to cherish the gift for years to come.
Give the Ultimate Gift This Father’s Day: A Pawrade Puppy!
If your Father’s Day gifts are awesome but lack that one element that will send Dad over the moon, consider Pawrade puppies for sale. Whether he’s looking for a laid-back mascot like an English Bulldog puppy or a smart, active German Shepherd puppy, we have puppies to suit all personalities and lifestyles.
