My Friendly Pets

We would love to think that all dogs are attractive and loveable. But the reality is that some dogs don’t receive an equal amount of recognition or attention. In fact, some dogs are discriminated against, simply for the color of their coat. Yes, its true. There is a phenomenon in rescue circles that is known as “black dog syndrome” Meaning that dogs with black coats have a harder time being adopted or even noticed. And while no statistics exist to prove this fact, according to Kim Intino, director of animal sheltering issues for the Humane Society of the United States, people who work in shelters are aware of the disparity in the adoption numbers as they relate to black coat dogs.

According to Madeline Bernstein, the President of the SPCA of Los Angeles,”They’re the hardest to adopt out, they’re in the shelters the longest and therefore, they’re most likely to be euthanized if nothing happens,” That is a pretty sad reality. Bernstein feels that the snub to dogs with black coats is basically an unconscious thing from the public, as black cats seem to have some of the same problems. There is evidence in history that also gives black dogs a bad reputation. According to British folklore, stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sir Walter Scott used black dogs as figures that haunt cemeteries and serve as an omen of death. Winston Churchill suffered from serious episodes of depression and he referred to these episodes as “the black dog”.

Others just think that black dogs don’t stand out or they look older than they really are, so it detracts from the puppy appeal, making it harder for them to be adopted. Many shelter managers have been using techniques to make black dogs stand out either by dressing them in colored collars and bandanas or making the adoption more cost effective by cutting the fees on black coat dogs. It seems to work and crosses the mental line that people have with black dogs. So next time you want to adopt and see a black dog….take a second look…you might save that dog’s life!!! Beware of the black dog syndrome.

I don’t mean to date myself…but I strongly recommend reading the blog on reveiwing toys, Eliza Ferree…as it will bring back some pleasant memories!