Black dogs are just as affectionate and playful as any others, but a strange phenomenon has given them a bad break when it comes to dog rescues. Animal shelters and rescue groups notice this "black dog syndrome" interferes with these dogs getting adopted.
Perhaps the biggest reason for this phenomenon is that blag dogs, especially large ones, are considered scary. While the dog's color has no effect on its temperament, for some reason many people are more afraid of a black dog.
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Black dogs are also at a disadvantage when being pictured on pet adoption websites. They don’t usually photograph as well as lighter-colored dogs, and people can’t see the full details of a black dog the way they see multi-colored or white dogs.
Shelters and rescue groups that have realized this phenomenon sometimes try to dress up black dogs with colorful ribbons or clothing to make them stand out in pictures.
There’s also the problem of a black dog or cat being viewed as spooky, evil, or bad luck. This may only be a subconscious response, but it still may hurt a black dog’s chances at adoption.
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People who adopt pets from a shelter have the satisfaction of knowing they saved a dog. You can also get extra satisfaction by adopting a black dog that has difficulty finding the home it needs. Many black dogs are quite beautiful and make wonderful pets.
If you happen to be looking for a dog at a shelter, keep in mind the black dog syndrome, and how you can play a role in saving these dogs by looking at them closely instead of passing them by unconsciously. Sometimes black dogs don’t get the credit they deserve because of badly lit kennels that don’t capture their beauty.
You can help draw attention to black dog syndrome by adopting a black dog or spreading the word about their plight.
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