Black Dogs Don't Get Adopted. Please help.

[JohannBessler]

I found a depressing statistic on the Internet last night.

It seems that our lovable canine friends--the black-coated ones--seldom get adopted. In fact, most often, they end up on the table, getting euthanized.

No one knows the reason for this phenomenon, but it has become so prevalent that they've given it a name--The Black Dog Syndrome.

It seems especially unfortunate that many of these dogs have Labrador Retriever blood--consistently voted the warmest, most friendly dog.

So if you have reached that point in your life where you want a best friend to love, please consider adopting a black dog.

http://www.thebark.com/content/black...choice-shelter

[G-Lexington]

Same problem with black cats, actually.

Lex

[BENDERBOY]

Thats such a shame.

[PreTTy PeTe]

you made me sad.

but I have one dog and can't adopt another right now.

but it's true I adopted my jack russell because he was so cute.

[CowboyBob]

I adopted a black dog from the humane society... 1/2 black lab and 1/2 chow. Black eyes, black fur even a black tongue. She's sweet and loyal. The poor thing was an abandoned stray living a hardscrabble life out in the country. I've had her for 6 years now and has a pampered life.

[borg69unimatrix]

My black cat was a stray that I took in... BEST thing that ever happened to me.
He's about the coolest cat I've ever seen/known... and I'm not just saying that cause he's mine - All my friends and family love him to death, and think so too.

[refujiunderground]

smh. why people hate black so much for? ain't nothing wrong with black.

[BENDERBOY]

I love black pudding.

[JohannBessler]

Same problem with black cats, actually.

Lex

Exactly, correct, Lex. If anything, black cats get it worse, due to some silly old religious superstitions.

Fortunately (for them), the gene pool produced a lower percentage of black cats than black dogs, so I don't think you see the problem in such high numbers.

But you catlovers--if you do see a black kitty at the shelter, please be kind and consider adopting. You will certainly save a life.

[borg69unimatrix]

smh. why people hate black so much for? ain't nothing wrong with black.

I think it's because a lot of people are superstitious, and see black dogs and cats as being related to Satan, and Witches.

Also, being all black, they're not as bright and colorful and "happy" looking. No contrasting colors to make them stand out or show off their facial expressions. Humans I think are still genetically programmed to avoid the shadows to not get eaten by wild animals.

Black cats and dogs remind them psychologically of evil things lurking in the dark waiting to attack them.

... just my opinion.

[Corny]

My black cat was a stray that I took in... BEST thing that ever happened to me.
He's about the coolest cat I've ever seen/known... and I'm not just saying that cause he's mine - All my friends and family love him to death, and think so too.

He's so derpy

[xbuzzerx]

I had absolutely no idea such a bias existed, that's terrible. I knew Pit Bulls had a bad reputation and that many dog owners avoid them like the plague, but I didn't know about color bias.

[borg69unimatrix]

He's so derpy

"derpy" ???

[Benvolio]

I don't think people hate black, they just prefer colors. The blond color of labs and others is very popular.

[Kiwils]

Aww, that's a shame. I love border collies, which are usually black. That'll be the next dog I get. I like to go for breed before color.

[Beachguyj]

The greatest dog I ever met was all black, in fact the whole breed is all the same, black with tan markings, the Rottweiler.

Here is a picture of one from online when it's a puppy,

[Coward92]

This thing is actually true. I always dreamed of a Husky and a white kitten.

[loki81]

Also, being all black, they're not as bright and colorful and "happy" looking. No contrasting colors to make them stand out or show off their facial expressions.

I think that's probably it... brightly/multicolored animals probably come across as more happy when you've only got a minute to get to know the dog.

and black Rots in general are probably super hard to get rid of at a shelter.

[cgymike]

^plus a lot of people think they are too aggressive like Dobermans...also hip problems....

[Audio Tech]

I knew that black Cats generally don't get adopted... I have one, she's..... interesting.... typical black cat, all right. (Stuck up little princess)

But didn't know that about Dogs.

[GiancarloC]

I would adopt a black dog... my first dog was a black lab/Australian cattle dog mix... she was the nicest dog. People have their messed up ideas. =/

[FPNY]

And they're hard to keep clean, they show all the dust....

[youfiad]

There should never be a reason that you have to put a dog up for adoptioni or that we even have adoption... I would adopt every dog in the country if I had the resources..

[looseliam]

Black fur would be less visible on black pants. Win-win for me, I think.

There should never be a reason that you have to put a dog up for adoptioni or that we even have adoption... I would adopt every dog in the country if I had the resources..

Oh, g-d, that's why I can't go anywhere near puppies - shelters, stores, et al. Were I to do so, I'd come home with a bakers dozen puppies. And then I would have to cuddle them all and miss work because of the cuddling, it'd be awful.

[maxpowr9]

I've been coaching my friend with her black lab because the bitch is teething hardcore and gnawing on all her furniture.

I feel bad resorting to the can but she needs to learn.

[loki81]

There should never be a reason that you have to put a dog up for adoptioni or that we even have adoption... I would adopt every dog in the country if I had the resources..

I dunno, not all pets are right for every household (not to mention pets whose owners died, run-aways, strays, rescues, etc)

one of my friends owns two pugs and loves them to death. the dogs are amazing with their kids... but a couple months ago, they adopted a third, who snapped at one of their kids within the first couple weeks of being brought into the household. what choice did they really have but to take the dog back to the shelter? you can't have a dog in your house that you can't trust around your kids.

[CupidBoy]

Anyone who wouldn't adopt a dog just because it's black is a real knucklehead. What a pity.

[G-Lexington]

I have an American Bombay cat. He has all the trappings - jet black, very agile, very affectionate, somewhat over-vocal - but thankfully isn't the chowhound that Bombays can be. I also have some issues with him "marking", but I'm willing to deal with the clean-up in exchange for the massive amount of snuggling I get.

Lex

[Hard-up1]

Or people could just have their preferences. Brown dresses don't sell, and I doubt it's rooted in anything untoward.

Assuming it is superstition seems speculative. Black dogs and cats probably just look more menacing when they stare. Puppies probably don't face the same challenge that grown dogs do.

It's a shame animals breed in such numbers, and that people get pets on impulse when they lead to early deaths in shelters. There's a fine line between soft headed and soft hearted. There are wayyyy too many pets in North America. It results in wasted food, labor, etc.

I have a cat and a dog, both rescues.

[Stoowii]

A former owner of a black Lab (passed from age), I can relate. His mother was yellow while his father was chocolate. He was the only black one from the litter. All puppies were available but I choose the odd one out.

[The Fly]

The only dogs I've ever owned were black, the most common for a doberman. My mom had always had red dobies because she thought the black ones just looked too sneaky.

[JohannBessler]

There should never be a reason that you have to put a dog up for adoptioni or that we even have adoption... I would adopt every dog in the country if I had the resources..

I've had that thought several times, youviad.

[eastofeden]

That is horrible ...and just because you told me this I will make sure I adopt a black dog as I plan to adopt one later this year.

I have had a black Cocker Spaniel and I had a HUGE Black Cat (his name was Jason)...he took up half the couch...and sometimes when people would come over they insisted I put him out because they were afraid of him.

[pat grimshaw]

…There's a fine line between soft headed and soft hearted. There are wayyyy too many pets in North America…

It's the same in the UK and my country. They spend more cash to pamper their animal friends than they do feeding the starving humans of the world
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rc...41934586,d.aGc

http://www.news.com.au/money/money-m...-1226151433811

[The Fly]

It's the same in the UK and my country. They spend more cash to pamper their animal friends than they do feeding the starving humans of the world
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rc...41934586,d.aGc

http://www.news.com.au/money/money-m...-1226151433811

Maybe we should feed all the extra pets to the starving humans........2birds1stone

[Corny]

"derpy" ???

[cgymike]

I wonder if white dogs have the same problem?

(Please anyone who says "racism" will be thrown to the dogs!)

[The_Reaper]

Sad indeed... I remember going to one of the shelters when I was feeling a little low, (my condo doesn't allow pets, but I was working on some potential angles that would allow the adoption [from my dog loving mother taking the dog in, to an in-city friend with a big backyard taking it in with a shared custody kind of agreement]).

I did find a dog that I absolutely adored, which was mostly black, but my potential angles fell through and I was able to take it past simply taking him out for a walk. It was a shame, since the attendant said that he had some abuse in his history and was slow to trust people, but he took to me instantly (a trait my mother shares with dogs as well).

I do wish I could have given him a good home; and I do find myself wondering/hoping that he managed to get adopted by someone who is looking after him now. I do know that the moment I am able to, (in that I move to a place where I can have a pet), I will head to the shelter and other animal "placement" services that exist.

I do also want to say though, while we're on the subject, that another group of animals that tend to get overlooked in pounds are the more elderly ones. I've seen some 12+ dogs in shelters, and it does break my heart knowing that most people will overlook these older dogs in favour of puppies or 2 - 4 year old dogs. Perhaps it's a question of having the dog for long, or worrying about other people's bad habits and training, but they need a good home as much as anyone else...

Well, I'm sounding more and more like my mother here, I'm a step away from wanting to buy an acreage and then adopting 20+ dogs to look after and let roam free on the land and such...