Dog Handler's Day in 2025: date, beautiful postcards and greetings

Every year on June 21, Russian dog breeders celebrate their professional holiday — Dog Handler's Day. In 2024, it falls on a Friday. Izvestia tells about the history and traditions of this significant date.

When is the day of the Dog Handler in 2025

The history of the cynological festival began in 1906 in St. Petersburg. Then the head of the detective department of the police, Viktor Lebedev, came up with an innovative proposal for the Russian Empire — to use dogs to catch criminals and search for dangerous substances. The police officer was inspired to introduce this practice by a working trip to Belgium, during which he visited the service kennel.

In the autumn of 1907, Lebedev demonstrated the work of four-legged detectives to colleagues and citizens at an exhibition in the Mikhailovsky Manege. At the same time, German Shepherds were introduced to the Russian public for the first time. In October of the following year, the first All-Russian tests of police dogs were held, which were attended by high-ranking officials.

In a short time, the "friends of man" proved their effectiveness in combating lawbreakers, and in 1909 the country's first kennel of detective dogs was opened in the Northern Capital. He also had a training school, the most famous graduate of which was the Doberman Pinscher of Clubs. During his life, he solved about 1.5 thousand crimes and starred in several educational films about the work of detective dogs.

In the first three years, the training school trained about 300 dog handlers and 400 tailed investigators. Animals began to be involved in investigations in more than 50 provinces. At the same time, the first kennel for military field dogs was established on the basis of the Izmailovsky Guards Regiment.

During the First World War, service dogs proved themselves to be reliable rescuers and guards. They also participated in the Great Patriotic War. The animals found the wounded, delivered small loads, guarded camps, pointed out mines, caught saboteurs and blew up enemy tanks.

In 2004, by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, a professional holiday was established — the Day of the Cynological units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The opening day of the first kennel for service dogs, June 21, 1909, was chosen as the date for it. Initially, the celebration was celebrated only by employees of various departments, but after a while they were joined by civilian dog breeders. Subsequently, for brevity, the holiday was called simply Dog Handler's Day.

Congratulations on the Day of the dog handler in prose

The celebration is primarily celebrated by military dog handlers, as well as specialists working in the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Demonstrations and competitions among experienced dog breeders are held on this day. Those who distinguished themselves in the service are awarded honorary awards, and their four-legged charges receive their favorite treats.

Civilian kennel clubs hold open training sessions for the holiday, arrange promotions for new clients or make discounts on the first classes. The media talks about the history of famous trainers and service dogs.

Happy Dog Handler's Day pictures and postcards

On Cynologist's Day, congratulations are accepted by all specialists who have connected their lives with the upbringing and training of dogs for any needs, whether they are guide dogs or police bloodhounds. Do not forget about the "friends of man" — they also deserve attention on the holiday.

A good gift for the culprits of the celebration will be a supply of dog treats, a new toy or ammunition. It is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the pet: possible food allergies, size, character, etc. The specialist may also be interested in literature on the upbringing of dogs or the history of his favorite breed.

Earlier, Izvestia told how Border Guard Day is celebrated in Russia and what traditions are associated with this holiday.