International Dog Day: Top five paw-some facts

Dog owners, it's time to give your pooch some extra cuddles!

International Dog Day is held on 26 August every year, created in 2004 by pet lifestyle expert and author Colleen Paige, to bring awareness to the condition of animals and to encourage adoption.

The aim of the day is to help people take better care of their pets and make more responsible choices when it comes to getting or looking after a dog.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the day and the organisers have suggested 20 ways to celebrate, including taking your dog out for a walk, adopting a dog or donating blankets to a local rescue centre.

The day hopes to educate anyone thinking of getting a dog about how important it is to go to an animal shelter or pet store that looks after the dogs well.

Colleen who created the day, also started National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and National Cat Day.

If you're a dog lover you might feel like you know a lot about dogs, but keep reading to see if your knowledge is at pet-expert level or a little 'woof' around the edges.

We'd also love to know how much you adore your dogs, so head to the comments below and let us know.

1. Dogs can help us relieve stress

Studies show that when you stroke a dog your body releases a hormone that helps us to relax and relieves stress, which also lowers our blood pressure.

If you have a dog maybe you can try it out right now!

2. They have a fantastic sense of smell

According to vet charity PDSA, the "area of cells in the brain that detect different smells is around 40 times larger in dogs than humans".

This means dogs can smell much more than we can and explains why they are often used as sniffer dogs in the police force.

3. Many of them have jobs

Dogs are so super, lots are trained to help humans.

Some work as guide dogs, assistance dogs or work with the fire brigade or police.

4. They can learn about 100 words

Studies have found dogs can learn around 100 words and gestures.

Many owners teach their pets tricks or commands.

5. Dogs sweat too

It's a bit different to humans but they'll cool themselves down by panting or sweating through their paws.